August 14, 1998

MEMORANDUM TO: OPINION LEADERS

FROM: GARY SCHMITT

SUBJECT: Iraq

In this morning's Washington Post, State Department correspondent Barton Gellman has an astonishing revelation: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright intervened on several occasions in recent weeks to prevent the UN inspectors in Iraq from conducting surprise inspections at two sites where there is “evidence of forbidden chemical and biological weapons and the ballistic missiles capable of deploying them.” If true, these allegations raise fundamental questions about the Clinton administration's handling of the most serious national security crisis since the Gulf War. Saddam now has reason to believe the U.S. has no intention of preventing his production of weapons of mass destruction.

Congress should hold hearings immediately at which Secretary Albright can explain her actions. Such an investigation cannot wait until after the congressional recess.