Dave Eberhart, NewsMax.com
Monday, Dec. 22, 2003

The name of this “cop” is John R. Bolton, the State Department’s under secretary for Arms Control and International Security.

Working with Secretary of State Colin Powell, Bolton has fingered several rogue nations targeted by the U.S., including Libya, Syria and Iran.

Libyan dictator Col. Moammar Gadhafi has been claiming on the record that his surprise agreement to dismantle his country’s WMD was uninfluenced by the U.S. invasion of Iraq or the unglamorous fate of Saddam Hussein. But it’s clear he was worried after being indentified by Bolton as one of the U.S. government’s next targets in its war on terror.

As Bolton recently addressed the Bruges Group in London, his concerns about Libya could not have been more clear:

“Rogue states such as Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya and Cuba, whose pursuit of weapons of mass destruction makes them hostile to U.S. interests, will learn that their covert programs will not escape either detection or consequences. And while we will pursue diplomatic solutions whenever possible, the United States and its allies must be willing to deploy more robust techniques, such as the interdiction and seizure of illicit goods, the disruption of procurement networks, sanctions, or other means. If rogue states are not willing to follow the logic of nonproliferation norms, they must be prepared to face the logic of adverse consequences. It is why we repeatedly caution that no option is off the table.”

This past summer Bolton, in testimony before the House International Relations Committee, declared: “Libya must understand that improved relations with the United States means forgoing its WMD and missile programs. We are urging the closest possible scrutiny by potential suppliers and the strictest possible enforcement of export controls to prevent sensitive transfers to Libya.”

Bolton’s rhetoric moved steadily up the scale from advisory to dire warning.

In remarks to the Second Global Conference on Nuclear, Bio/Chem Terrorism: Mitigation and Response in November 2002, the official noted that Libya continued to pursue an indigenous chemical warfare production capability, relying heavily on foreign suppliers for precursor chemicals, technical expertise, and other key equipment for chemical warfare.

“Moreover,” Bolton added, “the United States believes that Libya has an offensive BW program in the research and development stage, and it may currently be capable of producing small quantities of biological agent. It continues efforts to obtain ballistic missile-related equipment, materials, technology, and expertise from foreign sources. Further, we are persuaded that Libya is continuing its longstanding pursuit of nuclear weapons, and the suspension of UN sanctions against it has increased its access to nuclear-related materials and equipment.”

As far back as May 2002, Bolton was composing a clarion call to the dictator that his time would come if he did not change policies:

“However, as I have also said, words are not enough. The key is to see clear, hard evidence that Libya will, in fact, live up to the public standards it has set for itself. Libya can make a positive gesture in this regard by fulfilling its obligations under WMD treaties and becoming a party to the CWC. Moreover, Libya must honor the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions relating to the resolution of Pan Am 103, arguably the worst air terrorist disaster prior to September 11. Libya has yet to comply fully with these resolutions, which include accepting responsibility and paying compensation. It is past time that Libya did this.”

Administration sources say Bolton’s warnings are working primarily because President Bush went to war with Iraq. When the administration speaks, rogue leaders cannot dismiss the administration’s determination.

So far, the Bush administration has made significant progress with Syria, Libya and Iran. Cuba and North Korea remain hostile to American efforts.

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