Joe Lieberman: “I believe the best way for us to get the United Nations to act to enforce its own resolutions is if we make clear we are…”

“I believe the best way for us to get the United Nations to act to enforce its own resolutions is if we make clear we are prepared to do so ourselves, although that is not our preference. Here is my question: In section 3(3) of the Senator's amendment, you do affirm under international law the U.S. has at all times the inherent right to use military force itself. You argued tonight that is an indication that those who have said your amendment gives a veto to U.N. over U.S. actions are not correct. But isn't it true the section just below, section 4(a) of your amendment, says the President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the U.S. to destroy, remove, or render harmless Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons material, ballistic missiles, et cetera, only pursuant to a resolution of the United Nations Security Council as described above? So while you recognize the inherent right of the U.S. to defend itself, to take military action in self-defense, isn't it true your amendment does give the United Nations a veto over the authority of the United States to take action to enforce the resolutions of the United Nations?”