Hello Lag~
Thank you for posting such an interesting question!
I was inclined to believe that many of these quotes were
inaccurate?-or at least not verifiable?-but I was wrong. In fact, each
quote is accurate and true to the original source. I have given only
one link verifying each quote (many of them from such news services as
CNN, the BBC, The Washington Times, etc.?sometimes even the
politician?s own website), but if you go to the links provided under
?Search Strategy,? you?ll find a host of other sources (some more
reliable than others) that also corroborate the quotes.
I leave you to judge for yourself whether the compilation of these
quotes is justified, though I personally find them compelling
additional evidence that just about everyone thought Iraq had WMD.
Regards,
Kriswrite
QUOTE #1: CORRECT
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to
develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them.
That is our bottom line." - President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998
A February 4, 1998 CNN story states: ?President Bill Clinton said
Wednesday that while the United States still prefers a diplomatic
solution to the current standoff with Iraq, ?one way or the other, we
are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass
destruction. That is our bottom line,? Clinton said, while attending a
White House event on education? (?Clinton: Iraq must comply 'one way
or the other'? CNN, http://www.cnn.com/US/9802/04/us.un.iraq/ )
QUOTE #2: CORRECT
"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is
clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's
weapons of mass destruction program." - President Clinton, Feb. 17,
1998
A February 18th story on CNN states: ??If Saddam rejects peace and we
have to use force, our purpose is clear,? Clinton said. ?We want to
seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass
destruction program. We want to seriously reduce his capacity to
threaten his neighbors.?? (?Clinton Faces Rocky Path In Iraq Crisis?
by Craig Staats, CNN,
http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/02/18/iraq.political.analysis/ )
QUOTE #3: CORRECT
"Iraq is a long way from [the USA], but what happens there matters a
great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will
use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies
is the greatest security threat we face." - Madeline Albright, Feb 18,
1998
An October 2, 2003 article on World Net Daily quotes: ?Madeline
Albright defended her boss, saying, ?Iraq is a long way from [here],
but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that
the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological
weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we
face.?? (?Learning from the pros? by Hal Lindsey, World Net Daily,
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=34894)
QUOTE #4: CORRECT
"He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten
times since 1983." - Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998
A 1999 USA Today article quoted: ??The lesson of the 20th century is,
and we've learned through harsh experience, the only answer to
aggression and outlaw behavior is firmness,? Berger said. ?He will use
those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has 10 times since
1983.?? (?Clinton team jeered during town hall,? USA Today,
http://www.usatoday.com/news/index/iraq/iraq172.htm )
QUOTE #5: CORRECT
"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with
the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including,
if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to
respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its
weapons of mass destruction programs." - Letter to President Clinton,
signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct.
9, 1998
JINSA (The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs) quotes:
?The concern was active during the Clinton years. On 9 Oct. 1998,
Democratic Senators, including John Kerry and Tom Daschle, wrote to
the President, ?[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and
consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary
actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect
Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq?s
refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.? Leading
Democrats repeated that position through early 2003.? (?Dr. Kay and
Everyone Else on Iraqi WMD? JINSA,
http://www.jinsa.org/articles/articles.html/function/view/categoryid/650/documentid/2361/history/3,2359,650,2361
)
QUOTE #6: CORRECT
"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of
mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the
region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998
A November 2003 News Max article quotes: ?Two months later, peacenik
and current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi offered her own two
cents on the threat posed by Saddam: ?Saddam Hussein has been engaged
in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is
a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the
weapons inspection process.?? (?Did Dems Mislead on Saddam's WMD
Threat?? NewsMax.com,
http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2003/10/13/110901.shtml )
QUOTE #7: CORRECT
"Hussein has...chosen to spend his money on building weapons of
mass destruction and palaces for his cronies."- Madeline Albright,
Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999
A November 1999 article in The Columbia Chronicle quotes Albright as
saying, ?"There has never been an embargo against food and medicine.
It's just that Hussein has just not chosen to spend his money on that.
Instead, he has chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass
destruction, and palaces for his cronies." (?Tapping an empty well:
What?s happening in Iraq today? by Joe Proulx,
http://www.ccchronicle.com/back/99nov22/vp2.html )
QUOTE #8: CORRECT
"There is no doubt that...Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons
programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear
programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In
addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is
doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop
longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our
allies." - Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob Graham (D,
FL,)
and others, December 5, 2001
The U.S. Department of State website states, in an article dated
December 5, 2001: ?Nine members of Congress have written a letter to
President Bush, urging the administration to step up support for the
Iraqi opposition to remove Saddam Hussein from power. ?This December
will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited
Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has
reinvigorated his weapons program. Reports indicate that biological,
chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to
pre-Gulf war status,? the letter, dated December 5, said. The letter
was signed by Senators John McCain, Jesse Helms, Richard Shelby, Sam
Brownback, Joe Lieberman, and Trent Lott, and by Representatives Henry
Hyde, Ben Gilman, and Harold Ford, Jr.? (?Nine Congress Members Call
for Stepped up Action Against Iraq,?
