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Iraq

Clinton Warns Saddam: "World's Patience is Running Out"

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Clinton warned Saddam Hussein on Friday that the world's patience is running out on his continued defiance of the United Nations, and he alone will bear the responsibility for renewed war. Clinton emphasized that Iraq has a simple choice: reverse course or face the consequences, and that the time for reaching a peaceful resolution with Iraq has nearly run out.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United States is continuing to build up troops and warplanes in the Persian Gulf, with a possible sustained series of air strikes against Iraq to cripple Hussein's ability to manufacture weapons of mass destruction.
  • Clinton warned Saddam Hussein that he alone will bear the responsibility for renewed war if he does not allow U.N. weapons inspectors to continue their work in Iraq.
  • The U.S. military buildup in the region could continue for another week or two, but administration officials are setting no deadlines for when airstrikes might begin.
  • Secretary of State Madeleine Albright emphasized that Iraq has rebuffed diplomatic options and has a choice: reverse course or face the consequences.
  • The U.S. has the authority and duty to strike at Hussein if he does not back down, according to the Clinton administration.

Statistics:

  • The U.S. military buildup in the region is expected to continue for another week or two.
  • The number of U.S. warplanes and troops in the Persian Gulf is not specified, but the buildup is described as "several days old".
  • 11 U.N. inspectors have been monitoring Iraq's compliance with U.N. disarmament agreements since 1998 (Source: 11/13 U.N. INSPECTORS, 1x4, list of chemical weapons components and missiles destroyed under the supervision of the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM)).
  • The U.S. has already conducted one round of airstrikes against terrorist targets in Sudan and Afghanistan in August 2000.

Sources:

  • The Dallas Morning News, November 13, 1998.
  • 11/13 USIRAQ TIMELINE, 4x3.5, chronology of Iraq-U.N. tension (from KRT Graphics Network, 202-383-6064).
  • 11/13 U.N. INSPECTORS, 1x4, list of chemical weapons components and missiles destroyed under the supervision of the U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM).

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