Charger News

Possible war with Iraq an unpopular choice

Rachel M. Robinson, Charger Staff

The votes are in, the polls are closed, and the American people know exactly what they want. And it’s not war.

According to The Harris Poll (#7, February 1, 2003) 51 % of Americans think that the President’s top priority should be strengthening the economy.
Fighting the war on terrorism and on Al Qaeda and eliminating Iraq’s weapons of destruction fall in close behind with 21% and 16% of the vote. Eliminating Korea’s nuclear weapons program received 4% of votes, while 7% of Americans “don’t know”.

On February 12, 2003, President Bush briefed senior lawmakers on the impending war with Iraq. He offered these words: “Because of the resolve of the United States, the world will be more peaceful and the world will be more free.”

Due to the United States’ resolve, France, Germany, and Russia agree that instead of sounding the war drum, the number of nuclear inspectors in Iraq should be tripled, and surveillance aircraft should be added.

Colin Powell told Congress that “more inspectors aren’t the issue. The issue is lack of Iraqi compliance.”

However, the Iraqis have become very adept at knowing when the inspections will take place using inside sources as well as US satellites.

These satellites take pictures of certain Iraqi buildings to monitor activity. Before the day of the inspection, activities at the buildings are high and many heavy duty vehicles are seen in the parking lot. When the day of the inspection arrives, the building has been practically deserted. Few vehicles are in the parking lot and activity is low. After these satellites have passed, activity returns to normal.

Saddam is reported to have been developing weapons of mass destruction which violate a UN Resolution.

These nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons could be provided to terrorists. The United States would be put in danger if these weapons were provided to Al Qaeda because they could use them against us, hence our involvement with Iraq.

U.S. intelligence about the weapons is circumstantial since UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in 1998 over an argument about accessing certain suspected weapon sites.

Most officials believe that many weapons are not only being transported from warehouse to warehouse, but are also hidden in mosques and schools.
Pope John Paul II sent French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray to Baghdad on February 11, 2003. The Pope wants to avoid war and encourage Iraq to comply with UN inspectors.

At a Mass for peace in Baghdad’s Cladean Catholic Cathedral, Etchegaray asked, “Who today, everywhere in the world, isn’t talking and thinking about the grave threats that weigh on Iraq?”

While Americans’ eyes are on Iraq, our minds are on the men and women in our armed forces.