Byrd Challenges Bush's Ideas on War
West Virginia Senator Warns of Another Vietnam

By Paul J. Nyden
West Virginia Gazette

June 29, 2002

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., gave a major speech Friday, urging the Senate to play a central role in determining whether the nation will initiate military action against Iraq or any other nation.

Byrd criticized the Bush administration for "saber-rattling" and "unwise and dangerous effort to keep the public and Congress largely in the dark. ..."

"Shrouded in ambiguity and cloaked in deep secrecy, this administration continues to suddenly, and sometimes unexpectedly, drop its decisions upon the public and Congress, and expect obedient approval, without question, without debate, and without opposition."

Byrd left no doubt he would like to see Saddam Hussein removed from power. "He has promoted the starvation of Iraqi children so that he and his cabal can live in palaces. Saddam Hussein is a scourge on the people of Iraq and a menace to peace."

But as a student of Senate history, Byrd referred to past tragedies in arguing for Senate debate and public participation in major policy decisions.

"As we learned all too well in Korea, Vietnam and Somalia, it is dangerous to present Congress and the American people with a fait accompli on important matters of foreign affairs."

Byrd mentioned Sens. Ernst Gruening, D-Alaska, and Wayne Morse, D-Ore., the only two senators who voted against the Gulf of Tonkin resolution on Aug. 7, 1964.

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