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/01120705.htm )
QUOTE #9: CORRECT
"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and
a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the
mandated of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass
destruction and the means of delivering them." - Sen. Carl Levin (D,
MI), Sept. 19, 2002
The American Daily quotes: ??We begin with the common belief that
Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of
the region. He has ignored the mandates of the United Nations and is
building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering
them.? Carl Levin, Sept 19, 2002? (?A Picture Is Worth A Thousand
Words - Dead Kurds Proof? by Barbara Stanley, American Daily,
http://www.americandaily.com/item/1620; CAUTION, graphic photographs
accompany this article)
QUOTE #10: CORRECT
"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and
chemical weapons throughout his country." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
A Washington Times article states: ??Mr. Gore, nonetheless, conceded
that Saddam ?does pose a serious threat to the stability of the
Persian Gulf? because ?we know that he has stored secret supplies of
biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.?? (?Gore's
speech plans trigger speculation,? by James G. Lakely, Washington
Times, http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030805-100743-9640r.htm )
QUOTE #11: CORRECT
"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible
to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as
Saddam is in power." - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002
An October 29, 2003 article at News Max states: ?In September last
year, Michigan Sen. Carl Levin said of Saddam, ?He has ignored the
mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass
destruction and the means of delivering them.? At the same time Al
Gore said, ?Iraq?s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven
impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as
long as Saddam is in power.?? (?Bush Critics Suffer Amnesia? by Reed
Irvine, News Max, http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/10/28/234215.shtml
)
QUOTE #12: CORRECT
"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and
developing weapons of mass destruction." - Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA),
Sept. 27, 2002
World Net Daily quotes: ?But in September 2002, when Bush wasn't up
for re-election, Teddy said, ?We have known for many years that Saddam
Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction.?? (?ASM
Disease ? it's a killer!? by Hal Lindsey, World Net Daily,
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=36618 )
QUOTE #13: CORRECT
"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are
confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and
biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course
to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities.
Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..."
- Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002
The Washington Times states: ?Finally, Sen. Robert C. Byrd, West
Virginia Democrat, declared with utmost certainty Oct. 3, 2002: ?We
are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical
and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash
course to build up his chemical- and biological-warfare
capabilities.?" (?Inside the Beltway? by John McCaslin, Washington
Times, http://washingtontimes.com/national/inbeltway.htm )
QUOTE #14: CORRECT
"I will be voting to give the President of the United States the
authority to use force--if necessary--to disarm Saddam Hussein
because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass
destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002
Kerry himself admits this on his website, although he tries to qualify
it; he said: ?Mr. President, I will be voting to give the President of
the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to
disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of
weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to
our security and that of our allies in the Persian Gulf region?
(?Remarks of Senator John Kerry on Iraq,? John Kerry for President,
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2002_1009.html )
QUOTE #15: CORRECT
"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working
aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear
weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we
have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in
development of weapons of mass destruction." - Sen. Jay Rockefeller
(D, WV), Oct 10, 2002
The Senator?s website confirms this when it quotes a statement made by
Rockefeller: ?There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is
working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have
nuclear weapons within the next five years. And that may happen sooner
if he can obtain access to enriched uranium from foreign sources --
something that is not that difficult in the current world. We also
should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has
made in development of weapons of mass destruction.? (?Statement of
Senator John D. Rockefeller IV on the Senate Floor On the Iraq
Resolution, October 10, 2002,
http://www.senate.gov/~rockefeller/news/2002/flrstmt0102002.html )
QUOTE #16: CORRECT
"He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11
years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he
disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any
nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do" Rep.- Henry Waxman (D,
CA), Oct. 10, 2002
Once again, the politician?s own website quotes Waxman as saying:
?Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Administration?s policy
towards Iraq, I don?t think there can be any question about Saddam?s
conduct. He has systematically violated, over the course of the past
11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he
disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any
nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do. He lies and cheats; he
snubs the mandate and authority of international weapons inspectors;
and he games the system to keep buying time against enforcement of the
just and legitimate demands of the United Nations, the Security
Council, the United States and our allies. Those are simply the
facts.? (?Statement Regarding the Possible War with Iraq, Oct. 10,
2002, By Henry A. Waxman,
http://www.henrywaxman.house.gov/news_files/news_statements_res_iraq_10_10_02.htm
)
QUOTE #17: CORRECT
"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports
show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and
biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his
nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to
terrorists, including al Qaeda members .. It is clear, however, that
if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his
capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep
trying to develop nuclear weapons." - Sen. Hillary Clinton (D,
NY), Oct 10, 2002
The BBC states: ?Back in October 2002, a decade after the elder Bush
left Saddam in power, Senator Hillary Clinton said: ?In the four years
since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam
Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons
stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He
has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al
Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam
Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and
chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.??
(?Reputation and reality? BBC,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/news/7oclocknews/features/saddam_reputation_151203.shtml
)
QUOTE #18: CORRECT
"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that
Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing
capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass
destruction." - Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002
ABC Online quotes: ?BOB GRAHAM: We are in possession of what I think
to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a
number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage
of weapons of mass destruction.? (?Analysis of Iraq documents begins?
by Jim Gale, ABC Online, http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/s743629.htm
)
QUOTE #19:
"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal,
murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a
particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to
miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to
his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass
destruction... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass
destruction is real ..."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003
Georgetown University?s website (where Kerry made this speech) quotes
Kerry in full: ?Second, without question, we need to disarm Saddam
Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive
regime. We all know the litany of his offenses. He presents a
particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to
miscalculation. He miscalculated an eight-year war with Iran. He
miscalculated the invasion of Kuwait. He miscalculated America's
response to that act of naked aggression. He miscalculated the result
of setting oil rigs on fire. He miscalculated the impact of sending
scuds into Israel and trying to assassinate an American President. He
miscalculated his own military strength. He miscalculated the Arab
world's response to his misconduct. And now he is miscalculating
America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp
for weapons of mass destruction. That is why the world, through the
United Nations Security Council, has spoken with one voice, demanding
that Iraq disclose its weapons programs and disarm. So the threat of
Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but it is not
new.? (?Sen. John Kerry, Foreign Policy Speech, Georgetown University,
Washington, DC, January 23, 2003, Prepared Remarks,? Georgetown
University, http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/issues/kerr012303spfp.html
)
SEARCH STRATEGIES:
Clinton "determined to deny Iraq"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Clinton+%22determined+to+deny+Iraq%22&btnG=Google+Search
Clinton "seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Clinton+%22seriously+diminish+the+threat+posed+by+Iraq%27s%22\
Albright "risks that the leaders of a rogue state"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Albright+%22risks+that+the+leaders+of+a+rogue+state%22&btnG=Google+Search
Berger "will use those weapons of mass destruction again"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Berger+%22will+use+those+weapons+of+mass+destruction+again%22&btnG=Google+Search
Daschle "including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Daschle+%22including%2C+if+appropriate%2C+air+and+missile+strikes+on+suspect+Iraqi+sites%22
Pelosi "destruction technology which is a threat"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Pelosi+%22destruction+technology+which+is+a+threat%22&btnG=Google+Search
Albright "chosen to spend his money on building weapons of"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Albright+%22chosen+to+spend+his+money+on+building+weapons+of%22+&btnG=Google+Search
Graham "Reports indicate that biological"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Graham+%22Reports+indicate+that+biological%22&btnG=Google+Search
Levin "Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Levin+%22Saddam+Hussein+is+a+tyrant+and+a+threat%22&btnG=Google+Search
Gore "he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Gore+%22he+has+stored+secret+supplies+of+biological+and+chemical%22&btnG=Google+Search
Gore "of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Gore+%22of+mass+destruction+has+proven+impossible+to+deter%22&btnG=Google+Search
Kennedy "many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing
weapons of mass destruction"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Kennedy+%22many+years+that+Saddam+Hussein+is+seeking+and+developing++weapons+of+mass+destruction%22&btnG=Google+Search
Byrd "Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Byrd+%22Saddam+Hussein+retains+some+stockpiles+of+chemical%22&btnG=Google+Search
Kerry "I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Kerry+%22I+will+be+voting+to+give+the+President+of+the+United+States+the+authority%22&btnG=Google+Search
Rockefeller "evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Rockefeller+%22evidence+that+Saddam+Hussein+is+working+aggressively%22&btnG=Google+Search
Waxman "every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Waxman+%22every++significant+UN+resolution+that+has+demanded+that+he%22&btnG=Google+Search
Clinton "show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Clinton+%22show+that+Saddam+Hussein+has+worked+to+rebuild+his+chemical+and%22&btnG=Google+Search
Graham "possession of what I think to be compelling evidence"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Graham++%22possession+of+what+I+think+to+be+compelling+evidence%22&btnG=Google+Search
Kerry "Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Kerry+%22Without+question%2C+we+need+to+disarm+Saddam+Hussein%22&btnG=Google+Search |
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