Hoon: More pre-emptive strikes to be expected

AP WorldStream ^ | 4-8-03

[Oldeconomybuyer]

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Apr 08, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Pre-emptive military strikes against countries that sponsor terrorism or harbor weapons of mass destruction are likely to become more common, British Defense Secretary Geoffrey Hoon said Tuesday.

U.S. President George W. Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive military action against perceived security threats has divided Europe. Germany and France oppose the doctrine, saying it could result in further destabilization worldwide. Britain, Italy and Spain, however, have supported the policy against Iraq.

In a speech to the Danish Institute for International Studies in Copenhagen, Hoon singled out terrorism and weapons of mass destruction as the gravest threats to countries worldwide.

"Other countries which do not yet have these weapons harbor aspirations to acquire them," he said, without being specific.

In the next three decades, he said new regimes would likely possess those weapons and urged the international community to act now "to enhance and enforce legal and political constraints on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."

The military must also be "systematic, innovative and rigorous in identifying emerging security challenges," he said.

Hoon didn't say which country ought to spearhead future strikes, but implied that the United States and Britain could.

But he was quick to say that such strikes would have be to discussed by the U.N. Security Council and NATO, organizations he called "key" players.

"We have to scan the horizon, identifying tensions before they become threats and then, when necessary, act decisively to prevent threats turning into conflicts," he said.

"This will involve the many instruments at the disposal of governments, and not always the use of the armed forces themselves," he added.

"We shall wish to do so with our allies and multilaterally through the alliances and partnerships which are the bedrock of our security and prosperity."

Hoon spoke to some 60 people at the small conference, mostly academics and foreign policy experts.

Associated Press Writer

[Grampa Dave]

Attention Assad Junior and Yo Kim Chia Head. Open up your borders and disarm yourself or join Saddam and OBL!

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[bmwcyle]

We will be where they hide.

[ken5050]

start with the UN

[drypowder]

In terms of economics, pre-emptive strikes against those who will kill us anyway is $ well spent. With respect to destabilization worldwide , the US is still trying to recover economically from 9/11/01, thus terrrorist attacks are meant to inflict major economic harm. Regardless, proactive or reactive, US military action against terrorism will effect us all, but it's a no brainer that it's much better to take the war to them before they bring it to us.

[joesnuffy]

Russia has exported terrorism and WMDs & precursors routinely to terroris nations..not to mention exporting the KGB/Russian Mafia that operates openly on US soil..
France is the Islamo-facist resort/safe haven of choice in so called western Europe
Germany....self explanatory -heil mullah
Is it any wonder they are opposed

[LSUfan]

We must never allow the Ayatollahs in Tehran to finish that nuclear reactor either. Even if it means sending the 4th MID east next week. If we don't do something about the Iranian nuke program, Israel will and then we will really have WW4 on our hands and not at the time and place of our choosing.

NO WAY WE CAN LET IRAN GET NUKES. THEY ARE NEXT, NOT NORTH KOREA.

[Stavka2]

Lets not forget the Saudies who support Chechins, Abu Nisayef, and Al Quida. Lets not forget Pakistan who supported Al Quida, Taliban and the host of Islamics killing Indians and Christians. Lets not forget the KLA and the IRA....now from whom do all these guys get their support?

[Stavka2]

Try worrying about the Pakistanies who already have nukes and missiles and are empowered by the US.