Mr Major’s Comments on Saddam Hussein – 19 April 1995

Below is the text of Mr Major’s comments on Saddam Hussein and the war with Iraq, made on 19th April 1995.

QUESTION:

[Mr Major was asked why the UK was involved in the war against Saddam Hussein]

PRIME MINISTER:

The UK I think had several interests after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, they were interests of principle and interests of practice. In terms of principle I don’t think you can stand by and see one country raped by another in that fashion. In terms of practice, what would have happened after Kuwait? Where would Saddam have gone? Would he had gone right down the Gulf? What economic disruption would that have caused? So I think on both grounds of principle and practice it was essential to stop what he was doing, stop it comprehensively and stop it straight away.