--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What we said publicly is that we know…" description: "\"What we said publicly is that we know that Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons, he's used them; we know about his biological weapons programs; and in t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/richard-armitage-2741_biological-weapons_what-we-said-publicly-is-that-we-know-th_2676608.jpg" --- # What we said publicly is that we know that Saddam Hussein… ![“What we said publicly is that we know that Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons, he's used them; we know about his biological weapons programs; and in the nuclear equation, left to his own devices, with no fissile material, by the end of the decade, he'll have a nuclear weapon. But if fissile…” quote by Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/richard-armitage-2741_biological-weapons_what-we-said-publicly-is-that-we-know-th_2676608.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/richard-armitage-2741_biological-weapons_what-we-said-publicly-is-that-we-know-th_2676608.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89d/richard-armitage-2741_biological-weapons_what-we-said-publicly-is-that-we-know-th_2676608.jpg) > “What we said publicly is that we know that Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons, he's used them; we know about his biological weapons programs; and in the nuclear equation, left to his own devices, with no fissile material, by the end of the decade, he'll have a nuclear weapon. But if fissile material is provided to Saddam Hussein, he'll have a nuclear weapon within a year, so I'd say the year is the outside timetable.” [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Saddam could acquire a nuclear weapon quickly if given fissile material; timeline is short. **In simple terms:** Prevent material transfer to stop nuclear development. Key Takeaway Block supply chains. Themes security proliferation policy Mood cautious urgent Type political strategic When to use this quote - diplomacy - intelligence gathering - non‑proliferation treaties - sanctions Key Concepts nuclear deterrence geopolitics Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can stop material flow? - How reliable are intelligence assessments? A Different Perspective Political constraints may limit enforcement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Biological weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biological-weapons/) [Chemical weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chemical-weapons/) [Iraq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iraq/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Nuclear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear/) [Nuclear weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuclear-weapons/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [We know Saddam Hussein possesses chemical weapons - he has for nearly 20 years as we know only so well from his use of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandy-berger/we-know-saddam-hussein-possesses-chemical-weapons-he-has-for-nearly/) [Sandy Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandy-berger/) > [We know that Saddam Hussein is determined to keep his weapons of mass destruction, is determined to make more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/we-know-that-saddam-hussein-is-determined-to-keep-his-weapons-of-mass/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The CIA estimates that Iraq probably has a few hundred metric tons of chemical weapons agents, for mustard gas, sarin, and other deadly concoctions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/the-cia-estimates-that-iraq-probably-has-a-few-hundred-metric-tons-of/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [Well, there is no question that we have evidence and information that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, biological and chemical particularly . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/well-there-is-no-question-that-we-have-evidence-and-information-that/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/we-know-that-he-has-stored-secret-supplies-of-biological-and-chemical/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [What surprises me, what amazes me, is that it seems the military people were expecting to stumble on large quantities of gas, chemical weapons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-blix/what-surprises-me-what-amazes-me-is-that-it-seems-the-military-people/) [Hans Blix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-blix/) > [There is no doubt that . Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-graham/there-is-no-doubt-that-saddam-hussein-has-reinvigorated-his-weapons/) [Bob Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-graham/) > [People can quarrel with whether we should have more troops in Afghanistan or internationalize Iraq or whatever, but it is incontestable that on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/people-can-quarrel-with-whether-we-should-have-more-troops-in/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [Chemical weapons, biological weapons, and nuclear weapons should never be used.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/chemical-weapons-biological-weapons-and-nuclear-weapons-should-never/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapon stock,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/in-the-four-years-since-the-inspectors-left-intelligence-reports-show/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [If left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-left-unchecked-saddam-hussein-will-continue-to-increase-his/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-waxman/he-has-systematically-violated-over-the-course-of-the-past-11-years/) [Henry Waxman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-waxman/) > [Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/every-day-saddam-remains-in-power-with-chemical-weapons-biological/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-byrd/the-last-un-weapons-inspectors-left-iraq-in-october-of-1998-we-are/) [Robert Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-byrd/) > [I come to this debate, Mr. Speaker, as one at the end of 10 years in office on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-come-to-this-debate-mr-speaker-as-one-at-the-end-of-10-years-in/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) ## More by Richard Armitage > [Some of the mail I've had has been weird. When I played Guy of Gisborne, a woman crocheted a mini-version of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/some-of-the-mail-i-ve-had-has-been-weird-when-i-played-guy-of/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [We've had Saudis and Jordanians and Pakistanis who have - and Syrians - who have been involved in armed attacks against coalition forces in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/we-ve-had-saudis-and-jordanians-and-pakistanis-who-have-and-syrians/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [I'd say that, to be a good deal maker, you have to have three basic characteristics - timing, timing, and timing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-d-say-that-to-be-a-good-deal-maker-you-have-to-have-three-basic/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [Monet was like a conductor. He painted with quite a straight arm and used bold strokes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/monet-was-like-a-conductor-he-painted-with-quite-a-straight-arm-and/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [Ive