02.05.03

Senator Maria Cantwell's reaction to Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech at the United Nations

"I am encouraged that the Administration took the case that the threat posed by Iraq must be addressed directly to the United Nations Security Council. At today's meeting, Secretary Powell delivered an important, compelling presentation to the international community laying out both U.S. declassified intelligence and U.N. inspections reports showing that Iraq is a serious threat to his people, his neighbors and global stability and cannot be ignored. The Secretary’s presentation demonstrated not only Iraq’s continued non-compliance with UN agreements demanding disarmament, but also revealed a pattern of deceit and Iraq's aggressive intent to procure a weapons of mass destruction capability. The Administration should continue to push the United Nations to deal with Iraq on an international basis."