” ‘We know that Saddam Hussein is determined to keep his weapons of mass destruction, is determined to make more,’ [Secretary of State Colin] Powell said in closing [in his speech to the U.N. Security Council on February 5, 2003]. ‘Given Saddam Hussein’s history of aggression, given what we know of his grandiose plans, given what we know of his terrorist associations and given his determination to exact revenge on those who oppose him, should we take the risk that he will not some day use these weapons at a time and a place and in a manner of his choosing, at a time when the world is in a much weaker position to respond? The United States will not and cannot run that risk for the American people.’ The Security Council, in Resolution 1441, had given Iraq one last chance, he said. ‘Iraq is not, so far, taking that one last chance. We must not shrink from whatever is ahead of us. We must not fail in our duty and our responsibility to the citizens of the countries that are represented by this body.’ ”
– Karen DeYoung, Soldier: The Life of Colin Powell, Pages 449-450