Senator Collins, who has expressed her concerns regarding regional instability that could be caused by an attack on Iraq and Iraq's lack of compliance with past United Nations resolutions requiring weapons inspections, questioned both Secretary Schlesinger and Mr. Berger on the possibility of Iraq allowing new, unfettered and rigorous inspections.
"I agree on the need to build international support," said Senator Collins. "But, given Iraq's past defiance of U.N. resolutions there is no guarantee Saddam will comply with new resolutions.
"I am concerned that a U.S. attack on Iraq could topple friendly, but fragile Arab governments in the region. These dangers could grow if Saddam were to attack Israel, as he did in the Persian Gulf war. The fall of these regimes could threaten U.S. access to military bases and overflight rights needed in the war on terrorism, and place at risk valuable intelligence sources."
The purpose of today's hearing is to continue to receive testimony on U.S. policy toward Iraq, including the possibility of using military force against Iraq in the event that the situation relating to Iraq's non-compliance with a series of U.N. Security Council resolutions including their efforts to produce weapons of mass destruction, is not resolved through diplomatic or other means.
"The public and Congress need to be assured that if pre-emptive military action is taken against Iraq, that the risks associated with a U.S.- led Coalition attack on Iraq are acceptable to defer our Nation's attention, intelligence resources and armed forces from Afghanistan and other military theaters in the war on terrorism.
Today's hearing is the latest in a series of hearings being heard in the upcoming weeks by members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on U.S. policy on Iraq.