Yes, I think that we needed to take care of the problem once and for all, as does David Kay. The regime was too vicious, sustained a capability and intent to recharge its programs, at a minimum, once it had gotten beyond the containment regime, and had a lot of money to use in aid of potential allies, like Al- Qaida. There were already calls for lifting of sanctions, due to Saddam's abuse of the humanitarian sale of oil proceeds, and the plight of Iraqi children; Saudi Arabia was already withdrawing basing privileges; and disenchantment with the stalemate, which entailed numerous sorties and exchanges of fire over the years, threatened to undermine Congressional support. If Saddam could have gotten a clean bill from Blix, he would have gotten out from under, and promptly begun to start over. Besides, I agree with Tenet, and think that Kay is wrong in his assessment of whether there were any stockpiles.
Of course, from my standpoint, the plight of the Iraqis under Saddam's regime, and the prospect of its continuation under one or the other of his sons was enough moral reason to invade, even granting that prudent considerations had to weighed as well....... |