never been that cute kid that was forgiven for being naughty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/ive-never-been-that-cute-kid-that-was-forgiven-for-being-naughty/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [Sometimes I hate the job that I do as an actor. I feel like I'm just of no importance in the world, but sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/sometimes-i-hate-the-job-that-i-do-as-an-actor-i-feel-like-i-m-just/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [Let's be clear: Neither Secretary Powell or I opposed the notion of removing Saddam Hussein by force, but we wanted to avoid the war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/let-s-be-clear-neither-secretary-powell-or-i-opposed-the-notion-of/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [It is possible to work out of New York on film and television and still not lose your connection to theater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/it-is-possible-to-work-out-of-new-york-on-film-and-television-and/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [I've done an awful lot of skiing all over Europe: I've done Italy, Austria, France. I skied loads in New Zealand - I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-ve-done-an-awful-lot-of-skiing-all-over-europe-i-ve-done-italy/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [The problem with me is I read everything, but it's only the bad stuff that stays with me. It's weird, you only need to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/the-problem-with-me-is-i-read-everything-but-it-s-only-the-bad-stuff/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [I was an estate agent for three years. That was pretty grim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-was-an-estate-agent-for-three-years-that-was-pretty-grim/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [U.S. assistance provides the Jordanian government needed flexibility to pursue policies that are of critical importance to U.S. national security and to foreign policy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/u-s-assistance-provides-the-jordanian-government-needed-flexibility/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [I didn't become an actor because I thought I'd make lots of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-didn-t-become-an-actor-because-i-thought-i-d-make-lots-of-money/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [I know what Twitter is; I don't use it. I don't use Facebook, so luckily, it does zero to my ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-know-what-twitter-is-i-don-t-use-it-i-don-t-use-facebook-so-luckily/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) > [I'm not much of a show-off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-armitage/i-m-not-much-of-a-show-off/) [Richard Armitage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) [Explore all 152 Richard Armitage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-armitage/) ## More Biological weapons quotes > [Israel has a couple of hundred nuclear weapons and also chemical and biological weapons. This stockpile is not only a threat in itself but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/israel-has-a-couple-of-hundred-nuclear-weapons-and-also-chemical-and/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I come to this debate, Mr. Speaker, as one at the end of 10 years in office on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-come-to-this-debate-mr-speaker-as-one-at-the-end-of-10-years-in/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [One of the most worrisome things that emerges from the thick intelligence file we have on Iraq's biological weapons is the existence of mobile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/one-of-the-most-worrisome-things-that-emerges-from-the-thick/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-byrd/the-last-un-weapons-inspectors-left-iraq-in-october-of-1998-we-are/) [Robert Byrd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-byrd/) > [If you take the biological weapons in the United States we still will have perhaps a single individual who was able to make anthrax,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-blix/if-you-take-the-biological-weapons-in-the-united-states-we-still-will/) [Hans Blix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-blix/) > [While the distance between the United States and Iraq is great, Saddam Hussein's ability to use his chemical and biological weapons against us is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-feinstein/while-the-distance-between-the-united-states-and-iraq-is-great-saddam/) [Dianne Feinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-feinstein/) > [There's no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat Yes, he has chemical and biological weapons. He's had those for a long time. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wesley-clark/there-s-no-question-that-saddam-hussein-is-a-threat-yes-he-has/) [Wesley Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wesley-clark/) > [I think the danger right now is that without effective inspections, without effective monitoring, Iraq can in a very short period of time measured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-ritter/i-think-the-danger-right-now-is-that-without-effective-inspections/) [Scott Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-ritter/) > [We expected, I expected to find actual usable, chemical or biological weapons after we entered Iraq.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/we-expected-i-expected-to-find-actual-usable-chemical-or-biological/) [Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/) > [Every day Saddam remains in power with chemical weapons, biological weapons, and the development of nuclear weapons is a day of danger for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lieberman/every-day-saddam-remains-in-power-with-chemical-weapons-biological/) [Joe Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lieberman/) > [We will stand mighty for peace and freedom and maintain a strong defense against terror and destruction. Our children will sleep free from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/we-will-stand-mighty-for-peace-and-freedom-and-maintain-a-strong/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-waxman/he-has-systematically-violated-over-the-course-of-the-past-11-years/) [Henry Waxman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-waxman/) > [Although it is tempting to imagine an ancient era innocent of biochemical weaponry, in fact this Pandora's box of horrors was opened thousands of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-mayor/although-it-is-tempting-to-imagine-an-ancient-era-innocent-of/) Adrienne Mayor > [Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/simply-stated-there-is-no-doubt-that-saddam-hussein-now-has-weapons/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [If left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-left-unchecked-saddam-hussein-will-continue-to-increase-his/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) [Browse all 66 Biological weapons quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biological-weapons/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What we said publicly is that we know that Saddam Hussein has chemical weapons, he's used them; we know about his biological weapons programs; and in the nuclear equation, left to his own devices, with no fissile material, by the end of the decade, he'll have a nuclear weapon. 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