Sam Gibbons: “last week we heard Iraq agree to allowing U.N. weapons inspectors back into their country without conditions. All I can…”

“last week we heard Iraq agree to allowing U.N. weapons inspectors back into their country without conditions. All I can say is we have been down this road before. Mr. Speaker, the United Nations must show real backbone if they want to be a meaningful organization in the 21st century. Unfortunately, we have had a decade of defiance and deception from Iraq. Let us not forget that between 1991 and 1998, in spite of 13, yes, 13 different U.N. resolutions mandating unconditional access, Iraq never allowed that to happen. Saddam always had conditions. Inspectors were kept from presidential palaces, mosques and military installations, just to name a few locations. The U.N. must pass a resolution that not only mandates unconditional weapons inspections, but also outlines the serious consequences for Saddam if Iraq fails to act and fails to allow U.N. inspectors to do their complete and unfettered job. The U.N. must take control and mandate unfettered inspections, and Saddam Hussein must comply. It is time for the U.N. and not Saddam Hussein to be in the driver's seat.”