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March
20, 2003
AMBASSADOR
GUEST'S STATEMENTS ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES IN IRAQ
"The
coalition began military operations in Iraq earlier this morning.
We
have determined that after 12 years of defiance and deception,
the time has come to put an end to Saddam Hussein's threat to
his own people, to the region and to the world community. Military
action would not have been our preferred course, but we know that
this course is right and unfortunately it is necessary.
We've
had very extensive conversations and discussions with the Romanian
Government over the past several weeks. Most recently I met yesterday
with the Prime Minister and with the President to discuss our
evaluation of the situation. That was of course before President
Bush made this decision to move forward with military action.
Vice President Cheney called President Iliescu late last night
to discuss this further and this morning I have spoken with the
Prime Minister, with the Foreign Minister, with the Defense Minister
and with Mr. Talpes. Our coordination and our discussions are
very intense. They will remain so, and I do want to say that we
appreciate very much the strong partnership that we have with
the Romanian Government on this issue and on many others. We appreciate
the support of the Romanian people as well.
I
pray that God will bless our soldiers and our countries and will
protect us, and that God will protect the Iraqi people. We hope
that this mission will be as short as possible. Every effort will
be made to preserve lives, every effort will be made to provide
humanitarian relief."
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