Secretary of State Colin Powel speech to the United Nations Council
Secretary of State Colin Powell Speech to the United Nations
February 5, 2003
Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the United Nations on February 5, 2003 in New York City with the purpose to get a multinational authorization for the invasion of Iraq seeking regime-change. Powell's speech utilized evidence such as satellite photos, intercepted communications, and defectors, he built a case against Iraq’s alleged deception over their alleged weapons of mass destruction. Powell stated that Iraq was producing chemical and biological weapons; making them a threat to national security. He also noted that Iraq has ties with the extremist group Al-Qaida making the situation more dangerous because of the violence that Al Qaida generates. Altogether, Powell's goal was to persuade the U.N. Council that Saddam Hussein was evading weapon inspectors, making WMD's, concealing the biological weapons, and sheltering terrorists associated with Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. Powell stated that the United States should seek domination in the Middle East by "intimidation, coercion, and annihilation." After the infamous speech the U.S, U.K., and Spain all agreed that Iraq should be met with force however France and Russia opposed the plan of attack saying that additional inspection must be done before military action. It soon became clear that the multinational authorization would not pass and was withdrawn from consideration.
In hindsight, Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech resulted in a poor view and humiliation for the United States. Powell claimed false information about the Iraqi's possession and production of WMD's that was later found to be untrue. However, the speech was significant in the Iraq War because it began the U.S. declaring their intention to invade Iraq. Powell sparked conversation when he claimed that Iraq possessed chemical weapons, and therefore sought support of other countries in order to bring Iraq down with force. Although the speech marked the beginning of the Iraq war, it is now considered a failure for the U.S.
February 5, 2003
Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the United Nations on February 5, 2003 in New York City with the purpose to get a multinational authorization for the invasion of Iraq seeking regime-change. Powell's speech utilized evidence such as satellite photos, intercepted communications, and defectors, he built a case against Iraq’s alleged deception over their alleged weapons of mass destruction. Powell stated that Iraq was producing chemical and biological weapons; making them a threat to national security. He also noted that Iraq has ties with the extremist group Al-Qaida making the situation more dangerous because of the violence that Al Qaida generates. Altogether, Powell's goal was to persuade the U.N. Council that Saddam Hussein was evading weapon inspectors, making WMD's, concealing the biological weapons, and sheltering terrorists associated with Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. Powell stated that the United States should seek domination in the Middle East by "intimidation, coercion, and annihilation." After the infamous speech the U.S, U.K., and Spain all agreed that Iraq should be met with force however France and Russia opposed the plan of attack saying that additional inspection must be done before military action. It soon became clear that the multinational authorization would not pass and was withdrawn from consideration.
In hindsight, Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech resulted in a poor view and humiliation for the United States. Powell claimed false information about the Iraqi's possession and production of WMD's that was later found to be untrue. However, the speech was significant in the Iraq War because it began the U.S. declaring their intention to invade Iraq. Powell sparked conversation when he claimed that Iraq possessed chemical weapons, and therefore sought support of other countries in order to bring Iraq down with force. Although the speech marked the beginning of the Iraq war, it is now considered a failure for the U.S.