Washington, Dec 3, 2002 - The daily rhetoric and 'war talk' by Administration is counterproductive and undermines the goals of the United Nation weapons inspectors, stated Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich today.

Kucinich, Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations, issued the following statement today:

"The Administration's rhetoric of prejudgements, skepticism, and threats could serve to undermine the UN weapons inspections. Superheated rhetoric during the process of inspection does a disservice to international rule of law because it implies that the United States will attack Iraq no matter what.

"The continued harsh words from the White House during this period could be seen as an attempt to intimidate the inspectors themselves. As a result of its continued verbal attacks, the Administration is assaulting the multilateral process which was created at its insistence.

"The world has a right to know the objective findings of the inspectors. The American people and the rest of the world would be better served if the Administration would suspend its threats, its war-like rhetoric and wait for a full report."