U.N., U.S. action against Iraq long past due
By Chris Hatcher
In response to the numerous anti-war protests that have taken place over the past few weeks, I ask opponents of the war effort against Iraq to justify inaction in light of its continued insubordination of United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs).
I also challenge them to offer alternate and legitimate courses of action to pursue. Many potential diplomatic and economic solutions have been attempted over the last 12 years to achieve Iraqi compliance with the world's desires, and every one of them has failed.
Discussions of past U.S. involvement with Iraq are minutely relevant to the present situation. We must now act wisely in doing what is best for the future. For more than a decade, the Iraqi government clearly has not demonstrated itself to be a cooperative member of the international community. The country must not be rewarded for its misconduct by removal of sanctions or international tolerance of efforts to obtain more weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
The unfortunate condition of the Iraqi nation is a result of the government's brutal assault on Kuwait and its failure to embrace consequential UNSCRs.
Iraqi children are starving because the Iraqi government refuses to submit to the demands of the rest of the world, though reasons behind mass malnourishment of Iraqi children since 1997 are questionable in light of opportunities granted under the Oil-for-Food program.
Continued enforcement of no-fly zones over Iraq are needed to protect against the Iraqi government's murderous practices and are legitimized by the U.N. If the Iraqi government is allowed to operate unhindered, it will continue efforts to dominate the Middle East and its valuable oil through the use of violence.
In only a few years, unchecked missile development in Iraq would allow the intolerable prospect of an Iraqi WMD menace to Europe. Dangerous non-state organizations interested in procuring WMD from a capable and unattended Iraqi government are also important reasons to obstruct Iraq's acquisition programs.
Additionally, we must not underestimate the negative influence Saddam Hussein could exert on every American should he realize his goals of controlling oil access in the Middle East.
World forbearance for Iraq's evil is at an end. Further tolerance of Iraq's international and internal malevolence would be an atrocity to Iraq's subjugated people, its vulnerable neighbors, and international security.
It is my hope that Iraqis will soon breathe free air and the world will benefit from their newfound freedom. I request your support for the U.N. in its efforts to disarm the despotic Iraqi regime.