April 15, 1998
2015 HRS EST
White House Briefing Room

	"Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States."
	
	"Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to be brief right now due to the nature of the situation we are facing. 
	"As you know, the United States has adopted a  zero tolerance' policy towards weapons of mass destruction. These include chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, most of them originally developed during the cold war. I believe it is the responsibility of the United States, as a leader of the global community, to take the lead in the dismantling and neutralization of these relics as we move into the 21st century. As a nation, we cannot allow irresponsible parties to gain access to these weapons. I believe this policy is a strong step towards curbing the threat of international terrorism.
	"In the past 72 hours, the nation of Iraq has repeatedly refused to allow United Nations inspectors access to three large processing facilities near the city of Basra, in southern Iraq. Overwhelming evidence, including Iraq's refusal to allow inspectors into these facilities, leads us to believe that these plants are being used to produce chemical weapons. We cannot allow this to continue.
	"The United States has made the first move to send a strong, clear message to the Iraqi government. A task force of Army Special Forces troops are now embarking into Iraq. Under their escort, the United Nations will once again ask permission to inspect these sites. If this request is refused, we will be forced to capture these facilities and open them to the inspection of the UN. Upon subsequent inspection, the UN Special Commission on Unconventional Weapons will decide if these plants should be demolished.
	"I ask that each American rally their support and prayers for our troops tonight. It is my absolute hope that this situation may be resolved without bloodshed. I implore the Iraqi government to allow common sense to prevail so that our nations may continue on peacefully.
	"Thank you all for your attention."

April 15, 1998
0412 HRS GMT
15 mi SW of Basra, Iraq

	Ten minutes ago, thousands of miles across the globe, the President announced the intention of the United States to enforce the new UN ban on chemical weapons by force. You are the commander of the 6th Special Forces Battalion. The unit, comprised entirely of US Army Rangers, has been in the region for three weeks training for this assault. As the President began his speech, the 15 helicopters comprising your assault group lifted off from Bandas-Al-Quadar AFB in Saudi Arabia  and began the approach to the target area. En route, a final request was made by UN inspectors to enter the facility. They were denied. Your men are moving in. 
	Your mission is to neutralize Iraqi forces located in and around all three sites and capture each plant so that the UN teams may safely inspect them. Expect to meet with Iraqi Special Forces troops picked from the Republican Guards divisions, plus some light tanks and guns. Several bunkers located around the facility may provide some problems as well. It is dawn, so visiblity is limited, but this should help cover your approach. Good luck.