Sen. Orrin Hatch addresses Utah Senate: 'We simply can't sit back' on Iraq; local issues also on the agenda

U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch addressed the Utah State Senate on Feb. 17, telling lawmakers he believes Saddam Hussein is in violation of United Nations resolutions and that international enforcement or U.S. action is required. Hatch framed the issue as both a foreign-policy imperative and a factor in domestic economic confidence.

"We simply can't sit back and allow Saddam Hussein to continue to send weapons of mass destruction... He is a threat to our country," Hatch said in remarks that stressed chemical and biological capabilities and the difficulty of inspectors finding concealed stockpiles. He said it remains uncertain whether Iraq had acquired a nuclear device, but said intelligence suggested Iraq 'came very close.'

Hatch also fielded questions from senators on topics of local concern, including a proposal to store spent nuclear fuel near the Goshute reservation and base-closure risks for Hill Air Force Base. He said he and the congressional delegation were working weekly to oppose interim storage in Utah and suggested a range of alternative approaches had been proposed to the Department of Energy and the White House.

On economic questions posed by senators, Hatch said federal tax policy and the prospect of judicial nominations in the Senate influence national confidence and can affect state budgets. He defended the administration's approach to accelerating rate reductions and said removing double taxation on dividends could promote corporate responsibility.

Hatch's visit and the extended Q&A drew bipartisan recognition from senators for his long service and for raising national and local issues of immediate concern to Utahns. The Senate recessed committee proceedings after the address and thanked him for his time.