NBC INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR THOMAS DASCHLE

FEDERAL NEWS SERVICE

May 26, 2002

Excerpt

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MR. RUSSERT: Iraq: The U.S. military, according to numerous reports on NBC and newspapers throughout the country, suggesting that the military is concerned about whether we are prepared to launch a significant and successful attack on Iraq. Would President Daschle--how would he deal with that?

SEN. DASCHLE: Well, first of all, there isn't a President Daschle, so Senator Daschle believes that there ought to be a regime change, number one. I think that this is just a question of how do you do it. I think many people have expressed publicly the concern about an invasion at this time, until we've consulted more carefully with our allies, and most importantly, taking first things first. We've got a war in Afghanistan. We've got a very complex situation in the Middle East. I think what the generals and the hierarchy in the Pentagon seem to be saying is let's make sure we do this right, and we're not prepared to do it right, at least for the time being.

MR. RUSSERT: Do you concur with that, that we are not prepared at this time?

SEN. DASCHLE: Well, I have to assume that the Pentagon and that the reports about the Pentagon's judgment about this is accurate, and as I say, we strongly support a regime change. I think it's just a matter of time. I think the real question is: Can we do the other things and complete our work there prior to the time we move to this important project as well?

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