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" To sum up, the position we took was that since we didn't know the internal situation in Iraq nor Saddam Hussein, that our best bet was to take counsel from the people who did know him and who did deal with him. "

Brent Scowcroft

Situation

People

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" After all, we didn't bring democracy to Germany in 1945; Hitler destroyed democracy there first. "

" So far the changes in the president in his second term have been mainly of a rhetorical nature. "

" We must find out where the roots of terrorism lie. "

" Yes, Israel's our ally. But, are the Palestinians our enemy? No, they are not. "

" My point was that removing Saddam should not have been our highest priority. Fighting terrorism should have been our number one concern, followed by the Palestinian peace process. "

" Progress is only possible if the United States and its allies work together. "

" First of all, I think the Saudis are deeply concerned about the collapse of negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians and the resumption of conflict. "

" But figuring out Saddam Hussein was one our greatest mysteries. He marched to his own drummer and frequently as this unfolded he made decisions which were sometimes inexplicable to us and sometimes didn't look very smart. "

Brent Scowcroft

Decisions

Smart

" I'm afraid that the United States is more isolated today than at any other time in my memory. "

" America has never seen itself as a national state like all others, but rather as an experiment in human freedom and democracy. "

" The radical elements in Islam are very dangerous. "

" If Iraq were to descend into chaos, the Europeans would feel the effects just as much as we would. "

" It is beyond dispute that Saddam Hussein is a menace. "

" But, if you believe we should go around the world overturning regimes to make little United States, I don't agree with that, because I don't think we're capable of doing that. "

Brent Scowcroft

Think

You

" The Iraqi elections were an important first step. "

" But the central point is that any campaign against Iraq, whatever the strategy, cost and risks, is certain to divert us for some indefinite period from our war on terrorism. "

" Saddam's ouster will not necessarily lead to the same result, since Iraq lacks democratic traditions. Democracy doesn't just consist of holding elections. "

" Many Sunnis, who are still stuck in the Saddam era mindset and believe Iraq belongs to them, are trying to prevent a new country from developing at all. "

" But there is scant evidence to tie Saddam to terrorist organizations, and even less to the Sept. 11 attacks. "

" Simply killing everyone who is already a terrorist today won't solve the problem. "

" You know, different people are going to react different ways. And I don't think we should be intolerable because people do things a little differently. "

" The Iraqis need help establishing a government. We have to provide them with security. "

" Saddam is a familiar dictatorial aggressor, with traditional goals for his aggression. "

" The UN could help the Iraqi government get on its feet and help the United States withdraw a bit more. "

Brent Scowcroft

Feet

Help