[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 8, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, last Thursday the Armed Services and 
foreign Relations Committees held a joint hearing to hear testimony 
from a courageous and dedicated American--Major Scott Ritter. Major 
Ritter began his opening statement by saying,

       Last week I resigned my position with UNSCOM out of 
     frustration because the U.N. Security Council, and the United 
     States, as its most significant supporter, were failing to 
     enforce the post-Gulf War resolutions designed to disarm 
     Iraq. I sincerely hope that my actions might help to change 
     things . . .

  For nearly three hours, Major Ritter responded to Senators' 
questions, describing how U.S. policies in support of United Nations 
Security Council resolutions were not being honestly implemented. He 
also expressed his views regarding the dangers associated with Iraq's 
continuing pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and how this Nation's 
victory in the Persian Gulf war was being squandered.
  Major Ritter served as an intelligence officer in the Marine Corps 
during the Persian Gulf War to liberate Kuwait from Iraq. He became a 
United Nations inspector in 1991 and acted under international law 
created by the United States and the United Nations. His job as an 
inspector was to plan and conduct inspections to eliminate illegal 
weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Major Ritter was deeply dedicated 
to his duties. He explained that his duty as a weapons inspector 
represented a vital continuation of what many Americans had fought and 
died for during the Gulf War. Finding and destroying these dangerous 
weapons is critically important to the United States and our allies. 
These weapons of mass destruction could one day be used again by Saddam 
Hussein to attack his neighbors, dominate the region and threaten vital 
interests of the United States. Major Ritter was dedicated to reducing 
the threat from such weapons. He earned a reputation as a tough, 
demanding inspector. Saddam Hussein feared his perseverance and tried 
to get him removed from UNSCOM and Iraq. I regret that he has resigned. 
I felt better knowing Major Ritter was on the job. However, Major 
Ritter found that he was repeatedly and systematically hindered from 
performing his duties. The very laws he was asked to enforce were not 
now being supported by the U.N. Security Council nor his own 
government.
  Major Ritter's resignation from his position as an UNSCOM inspector 
was a selfless and patriotic act. However, his resignation and the 
reason for his resignation deserve our immediate attention and action. 
I hope that his personal sacrifice will spur the Congress and the 
Administration to act with the same courage and urgency as Major 
Ritter.
  During the hearing, Major Ritter was asked all the most difficult 
questions to challenge his judgment and veracity. His challengers were 
unsuccessful. He simply told the truth, and the truth is a National 
embarrassment. Although Major Ritter had the courtesy not to say it, 
his message was clear. ``Congress, I have done my job. It is now time 
to do yours.'' Our job in Congress requires the same courage Major 
Ritter displayed last week and for the past nine years as a weapons 
inspector for the United Nations. I am deeply disappointed that such a 
brave and bright young American was forced into choosing to resign from 
his duties because of his principles. His actions clearly send us a 
message. ``This Nation's actions must be consistent with its 
policies.''
  I believe that our Nation and the world are far less safe as a result 
of Saddam Hussein's programs of weapons of mass destruction. We must 
insist that UNSCOM be allowed to do its job. We in government must say 
what we mean, and do as we say. We have not been doing this recently in 
our foreign and national defense policies.
  Mr. President, it is now Congress' responsibility to ensure that this 
happens.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I understand that my Democratic leader has 
time, and I wish to use some of that time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, we are in morning 
business until 12:30. The Democrat leader has time until 11:30 a.m.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask to address the Chamber without time 
restraint.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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