John Robb: Bush’s Press Conference

Just to recap Bush’s press conference last night.  Here is the outline:

9/11 awoke the US to the threat of terrorism.  We now know we are vulnerable to attack.  We will now proactively eliminate threats to the security of the US.  Saddam’s leadership of Iraq is a threat because:

1. Ability:  He has chemical and biological weapons.
   
2. Intent:  He has ties to terrorist groups (he has previously called on terrorists to attack the US).
   
3. State of mind:  He has demonstrated a willingness to use these weapons.
   
4. Motive:  He has a hatred of the US.

The US is in favor of a diplomatic disarming of Iraq (to eliminate his ability to act on his threats).  However, the process has not worked and should end:

1. The US supported the process of arms inspections but it has not accomplished its goal in 12 years of effort.
   
2. Iraq still has chemical and biological weapons that they have not declared in this latest round of inspections (prima facie evidence of noncompliance).
   
3. Any additional attempts to follow this course of action would not result in disarmament.

The UN, as an organization that promotes collective security, is not working.  Here’s why:

1. The UN sponsored inspections of Iraq have not worked over 12 years.
   
2. The unanimous acceptance of UN resolution 1441 last September stated that this was the last chance for Iraq to disarm. 
   
3. Given that Saddam’s Iraq continues to flout the inspections and the UN’s will, the UN seems unable to bring closure on this issue.

Here is what the US will do:

1. Provide the UN with one last chance to pass a resolution that clearly authorizes military action in the event of Iraqi noncompliance.
   
2. Regardless of whether the UN passes the resolution or not, the US will invade Iraq to disarm the country out of national security interests.
   
3. The US will change the regime in Iraq and help establish a democratic infrastructure.

[John Robb’s Radio Weblog]