‘Force of Logic or Logic of Force’ to Win, Quayle Says

Vice President Dan Quayle called today’s planned meeting between Secretary of State James A. Baker III and Iraqi Foreign Minister Tarik Aziz “the last chance for peace” and re-emphasized the Bush Administration’s willingness to wage all-out war.

“One way or another, I am certain that Saddam Hussein will yield--either to the force of logic or the logic of force,” the vice president said during a speech in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Unless the Iraqi president withdraws his troops from Kuwait by the Jan. 15 deadline set by the United Nations, his army will risk “quick, massive and decisive” action from the U.S. and allied forces, Quayle said. Suggesting that a military strike could come soon, the vice president argued against “armchair strategists” who advocate prolonged patience to allow economic sanctions to take a further toll on Iraq.

Quayle’s speech before 1,100 guests of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, broadcast live on the C-Span channel, was interrupted several times by applause and twice by anti-war protesters, whom authorities promptly removed from the banquet hall. “No war in the Middle East!” a middle-aged woman yelled.

“Let me tell you, ma’am, we are trying to resolve this crisis peacefully,” Quayle replied.

While Quayle spoke inside the Century Plaza, about 90 anti-war protesters demonstrated outside. Several mocked the vice president’s service in the National Guard during the Vietnam War with such signs as “Dan Quayle: Draft Dodger, War Monger.”