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U.S. House panel sends signal on Iraq
By John Whitesides
WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - A House of Representatives panel on Wednesday endorsed a resolution that declares Iraq's refusal to allow the unrestricted return of U.N. weapons inspectors a mounting threat to the United States and the world.
With congressional sentiment growing to make Iraq the next target of the U.S. war on terrorism, the House International Relations Committee voted 32-1 for a scaled-back, non-binding resolution that supporters said would send a signal to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that U.S. patience with his regime was at an end.
"This resolution says, in effect, that Saddam Hussein has one last chance to do what he was supposed to have done more than a decade ago," said Rep. Tom Lantos of California, ranking Democrat on the panel.
But lawmakers agreed on a voice vote to tone down the resolution's wording from an earlier version that declared any refusal to admit weapons inspectors by Baghdad to be an "act of aggression" against the United States.
They said they did not want the resolution to be confused with an authorization for the use of military force against Iraq in the event that weapons inspectors remained barred from the country.
The final version says Iraq should allow the immediate return of U.N. weapons inspectors, and any refusal by Baghdad should be considered a "mounting threat to the United States, its allies, and international peace and security."
Supporters said the continued lack of access to Iraq's program for weapons of mass destruction should be strongly protested by the United States and United Nations, and the issue should become a priority.
"Saddam Hussein has a record of developing such weapons, and of using them not only against his enemies but against his own people," said Chairman Henry Hyde, an Illinois Republican and co-sponsor of the measure.
The vote on the resolution, which could still be considered by the full House before Congress adjourns for the Christmas holidays, is the latest in a string of calls for a renewed concentration on Iraq and President Saddam Hussein once the military campaign in Afghanistan ends.
President George W. Bush recently demanded that Saddam allow weapons inspections to resume, saying he would "find out" the consequences if he refused.
Ten leading members of Congress sent a letter to Bush last week urging him to make Iraq the next target in the U.S. war on terrorism, saying it has reinvigorated its weapons programs in the three years since U.N. inspectors left.
"As we work to clean up Afghanistan, it is imperative that we plan to eliminate the threat from Iraq," said the letter, signed by Hyde, Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott, ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jesse Helms, former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and former Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman among others.
The lawmakers said international sanctions levied against Iraq are riddled with loopholes and illegal oil sales could not be contained by the administration.
"Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status," the letter said, adding: "We believe we must directly confront Saddam, sooner rather than later."
Rep. Darrell Issa, a California Republican, said during debate on the resolution that the time for measured, predictable responses to threats against the United States was over.
"We have entered a new war on terrorism that no longer accepts measured, limited responses," Issa said.
Rep. Ron Paul, a Texas Republican who cast the lone vote against the resolution, said the original version was "really dangerous and outlandish" while the toned-down wording was merely "jingoistic" and confrontational.
"To me, it invites conflict," he said.
By John Whitesides
WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - A House of Representatives panel on Wednesday endorsed a resolution that declares Iraq's refusal to allow the unrestricted return of U.N. weapons inspectors a mounting threat to the United States and the world.
With congressional sentiment growing to make Iraq the next target of the U.S. war on terrorism, the House International Relations Committee voted 32-1 for a scaled-back, non-binding resolution that supporters said would send a signal to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that U.S. patience with his regime was at an end.
"This resolution says, in effect, that Saddam Hussein has one last chance to do what he was supposed to have done more than a decade ago," said Rep. Tom Lantos of California, ranking Democrat on the panel.
But lawmakers agreed on a voice vote to tone down the resolution's wording from an earlier version that declared any refusal to admit weapons inspectors by Baghdad to be an "act of aggression" against the United States.
They said they did not want the resolution to be confused with an authorization for the use of military force against Iraq in the event that weapons inspectors remained barred from the country.
The final version says Iraq should allow the immediate return of U.N. weapons inspectors, and any refusal by Baghdad should be considered a "mounting threat to the United States, its allies, and international peace and security."
Supporters said the continued lack of access to Iraq's program for weapons of mass destruction should be strongly protested by the United States and United Nations, and the issue should become a priority.
"Saddam Hussein has a record of developing such weapons, and of using them not only against his enemies but against his own people," said Chairman Henry Hyde, an Illinois Republican and co-sponsor of the measure.
The vote on the resolution, which could still be considered by the full House before Congress adjourns for the Christmas holidays, is the latest in a string of calls for a renewed concentration on Iraq and President Saddam Hussein once the military campaign in Afghanistan ends.
President George W. Bush recently demanded that Saddam allow weapons inspections to resume, saying he would "find out" the consequences if he refused.
Ten leading members of Congress sent a letter to Bush last week urging him to make Iraq the next target in the U.S. war on terrorism, saying it has reinvigorated its weapons programs in the three years since U.N. inspectors left.
"As we work to clean up Afghanistan, it is imperative that we plan to eliminate the threat from Iraq," said the letter, signed by Hyde, Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott, ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Jesse Helms, former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and former Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman among others.
The lawmakers said international sanctions levied against Iraq are riddled with loopholes and illegal oil sales could not be contained by the administration.
"Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status," the letter said, adding: "We believe we must directly confront Saddam, sooner rather than later."
Rep. Darrell Issa, a California Republican, said during debate on the resolution that the time for measured, predictable responses to threats against the United States was over.
"We have entered a new war on terrorism that no longer accepts measured, limited responses," Issa said.
Rep. Ron Paul, a Texas Republican who cast the lone vote against the resolution, said the original version was "really dangerous and outlandish" while the toned-down wording was merely "jingoistic" and confrontational.
"To me, it invites conflict," he said.
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