Iraq War Right Move, Weinberger Says

Newport News Daily Press ^ | November 18, 2004 | Angela Forest

[Former Military Chick]

NEWPORT NEWS -- President Reagan's defense secretary says the U.S.-led invasion met all his tests and insurgents will relent for the sake of democracy.

In 1984, as secretary of defense under President Reagan, Caspar Weinberger outlined six major tests the United States should apply before deciding to use military force abroad.

They include ensuring that the situation is vital to U.S. interests or to that of allies; knowing that the United States can win; having clearly defined military objectives and getting support from Americans and those in Congress.

The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq met all the tests, Weinberger said in an interview Wednesday at Christopher Newport University.

"I wouldn't do anything differently in Iraq. I think we're doing what we have to do," he said. "We went in and it's a much better world."

Weinberger spoke with the media before addressing about 300 people during a private gathering at CNU's Ferguson Center for the Arts sponsored by SunTrust Bank.

He was brought into the center in a wheelchair. While he appeared physically frail, at age 87 Weinberger's mind was sharp as he discussed the nation's direction in Iraq, the war on terrorism, homeland security and President Bush's nomination of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state.

Getting more international support in Iraq would be helpful, but "you can't base your (foreign) policy on whether someone is going to join you or not," Weinberger said.

Countries that didn't support the war, such as Germany, France and Russia, were more interested in trading with Saddam Hussein than removing him from power, he said.

An Army veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific, Weinberger said successful recruitment efforts are keeping the military fully staffed in hot spots worldwide.

"I think the morale is remarkably high," he said.