Using taped conversations, satellite photos and slides, Secretary of State Colin Powell presented the case against Iraq for 75 minutes, showing how the country misled United Nations weapons inspectors and the world. A recent Washington Post/ABC News Poll showed six of 10 Americans favor a strike against Iraq even if the United Nations does not support such an action.
However, some remained unswayed in their opposition to a military strike. Pacifists and a few Democrat leaders joined France, Germany and Belgium to oppose military action against Iraq.
The reasoning behind their opposition to military action can be difficult to understand. The case against Iraq seems clear: pictures showed chemical weapons plants, taped conversations detailed their strategies for deceiving inspectors, Chief Inspector Hans Blix stated Iraq is not cooperating, thus rendering inspections ineffective and Saddam Hussein does not exactly have a history of benevolence toward his own people and the international community.
Is there any evidence that could sway these detractors?
Some pacifists never see war as an option. Regardless of the evidence presented, they always will oppose a military operation against Iraq. Pacifism is an admirable attribute, but in practice it does not work. It would only work in a world void of evil. We know this is not the case, and force is often needed to prevent rulers from oppressing the innocent.
The Democratic party has not been seen as a militaristic party in recent history. Many Democratic leaders have opposed previous military operations. They raised questions about the Gulf War, but ultimately many Congressional Democrats voted for a war resolution backing Desert Storm.
Democrats approached the current Iraq situation similarly. After questioning President Bush’s motives, Congressional Democrats overwhelmingly voted in favor of the use-of-force resolution against Iraq. Again, they asked for Bush to present more evidence against Iraq. Following Powell’s speech to the United Nations, they found it hard to oppose Bush’s efforts for a regime change in Iraq.
Senate Minority leader Tom Daschle called Powell’s presentation “powerful, methodical and a compelling case that puts the onus on Saddam Hussein now.” But he refrained to completely support Bush, saying inspections should continue just “not indefinitely.”
Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are among the Democrats who remain opposed to the war.
“The question is whether war now is the only way to rid Iraq of these deadly weapons,” Pelosi said. “I do not believe it is.”
Some Democrats find it necessary to oppose Bush at every turn. With Republicans controlling the White House and Congress, Democrats must hope for a sour economy and losing war effort to bolster their chances to retake control. If things go well for America, it’s bad for Democrats. This may show why some choose to be against the war with Iraq, after supporting Clinton’s attacks on Iraq in 1998.
Three countries generally thought of as allies, Germany, France and Belgium, have chosen to take the United States to task on Iraq. Germany and France formulated a plan which would increase the amount of inspectors and have U.N. peacekeepers occupy Iraq.
They also have blocked NATO efforts to protect Turkey in the event they are attacked from Iraq. These three countries have gone to extraordinary lengths to prevent a regime change in Iraq. Is this really for the sake of peace?
Germany’s Chancellor Gehrard Schroeder got elected on an anti-war and largely anti-American platform. With his popularity falling, Schroeder is fanning the flames of hate against America in an attempt to boost his political standing. Even the German foreign minister acknowledged Saddam’s regime is “terrible for the Iraqi people.” Yet they say Powell did not present a clear case for military action against Iraq.
French President Jacques Chirac helped build a nuclear reactor in Iraq that was destroyed in the 1980s by an Israeli air-strike. Although France has a high Muslim population, other countries with similiar populations like Turkey have annouced support. France’s opposition is likely tied to economic reasons. France has several contracts with Hussein regime that allow French companies to operate within Iraq.
It is clear the peace all these people desire is a blind peace.