Secretary of Defense Dick "Cheney had discussed Saddam's weapons programs in an appearance on CBS's Face The Nation on November 25, 1990: 'We've known for a long time from public sources that he was trying to acquire nuclear weapons. The British intercepted devices intended to trigger a nuclear weapon in shipments to Iraq just last spring. We also know from intelligence sources that he's working on this problem very hard. The president [George H.W. Bush] made reference to it, but it shouldn't be a surprise to anybody. This man has developed ballistic missiles and used them, developed chemical weapons and used them, is trying to develop biological and nuclear weapons, has tested missiles at longer ranges than just the short-range SCUD. It's only a matter of time until he acquires nuclear weapons and the capability to deliver them. And that has to be, I think, an element of concern and–as we decide how to deal with the problem.' "
– Stephen F. Hayes, Cheney, 240-241