Bush Warns Saddam of War at Fort Hood Speech

Strategic Insights -

At an address to 4,000 soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, US President Bush accused Saddam Hussein of showing "contempt" for the UN and warned that unless the Iraqi leader dramatically changes his ways, he is heading towards war. Bush stated that Saddam's recent declaration to the UN on December 7 was not credible and demonstrated his determination to resist world opinion on disarmament. The President emphasized that Saddam had a choice between the path of peace and the path of defiance, echoing his earlier comments that Saddam's abuses, including the use of chemical weapons and torture of Iraqi citizens, make Baghdad a "grave threat" to the US and its allies.

Key Takeaways:

  • President Bush addressed 4,000 soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, accusing Saddam Hussein of showing contempt for the UN and warning of war if he doesn't change his ways.
  • Bush stated that Saddam's December 7 declaration to the UN was not credible and demonstrated his determination to resist world opinion on disarmament.
  • The President emphasized that Saddam has a choice between the path of peace and the path of defiance, highlighting his previous comments on Iraq's abuses.
  • Bush emphasized that the US has given Saddam a path to peace, but he chose the path of defiance.
  • The address came as the US had declared Baghdad to be in "material breach" of the UN disarmament resolution.
  • Bush's comments were his sternest since the US declaration on Iraq's disarmament, and he appeared to be taking his case for war to the public amidst skepticism.
  • The 1st cavalry division and the 4th infantry division, both based at Fort Hood, are expected to be part of the 50,000 troops the Pentagon has begun deploying to the Gulf region.
  • Approximately 11,000 soldiers from the 3rd infantry division, based in Georgia, have received deployment orders to the area where about 60,000 US troops are already based.

Statistics:

  • 4,000 soldiers attended the President's address at Fort Hood, Texas.
  • The US has declared Baghdad to be in "material breach" of the UN disarmament resolution.
  • The Pentagon has begun deploying 50,000 troops to the Gulf region.
  • Approximately 60,000 US troops are already based in the area.
  • 11,000 soldiers from the 3rd infantry division have received deployment orders to the area.

Sources:

  • Dec. 7 Baghdad's weapons declaration to the UN (see Recorders 23-24, Vol. 57)
  • Arab-US Relation (reference to 60,000 US troops based in the area)
  • Bush's previous comments at Crawford, Texas, on January 2 (on his views on Saddam's disarmament)