Bush falls short with case for war
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD
Friday, March 7, 2003
At a huge moment in American history, the president of the United States left us wanting more. We were eager for clarity and precision -- and it was not to be.
President Bush delivered little more than what we've heard over and over; not much new in this "news" conference.
A president who on at least two other momentous occasions surprised and comforted us with his oratory has left us discomfited. If Bush sought to move either the American public or world leaders closer to agreement with his insistence that Iraq's behavior has left virtually no choice but military action, he failed.
With chief U.N. arms inspectors scheduled to report to the Security Council today, Bush declared last night that, "inspectors do not need more time or personnel. All they need is what they've never received, full cooperation from Iraq."
Bush insists, "this is the last phase of diplomacy," that it is "time for this issue to come to a head, and it will," and that we are "days away from resolving this issue at the Security Council."
But what issue has Bush left to be resolved? He has unilaterally declared Iraq in unacceptable violation of U.N. requirements that he disarm and the only issue, therefore, is how soon to apply military force and who will join the United States in its application. Bush seems willing to trash the very U.N. credibility he once sought to bolster with his braggadocio that "we really don't need anybody's permission" to act in national security.
And, at the same time, he boasts about his ability to win a Security Council vote.
We, like many Americans, remain unconvinced of the direct connection between al-Qaida and Iraq, or that Iraq presents a clear and present danger to us.
Resistance hardened in the Security Council yesterday too, with China joining France, Germany and Russia insisting on continued and expanded arms inspections in Iraq. We don't see much hope that the president's message did anything to soften it.
"It's time for people to show their cards," Bush said.
We're left wondering if he really understands the stakes.
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