Here's a much more detailed account of Butler's testimony from the NYT. Pretty interesting. More detail and context. Imo his remarks about Iraq giving wmd's to "non-Iraqi" terrorists, should, imo, be read in view of the fact that his UNSCOM inspection duties terminated in '98. JMVVHO
nytimes.com
"We do not know and never have known fully the quantity and quality of Iraq's WMD," the former inspector, Richard Butler of Australia, said, using the abbreviation for weapons of mass destruction. "Its policies of concealment ensured that this was the case."
"There are a number of deeply disturbing possibilities within Saddam's WMD program which need urgent attention," Mr. Butler went on. Among them, he said, are possibilities that Mr. Hussein might be trying to develop weapons that would use the smallpox virus.
Smallpox, one of the deadliest diseases in history, has been considered eradicated for more than two decades. The only known samples of the smallpox virus exist in laboratories in the United States and Russia, although there has been conjecture that clandestine supplies exist elsewhere.
"There is a question as to why does Saddam want these diabolical weapons," Mr. Butler went on. In many respects, Mr. Butler said, "he's told us himself in his various outbursts: They make him strong. They help him stay in power at home. They help him fight his enemies outside Iraq."
Mr. Hussein should recognize that using weapons of mass destruction, or even threatening to use them, against the United States or its allies "would bring a terrible response," Mr. Butler said.
Yet, Mr. Butler went on, "he shows no sign of such intelligent judgment. And this is, perhaps, the ultimate pathology of the man."
Mr. Butler said he has seen no evidence that Iraq has provided deadly weapons to non-Iraqi terrorists. "I suspect that, especially given his psychology and aspirations, Saddam would be reluctant to share with others what he believes to be an indelible source of his own power," Mr. Butler said.
The former inspector said it was not his place to say what the United States should do about Saddam Hussein, but that there should be one more effort to persuade him to allow United Nations inspectors back into Iraq.
"I think we've got to go a little further way if for no other reason than to make clear to the world that we went the full distance to get the law obeyed and arms control restored before taking other measures," Mr. Butler said.
"An ideal situation would be the resumption of arms control in Iraq, inspections and serious arms control," Mr. Butler said, but not if it means "the shell game — phony inspections, more deceit, more concealment."
If the United States ultimately decides to move against Mr. Hussein, "do it for the right reasons," Mr. Butler said. "Have this debate and make clear to the world what this is about. It is about weapons of mass destruction, but please do not leave out Saddam's hideous record, in terms of human rights violations." |
