Political Quotes

“periodically I have addressed the Senate on my concerns regarding the tragic strife in the Middle East. I did so on May 2 of this year and in the Record of that day are my comments with regard to the situation as of that date. Regrettably, the situation has continued to worsen. Our President is actively engaged with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense. I have had the opportunity to speak to all of them about this situation and express my views. I know of no conflict of recent times that is more serious, in terms of how its tentacles are far reaching throughout the world. It is affecting, in some way, our ability to pursue terrorism worldwide. It is affecting our ability to take further actions to bring about our goals in Afghanistan. It is affecting the planning that this Nation must make from time to time--not referring to war plans, but just planning--as to how we deal with Iraq. Iraq is continuing, under the leadership of Saddam Hussein, to manufacture and warehouse weapons of mass destruction. I think the facts are irrefutable. At the core of all of this decision making is this continuing conflict in the Middle East. I have said and I will say again today that I urge those in positions of authority--whether in this country, in Israel, or in the Palestinian Authority--to look at this daily loss of life on both sides and do all they can to bring about a cessation of this tragic conflict.”