US Vice President Repeats Accusations on Iraq

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, September 09, 2002

US Vice President Repeats Accusations on Iraq

US Vice-President Dick Cheney on Sunday repeated charges on Baghdad, saying that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is "actively and aggressively" trying to build nuclear weapons.

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US Vice-President Dick Cheney on Sunday repeated charges on Baghdad, saying that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is "actively and aggressively" trying to build nuclear weapons.

"We know we have a part of the picture and that part of the picture tells us that he is in fact actively and aggressively seeking to acquire nuclear weapons," Cheney said on NBC's "Meet the Press" program.

Cheney, a staunch advocate for removing President Saddam from power with force, claimed that Iraq has the technical expertise and designs for a nuclear weapon, and has been seeking a special type of aluminum tube which is needed to enrich weapon-trade uranium.

The US vice-president reiterated that the Bush the administration must consider preemptive strikes to head off potential attacks against the US in the aftermath of the September11 attacks on New York and Washington.

"If we have reason to believe someone is preparing an attack against the U.S., has developed that capability, harbors those aspirations, then I think the U.S. is justified in dealing with that if necessary by military force," he said.

Cheney said in case of a US military strike to topple Saddam, US forces will have to stay in Iraq for a prolonged period to ensure the survival of a new government.

He argued that though war could be very costly, the danger of an attack against the US by someone with weapons of mass destruction is far more costly than what it would cost the US to deal with the problem in advance.

Appearing on "Fox News Sunday" program, US Secretary of State Colin Powell also said he believes Saddam poses a threat to the US interests both at present and in the future, especially when he develops the capability to deliver weapons of mass destruction at greater ranges.

"I don't think we should just sit around and wait to see whether or not he does it or not," Powell said.

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