Clinton’s Address: ‘Don’t Tread on Us’

Excerpts from President Clinton’s Saturday address:

My fellow Americans, this evening I want to speak with you about an attack by the government of Iraq against the United States and the actions we have just taken to respond.

This past April, the Kuwaiti government uncovered what they suspected was a car-bombing plot to assassinate former President George Bush while he was visiting Kuwait City. The Kuwaiti authorities arrested 16 suspects, including two Iraqi nationals. Following those arrests, I ordered our own intelligence and law-enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and independent investigation. . . .

This Thursday, Atty. Gen. (Janet) Reno and Director of Central Intelligence (R. James) Woolsey gave me their findings. Based on their investigation, there is compelling evidence that there was, in fact, a plot to assassinate former President Bush and that this plot, which included the use of a powerful bomb made in Iraq, was directed and pursued by the Iraqi intelligence service.

We should not be surprised by such deeds, coming, as they do, from a regime like Saddam Hussein’s, which has ruled by atrocity, slaughtered its own people, invaded two neighbors, attacked others and engaged in chemical and environmental warfare. Saddam has repeatedly violated the will and conscience of the international community. But this attempt at revenge by a tyrant, against the leader of the world coalition that defeated him in war, is particularly loathsome and cowardly. We thank God it was unsuccessful. . . .

It is clear that this was no impulsive or random act. It was an elaborate plan devised by the Iraqi government and directed against a former President of the United States, because of actions he took as President. As such, the Iraqi attack against President Bush was an attack against our country and against all Americans. We could not and have not let such action against our nation go unanswered.

From the first days of our revolution, American security has depended on the clarity of this message: Don’t tread on us. A firm and commensurate response was essential to protect our sovereignty, to send a message to those who engage in state-sponsored terrorism, to deter further violence against our people and to affirm the expectation of civilized behavior among nations. . . .

Therefore, on Friday, I ordered our forces to launch a cruise missile attack on the Iraqi intelligence service’s principal command and control facility in Baghdad. Those missiles were launched this afternoon at 4:22 EDT. They landed approximately an hour ago.

I have discussed this action with the congressional leadership and with our allies and friends in the region. And I have called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to expose Iraq’s crime. . . .

The world has repeatedly made clear what Iraq must do to return to the community of nations. And Iraq has repeatedly refused. If Saddam and his regime contemplate further illegal, provocative actions, they can be certain of our response. . . .

Finally, I want to say this to all the American people: While the Cold War has ended, the world is not free of danger. And I am determined to take the steps necessary to keep our nation secure. We will keep our forces ready to fight. We will work to head off emerging threats. And we will take action when action is required. That is precisely what we have done today.

Thank you, and God bless America.