Coats Gives Views On Iraq Policy
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The United States needs more clearly defined goals in its dealings with Iraq's Saddam Hussein, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats said after Wednesday's televised Town Meeting.
Coats said he believes the U.S. needs to be clear about the goals it intends to pursue in Iraq. Those goals should include having unfettered access to all sites in Iraq, which would fulfill the UN resolutions, the removal of Saddam Hussein from power, and, according to Coats, "... To replace him (Hussein) with a democratically-elected government."
Coats, who is also the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Air-Land Subcommittee, and a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, believes that "laying out the options for the American people in a town hall meeting sends a mixed message to Saddam Hussein and other leaders around the world as they watch protesters emphasizing our divisions."
Coats was referring to the town meeting Wednesday where anti-war protesters disrupted the remarks of Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen, and National Security Advisor Sandy Berger with loud chanting and jeers.
According to Coats, the president has in the past explained directly to the American people the reasons for taking military action, and then acted.
Coats said the current allegations against Bill Clinton have aversely affected his credibility, which has weakened his standing with other world leaders.
"The Clinton administration has placed us in quite a different situation than we were seven years ago," said Coats, referring to Bush Administration's handling of Iraq.
"The Bush Administration had a great amount of authority around the world, from years of cultivating relationships, working to establish a coalition in the Gulf, and years of respected service in international affairs."
Regardless of Coats' opinion on the administration, since 1991 he has believed that Saddam Hussein must be removed from power or he will continue to cause problems and "remain a thorn in the side of the international community." [[In-content Ad]]
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The United States needs more clearly defined goals in its dealings with Iraq's Saddam Hussein, U.S. Sen. Dan Coats said after Wednesday's televised Town Meeting.
Coats said he believes the U.S. needs to be clear about the goals it intends to pursue in Iraq. Those goals should include having unfettered access to all sites in Iraq, which would fulfill the UN resolutions, the removal of Saddam Hussein from power, and, according to Coats, "... To replace him (Hussein) with a democratically-elected government."
Coats, who is also the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Air-Land Subcommittee, and a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, believes that "laying out the options for the American people in a town hall meeting sends a mixed message to Saddam Hussein and other leaders around the world as they watch protesters emphasizing our divisions."
Coats was referring to the town meeting Wednesday where anti-war protesters disrupted the remarks of Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen, and National Security Advisor Sandy Berger with loud chanting and jeers.
According to Coats, the president has in the past explained directly to the American people the reasons for taking military action, and then acted.
Coats said the current allegations against Bill Clinton have aversely affected his credibility, which has weakened his standing with other world leaders.
"The Clinton administration has placed us in quite a different situation than we were seven years ago," said Coats, referring to Bush Administration's handling of Iraq.
"The Bush Administration had a great amount of authority around the world, from years of cultivating relationships, working to establish a coalition in the Gulf, and years of respected service in international affairs."
Regardless of Coats' opinion on the administration, since 1991 he has believed that Saddam Hussein must be removed from power or he will continue to cause problems and "remain a thorn in the side of the international community." [[In-content Ad]]