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Yet, to date, no weapons
of mass destruction have been found. Nor it seems, are they ever
likely to be discovered. Since this was the pretext for war, it is
not surprising America is shifting ground, arguing that the
potential to produce these weapons was justification enough for
going to war. Based on such logic, any country with advanced
military technology would be open to attack, especially those lumped
together in what Mr Bush has infamously labelled the "axis of evil".
IN yesterday's keynote
speech, US President George W Bush stoutly defended America's
decision to go to war in Iraq but then, he would, wouldn't he.
Once the controversial
state visit to Britain was mooted, it was obvious Mr Bush would seek
to justify the war on the premiss that a time comes when force can
be justified in the defence of peace and values.
But, as tens of thousands
of protesters will testify on the streets of London today, the
assault on Iraq can no longer be justified on those terms.
Politically, the first
state visit by an American president to Britain could hardly have
come at a more awkward time. Together, Mr Bush and British Prime
Minister Tony Blair, are staring into an abyss that could end their
political careers.
In any debate on the
Iraqi question, it is important to make clear that criticism of the
US's central role in the war does not imply anti-Americanism.
Moreover, it goes without
saying there can be no justification of the terrorist attack on
America on September 11, 2001.
Nor, by the same token,
is there any basis on which the tyrannical regime of Saddam Hussein
can be defended.
Yet, to date, no weapons
of mass destruction have been found. Nor it seems, are they ever
likely to be discovered. Since this was the pretext for war, it is
not surprising America is shifting ground, arguing that the
potential to produce these weapons was justification enough for
going to war.
Based on such logic, any
country with advanced military technology would be open to attack,
especially those lumped together in what Mr Bush has infamously
labelled the "axis of evil".
Not alone does Mr Bush
continue to defend the invasion of Iraq, he also vows to win
America's self-declared war on terror. In a nutshell, the Bush view
of the world is one where terrorists using weapons of mass
destruction aided by dictators represent "the greatest threat of our
age".
Inherent in this
philosophy, there is an implied right to declare war at will. As Mr
Bush sees it "the evil is in plain sight. The danger only increases
with denial".
Possessed of such
invincible certitude, the US President is unlikely to concede that
America's war on Iraq was wrong, particularly as it lacked a UN
sanction.
Looking forward, it is
hard to visualise the hawks in the White House devising policies
likely to convince Muslim society that America is acting in their
interest. Under the Bush regime, it is increasingly isolationist,
pursuing global dominance for its own economic and military ends.
Mr Bush's statement that
in the case of Iraq, "great responsibilities" had fallen once again
to the "great democracies", will be seen as a snub to democratic
nations of the UN which advised against war. It reflects an attitude
calculated to undermine his call for a global response to threats.
As the death toll
continues to mount, despite gung-ho declarations that the war had
been won, the US and Britain are in danger of losing the peace.
Despite increasing
losses, Mr Bush is set against a military withdrawal. Against this
backdrop, America's heavy reliance on military force will make it
more difficult to sow the fragile seeds of democracy in Iraq.
Irish Examiner 20/11/2003
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