Ten years ago this month, President Bill Clinton signed the Iraq Liberation Act, which declared:
“It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.”
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of this landmark legislation, let’s flash back to the events surrounding its passage.
FLASHBACK 18
George F. Will, Nov. 18, 1998, on President Clinton’s legacy:
“Saddam will not be removed by radio broadcasts, or by Kurdish, Shiite and other resistance groups supported only by money and air power from the United States and others. … Neither can insurgencies be protected from the air against a ruthless tyrant’s military and security apparatus. …
“Someone should acquaint Clinton with Alan Bullock’s epigraph for his biography of Hitler. It is Aristotle’s statement, ‘Men do not become tyrants in order to keep out the cold.’ That is, tyrants are not banal utilitarians; they have unusual passions and aspirations. … Perhaps last weekend clarified this much: Clinton’s foremost legacy will be Saddam -- overthrown, or more secure and threatening than ever.”
Victory in Iraq. On Oct. 31, 1998, when President Clinton signed the Iraq Liberation Act, “regime change” and democracy in Iraq became official goals of American foreign policy. Five years later, President George W. Bush ordered the U.S.-led invasion that removed Saddam and allowed the Iraqi people to choose their first democratic government. Ten years after the Iraq Liberation Act, Iraq is liberated.
Frank Warner
The celebration continues tomorrow!
Gallery of Flashbacks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.
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