Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has given the green light for the use of weapons of mass destruction if a war is declared against his country, a high-ranking US defense official said in remarks published in Cairo Sunday.
In case of war, Washington was looking to reduce the danger to civilians as well as protect strategic oil wells, he said.
"We know that Saddam Hussein has given a green light to his officers to use weapons of mass destruction ... and we think he possesses biological weapons," Peter Rodman, assistance secretary of defense, told Al-Ahram.
Asked whether the United States would strike back with similar weapons, Rodman declined to specify.
"I do not want to say anything precise, but President (George) W. Bush circulated a document, a few months ago, about weapons of mass destruction. We reserve the right to respond with overwhelming forces, of our own choice."
"We are prepared, we are getting ready for the worst, but we are also preparing for victory, under all circumstances," he said.
However, he added, "all this is hypothetical, because (US)President Bush has not yet taken a decision" on war.
Rodman said one of the key American goals in a possible war was to reduce the dangers facing the Iraqi civilian population and key infrastructures, especially oil wells.
Military plans include provisions to "diminish the danger facing the population and infrastructures," he said.
"We want to protect oil wells. Saddam Hussein is perhaps aiming to destroy the economic structures in the country, but we will do our best to prevent him from doing that."
In addition, Rodman said Washington wanted to wage the war in a "fast and efficient manner," and added that if Saddam Hussein "wants to start the war, he will make things easier" for us.
"If he starts it, we will finish it," he made clear. (Albawaba.com)
