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Politics : DON'T START THE WAR -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Thomas M. who wrote (21209)	3/15/2003 3:23:05 PM
From: Doug R	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 25898

Principles of a just war condemn US campaign March 16 2003 America is violating its own ideals, writes former US president Jimmy Carter. For a war to be just, it must meet several clearly defined criteria: The war can be waged only as a last resort, with all non-violent options exhausted. In the case of Iraq, it is obvious that clear alternatives to war exist. These options, previously proposed by our own leaders and approved by the United Nations, were outlined again by the Security Council on Friday. But now, with our own national security not directly threatened and despite the overwhelming opposition of most people and governments in the world, the United States seems determined to carry out military and diplomatic action that is almost unprecedented in the history of civilised nations. The first stage of our widely publicised war plan is to launch 3000 bombs and missiles on a relatively defenceless Iraqi population within the first few hours of an invasion, with the purpose of so damaging and demoralising the people that they will change their obnoxious leader, who will most likely be hidden and safe during the bombardment. The war's weapons must discriminate between combatants and noncombatants. Extensive aerial bombardment, even with precise accuracy, inevitably results in "collateral damage". General Tommy Franks, commander of American forces in the Persian Gulf, has expressed concern about many of the military targets being near hospitals, schools, mosques and private homes. Its violence must be proportional to the injury we have suffered. Despite Saddam Hussein's other serious crimes, American efforts to tie Iraq to the September 11 terrorist attacks have been unconvincing. The attackers must have legitimate authority sanctioned by the society they profess to represent. The unanimous vote of approval in the Security Council to eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction can still be honoured, but our announced goals are now to achieve regime change and to establish a Pax Americana in the region, perhaps occupying the ethnically divided country for as long as a decade. For these objectives, we do not have international authority. Other members of the Security Council have so far resisted the enormous economic and political influence that is being exerted from Washington, and we are faced with the possibility of either a failure to get the necessary votes or else a veto from Russia, France and China. Although Turkey may still be enticed into helping us by enormous financial rewards and partial future control of the Kurds and oil in north Iraq, its democratic parliament has at least added its voice to the worldwide expressions of concern. The peace it establishes must be a clear improvement over what exists. Although there are visions of peace and democracy in Iraq, it is quite possible that the aftermath of a military invasion will destabilise the region and prompt terrorists to further jeopardise our security at home. Also, by defying overwhelming world opposition, the United States will undermine the United Nations as a viable institution for world peace. What about America's world standing if we don't go to war after such a great deployment of military forces in the region? The heartfelt sympathy and friendship offered to America after the September 11 attacks, even from formerly antagonistic regimes, has been largely dissipated; increasingly unilateral and domineering policies have brought international trust in our country to its lowest level in memory. American stature will surely decline further if we launch a war in clear defiance of the United Nations. But to use the presence and threat of our military power to force Iraq's compliance with all United Nations resolutions, with war as a final option, will enhance our status as a champion of peace and justice. - New York Times Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, is chairman of the Carter Centre in Atlanta and winner of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize