New Hampshire Delegation Reacts Favorably to Bush’s U.N. Speech
WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2002–New Hampshire’s all-Republican congressional delegation reacted with overwhelming support to President George W. Bush’s speech on Iraq yesterday before the United Nations General Assembly.
“President Bush has my unwavering support in his effort to bring about a change in leadership in Iraq and wipe out terrorism,” Rep. Charles Bass said in a statement. “Saddam Hussein is a destabilizing force in the Middle East and poses a serious threat to the United States and the rest of the world.”
Throughout his speech, Bush alluded to potential military action against Iraq, saying that if conditions are not met, action will become unavoidable. “My nation will work with the U.N. Security Council on a new resolution to meet our common challenge,” he said. “If Iraq’s regime defies us again, the world must move deliberately and decisively to hold Iraq to account.”
Sen. Judd Gregg called Hussein “a thug and an international criminal” and said it is the obligation of the United States to lead the free world and the U.N. community. Gregg said that although he hopes Bush’s speech will promote support from the United Nations, “protecting our national security is something we should always be willing to go alone.”
Bush’s conditions for a new U.N. resolution include Iraq’s disclosing the locations of or destroying all weapons of mass destruction, ending persecution of its civilian population, releasing or accounting for all Gulf War personnel and ending illicit trade outside of the oil-for-food program.
Rep. John Sununu said he appreciated Bush’s clarity, force and directness throughout his speech, and supports Bush’s assertions that Iraq must meet conditions set forth by the United Nations.
He added that his views on action against Iraq would not be influenced by his Senate campaign against Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat. “This isn’t about politics, this is about doing what’s in the nation’s best interest,” Sununu said. “I hope that every member of Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, will give the President the benefit of the doubt to propose an option regarding Hussein and Iraq and then weigh that option,” he said.
Gregg, who said he believes the president soon will ask Congress to act, agreed with Sununu.
In a statement, Sen. Bob Smith pledged his support to Bush and said the president made a strong case against Iraq for its violation of U.N. resolutions.
“We cannot afford to wait to let Saddam Hussein build weapons of mass destruction to use against our forces deployed overseas or to commit terrorist acts on U.S. soil,” Smith said.
Published in The Keene Sentinel, in New Hampshire.
