"Let me be clear on what the U.S. objectives are..."

---

The Iraq Liberation Act
October 31, 1998
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
THE WHITE HOUSE

For those adamant that the liberation of Iraqis is a Bush endeavor based on personal vengence, how about a little trip back in time for the history challenged? The 1998 Iraqi Liberation Act. And, for those still in the dark about how an act becomes a law, the darlings of Congress sent this to the President's desk... as is the proper procedure for new laws of the land.

The difference between the Clinton and Bush admins, of course, is that the Clinton WH would have just piled on a few more UN Resolutions to the 17 already in existance instead of pursuing the ultimate goal. This despite the fact that he clearly believes that a free Iraq cannot happen under Saddam.

As is usual, the Clinton WH was a lot of talk, but little action.

Without a doubt, Bush would have continued on the same path. However the US was provoked into action. Sept 11th required a bold change in strategy for national defense. And just as we eliminated the Taliban for nurturing OBL in Afghanistan, elimination of Saddam as the next oasis for the terrorists... already well established with relationships since the late 90s... was the next logical step.

When Saddam fell, Libya offered up it's WMD program without a shot fired. The Lebanese now stand up to Syrians and hit the streets in protest. Iraqis not only constructed a Constitution, but line up to enlist in the Iraqi military to fight for control over their own destinies, despite repeated cowardly murders by terrorists.

And following the latest bombings in Jordan, the Arab world is finally starting to proclaim it's distain for extremist Islamic thugs, randomly killing innocents in the quest to usher the Middle East back to Third World conditions under their desired Caliphate. Even Zarqawi's own Jordanian tribe has denounced him, pledging their strong allegiance to Jordan's King Abdullah . al Zarqawi may find himself the target for assassination by his own brethren.... unless, of course, Iraqi and US Coalition soldiers get to him first.

How can so many not see continued successes and growth towards a healthier and less barbaric Middle East? Simple. Bush's bold step, implementing the same desires as the Clinton administration cannot be construed as anything but a catastrophic failure for the Dems and their continued acquiescence and complacence for terrorism. And they do not fall out of power gracefully.

Today I am signing into law H.R. 4655, the "Iraq Liberation Act of 1998." This Act makes clear that it is the sense of the Congress that the United States should support those elements of the Iraqi opposition that advocate a very different future for Iraq than the bitter reality of internal repression and external aggression that the current regime in Baghdad now offers.

Let me be clear on what the U.S. objectives are: The United States wants Iraq to rejoin the family of nations as a freedom-loving and law-abiding member. This is in our interest and that of our allies within the region.

The United States favors an Iraq that offers its people freedom at home. I categorically reject arguments that this is unattainable due to Iraq's history or its ethnic or sectarian make-up. Iraqis deserve and desire freedom like everyone else. The United States looks forward to a democratically supported regime that would permit us to enter into a dialogue leading to the reintegration of Iraq into normal international life.

My Administration has pursued, and will continue to pursue, these objectives through active application of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The evidence is overwhelming that such changes will not happen under the current Iraq leadership.

In the meantime, while the United States continues to look to the Security Council's efforts to keep the current regime's behavior in check, we look forward to new leadership in Iraq that has the support of the Iraqi people. The United States is providing support to opposition groups from all sectors of the Iraqi community that could lead to a popularly supported government.

On October 21, 1998, I signed into law the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, which made $8 million available for assistance to the Iraqi democratic opposition. This assistance is intended to help the democratic opposition unify, work together more effectively, and articulate the aspirations of the Iraqi people for a pluralistic, participa--tory political system that will include all of Iraq's diverse ethnic and religious groups. As required by the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for FY 1998 (Public Law 105-174), the Department of State submitted a report to the Congress on plans to establish a program to support the democratic opposition. My Administration, as required by that statute, has also begun to implement a program to compile information regarding allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes by Iraq's current leaders as a step towards bringing to justice those directly responsible for such acts.

The Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 provides additional, discretionary authorities under which my Administration can act to further the objectives I outlined above. There are, of course, other important elements of U.S. policy. These include the maintenance of U.N. Security Council support efforts to eliminate Iraq's weapons and missile programs and economic sanctions that continue to deny the regime the means to reconstitute those threats to international peace and security. United States support for the Iraqi opposition will be carried out consistent with those policy objectives as well. Similarly, U.S. support must be attuned to what the opposition can effectively make use of as it develops over time. With those observations, I sign H.R. 4655 into law.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

THE WHITE HOUSE,

October 31, 1998.