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Should the U.S. Wage War on Iraq?
by Brian Risman, Publisher, www thelawjournal co uk - 19 August 2002
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The sixth question is -- given the above, should the United Kingdom take part in any military conflict?
The issue -- and the answer -- comes down to public support. Without that support, no action can be taken. With support, there is a great depth of stamina and determination to follow through in order to achieve the goal.
However, opposition is mounting to any military action against Iraq. That opposition is being fueled by the lack of a compelling reason, of compelling evidence, that would justify the loss of lives of young people of all the countries involved.
Without that evidence and a concerted effort to explain the situation to the people of the United Kingdom and the world, support for action is hard to justify. That is not to say action is not justified -- it most likely is needed -- but without treating the people of the world, and their governments, as valued and equal partners, support will not be forthcoming.
Therefore, the United States needs to provide the evidence to the world, to those who would fight against Saddam Hussein -- and even to those who remain on the sidelines. Without that evidence, ulterior motives will be attributed to the American action. Without that evidence, there can be no world support or participation, which as noted is essential to the war's success.
The United States should also explore other, less lethal approaches to getting rid of Saddam Hussein. We have suggested utilising those countries with strong influence in Iraq. The United States will in any case need to work with these countries in determining the appropriate end goal -- so they should be -- and need to be -- incorporated into the means of achieving the goal.
Speaking of goals, the end-goal needs to be fully considered. Without this essential step, there is no possibility of a successful conclusion to this episode. There may be military success, but no subsequent peace.
We lived most of the last century with that mistake.
We should not live it again.
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