Bombs over Baghdad?Saddam Hussein deserves punishment for war crimes but not with the blood of Iraqis(10-02-2002)by Matt Kapko |
| I have no love for Saddam Hussein; he is a war criminal
and should be punished as such. While I do wish the people of Iraq their right to peace and justice — free from government repression — bombing the very victims of Hussein is not the answer. The U.S. government is doing all that it can to avoid a diplomatic solution with Iraq. All of a sudden, we hear there is evidence that Iraq supported al-Qaida and specifically trained them in weapons of mass destruction. The very notion of “weapons of mass destruction” seems a bit oxymoronic to me seeing how “humane” weapons can just as easily massacre countless human beings. Does anyone else remember the initial reports from our cowardice major media telling us that Iraq was implicated in the attacks? It was a lie, even admitted as such by those who made the claims. Are they banking on the fact that Americans forgot the lies perpetuated about Iraq’s involvement in the attacks, only to have it resurfaced more than a year later as evidence for dropping bombs on Baghdad? While the United Nations makes great efforts to get weapons inspectors back into Iraq — unconditionally accepted by Iraq — Bush and most high-ranking officials in his cabinet have made a mockery of their previous calls for weapons inspections, now saying they will not suffice and regime change is necessary. This administration has politically assassinated the UN. Bush threatens; If the UN is not determined to lead the way in the proper course of action with Iraq, it is the duty and responsibility of the United States to undertake this calling because with UN approval, or not, “we are for peace.” If we are for peace why doesn’t Bush insist for peace in Palestine and support UN resolutions calling for Israel’s withdrawal and ending the building of settlements there? Peace is not an idea that should only be applied to those people who serve American interests. It is the right of all people. The United States presses for war in Iraq, while it does nothing to end the oppression and policy of apartheid imposed on the Palestinians by the Israeli government. It presses for justice to be brought to war criminals such as Saddam Hussein, but ignores Ariel Sharon’s brutal use of force against the Palestinians and his involvement in atrocities. While the International Criminal Court is expected to begin operations in The Hague next year — trying individuals for genocide, atrocities, war crimes and systematic human rights abuses — the United States has demanded that Americans be exempt from the court’s reach — something which the Europeans have very little leverage on. Why should the United States be opposed to bringing war criminals and human rights abusers to justice in an international court of justice? The government is asking that Americans sent abroad be granted the court’s immunity, as well. This could serve as carte blanche for American soldiers guilty of committing atrocities. I fear the United States is backing itself into a corner and laying the path for a new Cold War. This significant change in U.S. foreign policy is reminiscent of the Cold War policies. Why isolation seems to be the method of choice for the current administration is beyond me, but I do hope that the goals of the rest of the world are realized. The global movement for peace, justice, and freedom are on the side of all people and only perseverance and widespread support will force its coming into being. |
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