Thomas Daschle: “This morning, the President of the United States ordered the use of cruise missiles against key strategic targets in…”

“This morning, the President of the United States ordered the use of cruise missiles against key strategic targets in Iraq. President Clinton noted in his address that despite clear warnings from the United States and the international community, Iraqi forces attacked and seized the Kurdish-controlled city of Irbil. Iraq's latest attack repeats a pattern the civilized world has seen before. Saddam Hussein is prepared to use force at any time to achieve his end, to threaten his neighbors, to terrorize his own people, and to undermine the stability of the entire Middle East. This act of naked aggression violates the spirit if not the letter of the United Nations' resolution adopted shortly after Saddam's earlier misguided attempts at transforming the balance of power in the Middle East. President Clinton correctly stated that if we did not respond firmly and decisively at this time, Saddam would conclude he could act with impunity. The purpose of the U.S. military action is twofold: First, Saddam must pay a price for his attack on the Kurds; second, by extending the no-fly zone and eliminating certain air defense assets, we have reduced the threat he poses to others.”