THE IRISH INDEPENDENT: A last line in the sand

The Irish Independent ^ | March 1, 2003 | The Irish Independent

[MadIvan]

THOSE sitting either side, or indeed even on the fence, can agree on one thing and that is that the defining moment is approaching on Iraq. As has been the case for the past 12 years the fate of Saddam Hussein rests in his own hands. He has led the world a not so merry dance of defiance.

Consequently there has been discord: Splits between the Atlanticists, Old Europe, the unilateralists, the multilateralists, the doves, and the hawks.

Instead of concentrating on the differences it might just be useful to look at what can actually be agreed upon. The tyrant in Baghdad is a murderous dictator who has used weapons of mass destruction against his own people. He is unlikely to lose much sleep over handing them over to terrorists should the opportunity arise. That possibility has hardened since September 11.

The UN has passed 17 resolutions on Iraq since 1991. These mostly come under Chapter 11 which is only used against powers recognised as a threat to international peace. Nonetheless all have been ignored. There is a growing feeling that the US and the UK may know something that the rest of the world does not about Baghdad's arsenal of death. It would be nice to be told.

In any event, Mr Hussein holds on to power; builds 15 palaces and amasses billions more while his terrified people starve; some 11 million now dependent on food aid.

It is also unanimously accepted that sanctions have been a disaster. According to UNICEF they have been responsible for the deaths of some 5,000 children a month. Even if you accept only half that figure, 360,000 Iraqi children have died under sanctions.

Even still, were a peaceful solution possible it should be explored. War should only be a last resort, but it is just as crucial to recognise that the status quo is unsustainable.

Saddam may be a master at charades but signals of offers will not suffice. He must act.

If he again refuses to comply, and the Security Council adopts a new resolution finding him in breach, then military action under the cover of the UN should be approved.

It may not make it any more palatable but it would by then be legitimate.

[MadIvan]

It's already legitimate by Saddam violating the terms of the surrender from the Gulf War. But even so, not bad from the Irish Independent.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[ECM]

Reading this statement:

"In any event, Mr Hussein holds on to power; builds 15 palaces and amasses billions more while his terrified people starve; some 11 million now dependent on food aid."

And then this statement:

"It is also unanimously accepted that sanctions have been a disaster. According to UNICEF they have been responsible for the deaths of some 5,000 children a month."

...one gets the feeling that there's some incongruity in their argument.

Otherwise, good stuff.

[Siobhan]

Bless you, my dearie!

bump

[Happygal]

but it is just as crucial to recognise that the status quo is unsustainable.

If only the dumbass peaceniks, planning a march on Shannon tomorrow could get that into their miniscule brains.

Good editorial from the Indo. I must say, I'm impressed. :-)

[Siobhan]

An Irish bump from Siobhan

[vbmoneyspender]

What will give Iraqis a greater chance at freedom -- If Saddam turns over his WMD's under UN auspices as advocated by the French or if Hussein is attacked and killed?

[maica]

I have a hard time accepting 60,000 children dying per year, and yet Saddam brags that the population of Iraq is increasing. I think this number is more urban myth than reality.

[JulieRNR21]

Excellent......BUMP

[aculeus]

Bump!

[WOSG]

Brilliant editorial.... yet it may as well have been written last month, in November, last summer, in 1998, in 1996, etc. etc.

Sooner or later the words need to mean something.

I heard the London papers are saying some Brit diplomats predicts 12 yes vote on the US/UK resolution. If so, amazing turnabout. I dont think any of the security council members dares veto it, if they do, the US/UK will act anyway ... what I hope Bush will say:

"The UN was given the opportunity to act with resolve and unity. Instead they showed a lack of unity and therefore a lack of resolve, which has only emoblden Saddam and his deceptive, incremental steps to divide us while avoid the real task of true disarmament of all his weapons of mass destruction. The UN has been tested. But so have we. And we will not fail the test."

[Happygal]

Oh! I like that graphic! :-)

[WOSG]

The child mortality statistic is one of those "damned lies" type statistics ... they are blaming sanctions for every instance of child mortality in the whole country. that is nonsense. It's also nonsense to say that 'sanctions' is cuaseing huge hardship when you consider Iraq still manages to sell quite a bit of oil, several billion$ worth a year.
That makes Iraq a bit of a hard-up country, but if they managed things well enough, no worse off than Egypt or Pakistan.

It may be true that the poorer economy and medical care is effected by sanctions which is affecting such statistics, but then again you could and SHOULD simply blame Saddam Hussein and overall government policy in Iraq for that. ... there is that nagging problem that Saddam find loose money and he blows it all on weapons. those rockets he is blowing up? (supposedly; he would probably use this as an excuse to drag on inspections 6 months while Blix watches him do it in slo-mo, glad Blair and Bush aint biting this B-S-). Those missiles, they cost him hundreds of millions of dollars to develop. Why that's worth a million or so years of baby food right there!

A final thought: If sanctions are a bad policy (I agree), what is better ... letting Saddam off the hook? Or actually going in there, replacing his regime and setting up a better and more peaceful one? Obviously, the latter. Regime Change is the best solution for Iraq, the most humanitarian solution.

[Consort]

[dixiechick2000]

Good one!

"...Splits between the Atlanticists, Old Europe, the unilateralists, the multilateralists, the doves, and the hawks."

LOL I love how everyone is calling them "Old Europe." It seems to irritate them to death.

[prairiebreeze]

**It would be nice to be told.**

These sort of statements both amuse and annoy me. Sounds like the whines of children. Frankly I don't believe I want to know every detail of every nasty that might befall me because of these creeps. Becomes a quality of life/must I hear this issue.

I'm convinced by what has already been presented.