"Desert Shield" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bush George)

     Five months ago, Saddam Hussein started this cruel war against Kuwait;
tonight the battle has been joined.  This military action, taken in accord
with United Nations resolutions and with the consent of the United States
Congress, follows months of constant and virtually endless diplomatic
activity on the part of the United Nations, the United States and many,
many other countries.
 
     Arab leaders sought what became known as an Arab solution, only to
conclude that Saddam Hussein was unwilling to leave Kuwait.  Others traveled
to Baghdad in a variety of efforts to restore peace and justice.  Our Secretary
of State, James Baker, held an historic meeting in Geneva only to be totally
rebuffed.
 
     This past weekend, in a last-ditch effort, the Secretary General of the
United Nations went to the Middle East with peace in his heart - his second
such mission, and he came back from Baghdad with no progress at all in getting
Saddam Hussein to withdraw from Kuwait.
 
     Now, the 28 countries with forces in the gulf area have exhausted all
reasonable efforts to reach a peaceful resolution, have no choice but to
drive Saddam from Kuwait by force.  We will not fail.
 
     As I report to you, air attacks are under way against military targets
in Iraq.  We are determined to knock out Saddam Hussein's nuclear bomb
potential.  We will also destroy his chemical weapons facilities.  Much of
Saddam's artillery and tanks will be destroyed.
 
     Our operations are designed to best protect the lives of all the coalition
forces by targeting Saddam's vast military arsenal.
 
     Initial reports from Gen. Schwarzkopf are that our operations are
proceeding according to plan.
 
     Our objectives are clear.  Saddam Hussein's forces will leave Kuwait.
The legitimate government of Kuwait will be restored to its rightful place
and Kuwait will once again be free.
 
     Iraq will eventually comply with all relevant United Nations resolutions
and then when peace is restored, it is our hope that Iraq will live as a
peaceful and cooperative member of the family of nations, thus enhancing
the security and stability of the gulf.
 
     Some may ask, "Why act now?  Why not wait?"  The answer is clear.
The world could wait no longer.
 
     Sanctions, though having some effect, showed no signs of accomplishing
their objective.  Sanctions were tried for well over five months and we
and our allies concluded that sanctions alone would not foarce Saddam from
Kuwait.