tp173.xml

tp173.xml

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2003-03-03

WAR WITH IRAQ WOULD SPELL DISASTER FOR U.S.
The drumbeats of war are sounding in the White House. Despite opposition within the Republican ranks, Bush is determined to wage a preemptive invasion of Iraq. Striking U.S. Moreover, there is no legitimate justification for attacking Iraq.

The recently leaked Pentagon plan projects the need for 250,000 troops. Thousands of American soldiers would be killed, which is precisely what ex-President George H.W. Bush sought to avoid when he stopped short of Baghdad in 1991.

In March, the Arab League unanimously declared an attack on Iraq would be considered an attack against all Arab states. The killing of Iraqis would result in even more virulent anti-American sentiment in the Arab world. If Iraq responded by attacking Israel, a world war pitting all Arab states against Israel and its supporters might well erupt.

Moreover, an invasion of Iraq could have a devastating effect on the U.S. economy. Saudi Arabia, the worlds largest supplier of oil, could lead the OPEC countries in an oil embargo, and the price of oil could rise sharply, causing a recession.

The CIA and FBI have been unable to link Iraq to the September 11 attacks. The alleged motivation for an invasion of Iraq is to destroy its weapons of mass destruction. However, Scott Ritter, an ex-Marine and former U.N. weapons inspector in Iraq has said the Iraqis never succeeded in weaponizing their chemical and biological agents.

Nor has Iraq developed nuclear capabilities. In spite of U.N. Security Council Resolution 687, which calls for the creation of a weapons-of-mass-destruction-free zone throughout the Middle East, the United States ignores Israels stockpile of nuclear weapons. Invading Iraq would also violate international law. Under the U.N. Charter and Security Council Resolution 687, only the Council is empowered to authorize the use of force in Iraq. The U.S. should seek to achieve peace in Israel, not make war on Iraq.