Bush: U.S. and allies must 'remove a protector of terror'
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush used his Saturday radio address to reiterate the threat he says is posed by Saddam Hussein, on the 15th anniversary of a chemical attack on the Kurds of northern Iraq that killed thousands.
"The chemical attack on Halabja -- just one of 40 targeted at Iraq's own people -- provided a glimpse of the crimes Saddam Hussein is willing to commit, and the kind of threat he now presents to the entire world," Bush said. "He is among history's cruelest dictators, and he is arming himself with the world's most terrible weapons."
The attack on Halabja was part of an Iraqi campaign against the Kurds in the 1980s in retaliation for their support of Iran, with whom Iraq was at war. Iraqi forces razed hundreds of villages and killed thousands of people. The United States was backing Iraq against Iran at the time.
Those killed included 5,000 who reportedly died in the 1988 attack on Halabja, home to about 80,000 Kurds. International scientists said that attack involved multiple chemical agents, notably mustard gas and sarin.
Residents of Halabja still bear scars from the attack -- genetic mutations, cancer, breathing problems and chronic eye disorders.
Bush: Iraq regime sponsors terror
In his address, Bush said one of the coalition's goals would be "to remove a patron and protector of terror."
Saddam still has weapons of mass destruction, Bush said, despite U.N. resolutions imposed after the 1991 Gulf War requiring him to disarm.
"We know from prior weapons inspections that Saddam has failed to account for vast quantities of biological and chemical agents, including mustard agent, botulism toxin and sarin, capable of killing millions of people," Bush said. "We know the Iraqi regime finances and sponsors terror.
"And we know the regime has plans to place innocent people around military installations to act as human shields."
Charging that the Iraqi leader has flouted U.N. sanctions for the past 12 years, Bush said "there is little reason to hope that Saddam Hussein will disarm."
He warned of past instances -- pointing to Bosnia, Rwanda, and Kosovo -- where "the failure of the Security Council to act decisively has led to tragedy," and restated his position that force may be required to disarm Iraq.
The U.S. leader also said the days ahead would be "crucial" for the international community, who are now revealing whether they were prepared to support their pro-liberty commitments with actions.
