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Iraq

US Warns of "Substantial Strike" on Iraq if Diplomatic Solution Fails

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Clinton administration has stressed that time is running out for a diplomatic solution to the crisis over Iraq's refusal to admit United Nations weapons inspectors to sensitive sites. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright warned Sunday that US warplanes would mount a "substantial strike" against Iraq within weeks unless Saddam Hussein backs down. The administration's hard line has been met with growing doubts from lawmakers, with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and former General Norman Schwarzkopf voicing concerns that a one-time punitive airstrike would be insufficient and that a long-term policy to topple Saddam is needed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton administration is warning that a "substantial strike" against Iraq will occur within weeks if a diplomatic solution is not reached.
  • Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stated that time is running out for a diplomatic solution, with "it's not days and it's not months -- so it's in the weeks category" for a strike.
  • The administration's hard line has been met with skepticism from lawmakers, with Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and former General Norman Schwarzkopf calling for a long-term policy to topple Saddam.
  • Secretary of Defense William Cohen admitted that he would not seek permission to launch American fighters and bombers from Saudi territory, allowing the US to avoid the embarrassment of having a request turned down by a key ally.
  • The Saudi government's reluctance to support a military strike on Iraq undercuts the Clinton administration's efforts to build political support for a punitive attack.
  • Only Britain has pledged to join an attack on Iraq, with the US considering a "very substantial" attack without the use of aircraft based in Saudi Arabia.

Statistics:

  • The US has over 100 American aircraft based in Saudi Arabia, including 50 combat jets (Associated Press).
  • Secretary of State Madeleine Albright stated that a "substantial strike" would be "heavy" and "sustained" (CBS-TV's "Face the Nation").
  • The no-fly zone over Iraq has been in place since 1991.
  • The US has imposed economic sanctions on Iraq since 1991.
  • The Iraqi government has offered to allow UN inspectors to visit eight presidential palaces for up to 60 days (CNN).

Sources:

  • CBS-TV's "Face the Nation" (Madeleine Albright interview)
  • AP wire reports (Saudi Arabia's reluctance to support a military strike)
  • NBC-TV's "Meet the Press" (General Norman Schwarzkopf interview)
  • CNN (Iraqi ambassador to the UN, Nizar Hamdoon, and US ambassador to the UN, Bill Richardson interviews)
  • New York Times (Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov comments)
  • Associated Press (Saudi Arabia's King Fahd meeting with Secretary of Defense William Cohen)

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