News-Info-Alerts

Re: Bush Cites Speicher in UN Speech

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: September 13, 2002

"Bush cites Speicher in case against Iraq

By Rachel Davis
Times-Union staff writer
In a speech to the United Nations yesterday, President Bush, for the first time, used the fate of Jacksonville-based pilot Scott Speicher as part of his argument for action in Iraq.

Bush noted Iraq's violation of several United Nations Security Council resolutions when it didn't return prisoners from Kuwait and other lands.

"Last year the secretary-general's high-level coordinator of this issue reported that Kuwaiti, Saudi, Indian, Syrian, Lebanese, Iranian, Egyptian, Bahraini and Omani nationals remain unaccounted for -- more than 600 people," he said. "One American pilot is among them."

Speicher's Navy FA-18, launched from the USS Saratoga, crashed in Iraqi territory the opening night of the Gulf War in 1991. His whereabouts have been the subject of much debate over the past two years as his status was changed from killed to missing in action.

A spokeswoman in U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's office said yesterday's mention of the missing pilot is a positive step forward and should be a part of the nation's strategy with Iraq.

"He thinks it is one of the most important things on the table," said Gretchen Hitchner of the Florida Democrat's office.

Members of the Jacksonville-based Free Scott Speicher group also were pleased the president made mention of their former Forrest High School classmate. The organization has been pressing Washington officials to change Speicher's status to prisoner of war.

"We are a little more optimistic that he's finally bringing this to the attention of the United Nations," said Jim Stafford, the group's spokesman. "We do support our president in the fight against terrorism, and we feel that this administration will do the right thing by Scott."

Staff writer Rachel Davis can be reached at (904) 359-4614 or racheldavisjacksonville.com.

© The Florida Times-Union "