Max Cleland: “Two points. First, the 1998 resolution, which I supported, the Senator from Virginia supported, and most of us…”

“Two points. First, the 1998 resolution, which I supported, the Senator from Virginia supported, and most of us supported, called for regime change but did not authorize the use of American military force. This resolution is different because I believe the situation is different, as the Senator pointed out. The situation is we really don't know the exact status of the biological and chemical capability of Saddam Hussein to wage warfare on his neighbors, our allies, our friends in the Middle East, and on us. Therefore, the 4 years the inspectors have not been there gives us great pause and great concern. Therefore, our first step should be access to those military sites, those weapons of mass destruction sites, and the destruction of those weapons of mass destruction and complete disarmament according to the 1991 resolution. It is worth, in my opinion, authorizing the use of military force to accomplish that objective.”