Senator Hagel's Statement on President's Address to the Nation

Hagel Statement on President's Address to the Nation

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) issued this statement following President George W. Bush's address to the nation this evening:

"The President and Secretary of State have done everything they could over the last ten days to get a second UN Security Council Resolution. Although we did not succeed, our efforts served an important and useful purpose.

"The President has said we will need the U.N. to help rebuild Iraq, and Trans-Atlantic solidarity will be critical to helping to bring stability to the Middle East. That is why his re- commitment to the implementation of the Road Map for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process - developed in consultation with Russia, the United Nations and the European Union- is so important.

"The President has always said the use of force would be our last option. If Saddam Hussein doesn't leave, the United States will be forced to lead a coalition to disarm him.

"The following days and weeks will be challenging for the American people. Our thoughts and prayers are with our troops and their families, who are making great sacrifices for the security of our nation and the world."