Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Kerry admits preferring more diplomacy but supports the decision to disarm Saddam Hussein.
In plain terms
I wanted more diplomacy, but disarming Saddam was the right choice.
What can you take from it?
Disarmament decisions can be supported even with reservations.

Where it applies

  • political statements
  • war votes
  • policy debates

Putting it to work

  • policy support
  • diplomatic reflection

Questions to consider

  • Is disarmament worth the cost?
  • When is diplomacy insufficient?

Another view

Diplomacy might have worked without military intervention.

More from John Kerry

  1. If you don't believe...Saddam Hussein is a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn't vote for me.

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. I voted to hold Saddam Hussein accountable. I knew we had to hold him accountable. There's never been a doubt about that. But I also know that if we had done t…

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. If Saddam Hussein is unwilling to bend to the international community's already existing order, then he will have invited enforcement, even if that enforcement…

    Permalink to quote #5

Related quotes

  1. Canada's position was Saddam Hussein should be disarmed. Now, to be quite honest, I had a lot of difficulty understanding how he was going to be disarmed witho…

    Paul MartinPaul Martin quote #1
  2. 'If goods cannot cross borders, armies will.'

    Cordell HullCordell Hull quote #2
  3. We must recognize that there is no indication that Saddam Hussein has any intention of relenting. So we have an obligation of enormous consequence, an obligati…

    John KerryJohn Kerry quote #4