| Bush did not make a conventional self- defense argument, but argued that there was a lag in the recognition of the advanced state of lethality and delivery systems which made the demand that a nation wait for an imminent attack to respond irresponsible. His argument was that there was a growing threat that was not only regional, but directed at the West, and we could not wait until an attack was imminent to respond, we must destroy the capability. The legality of it, fragile as it was, hinged on the tenor of the Security Council demands that Saddam cooperate in disarmament, and the threats of grave consequences should he not be forthcoming. The United States, which was, in the end, the country that would enforce the Security Council resolutions, took it upon itself to determine the end of the inspection regime, and the time and place of invasion. Although not specifically authorized by the UN, it was also not specifically forbidden. |
