Isakson speaks out on Iraq

GAINESVILLE - Georgia congressman Johnny Isakson said in Gainesvile Monday morning the time has come to deal with Saddam Hussein.

Isakson, recalling the Vietnam War, said he did not do so lightly when he voted with other members of Congress to authorize a U.N. resolution calling on Iraq to disarm.

"I lost friends in Vietnam," Isakson said. "I knew the significance of the ultimate potential of that vote, but I also know...the history, the potential of doing nothing."

Isakson commented during an appearance on The Martha Zoller Show on WDUN and shortly after the U.S. and Britain withdrew plans to seek a new U.N. vote on Iraq.

"Our men and women are going in harm's way for peace around the world," the congressman said. "They're going because an evil dictator who would destroy innocent human life with weapons of mass destruciton has thumbed his nose at the world community."

Isakson, who has announced plans to run for the U.S. Senate seate becing vacated next year by Zell Miller, was in town for a speech to the Gainesville Rotary Club.