Washington: Stating that America's security cannot be risked taking heed to anti-war
protests, President George W Bush said US will go ahead and disarm Saddam Hussein.
"War is my last choice. But the risk of doing nothing is even a worst option as far
as I'm concerned. I owe it to the American people to secure this country. I will do
so," Bush told reporters at the White House on February 18.
Commenting on the anti-war protests from across the world, Bush said
he "respectfully" disagrees with the critics.
"Evidently, some of the world does not view Saddam Hussein as a risk to peace. I
respectfully disagree. Saddam Hussein has gassed his own people. Saddam Hussein has
got weapons of mass destruction. Saddam Hussein has defied United Nations. Saddam
Hussein is providing links to terrorists. Saddam Hussein is a threat to America. And
we will deal with him."
Hopefully, Saddam will disarm, Bush noted. "But if he chooses not to disarm, as I
have been saying for a long time, we'll lead a coalition of the willing to disarm
him."
Asked about the second resolution on Iraq in the UN Security Council and how he is
going to get around the opposition of France, Russia and China, Bush said a new
resolution was not necessary "as far as I'm concerned".
"We are working with our friends. A second resolution would be useful. We don't need
a second resolution. It's clear this guy (Saddam) could even care less about the
first resolution. He is in total defiance of 1441. But we want to work with our
friends and allies to see if we can get a second resolution. That's what we are
doing right now."
PTI
