Cord Byrd: “Now, Mr. President, let me call attention to an editorial in today's Charleston, WV, Gazette, titled, ``Bush, Cheney…”

“Now, Mr. President, let me call attention to an editorial in today's Charleston, WV, Gazette, titled, ``Bush, Cheney won't stop.'' And I read therefrom: Although Iraq agreed to readmit U.N. weapons inspectors, President Bush and Vice President Cheney still are clamoring for U.S. military action to topple dictator Saddam Hussein. The White House continues its mantra-- Now listen. This is the Charleston, WV, Gazette. The White House continues its mantra that war is necessary because Saddam is ``evil'' and he's secretly making weapons of mass destruction. But this justification may be a smoke screen. Are you listening? Are you listening, the people out there throughout this great land? Are you listening? . . . this justification may be a smoke screen. Some observers say the administration's hidden motive is to gain control of Iraq's oil. In a front-page Sunday report subtitled ``U.S. Drillers Eye Huge Petroleum Pool,'' The Washington Post said America's oil industry--to which Bush and Cheney are closely tied--eagerly wants a ``regime change'' in Iraq so U.S. firms can begin drilling into Iraq's vast, 112-billion-barrel reserve.”