Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Feb. 13, 2003, edition 1 / Page 11
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The Pendulum Advertisement Thursday, February 13, 2003 *Page 11 AN ATTACK ON IRAQ GOES AGAINST AMERICAN VALUES AND INTERESTS JOIN THE WORLDWIDE DAY OF PROTEST, FEBRUARY 15TH, AT NOON IN RALEIGH We, the undersigned, oppose a U.S. at^Qk on Iraq a^t violates both American values and interests This attack is a breach of international law. International law forbids one nation attacking another except in clear cases of self defense. The United States would be violating this vital law in attacking a nation that has not attacked or even threatened us. Neither oil needs nor fear of a country’s possible motives is grounds for an invasion. The Bush Administration’s fears of Iraq appear exaggerated in order to create a motive for war. If we were consistent, our reasons for attacking Iraq would lead us to attack many countries. Both Israel and Tiirkey, for example, are actively out of compliance with U.N. resolutions. North Korea is developing nuclear weapons, and we are negotiating with them. The Bush Administration is working hard to find links between Iraq and the terrorists of September 11th but have been unable to make a convincing case. A stronger case could easily be made for the involvement of Saudi Arabia with Al-Qaida. A unilateral attack undercuts American leadership and cooperative spirit. In attacking Iraq, we would be acting unilaterally, without the support of the United Nations and the world community. Although no one supports or admires Saddam Hussein, Arab governments in the region have made clear that they do not view Iraq as a current threat and consider a U.S. war on Iraq a greater risk. In November of last year, NATO reaffirmed its support for the United Nations and refused to endorse military action. U.N. Resolution 1441 does not give the Bush Administration the go-ahead to attack and makes it clear that the arms inspectors and the Security Council, respectively, are charged with determining non-compliance and its consequences. This war ignores the value Americans place on human life. Although we might like to imagine only Saddam Hussein and his supporters will be hurt, this war will be a further attack on the Iraqi people, and they have already suffered huge losses. An estimated 110,000 Iraqi died as a result of the Gulf War and the U.S. bombing of water supplies. The United Nations estimates that 500,000 have died from the U.S. driven Sanctions and that a similar number could die in an attack. Eric Hoskins of the International Study Team reports that a war could mean death for tens or even hundreds of thousands of Iraq’s 13 million children who are already at grave risk. At the start of the 20th century, 5 percent of World War I casualties were civilians, in the Korea War they were 85 percent, in recent wars that number has climbed to over 90 percent. This is a fact of modern warfare that we cannot hide from. An attack on Iraq is an attack on the people of Iraq, not just Saddam Hussein’s government and military. As we weigh the reasons given for war, we need to consider the suffering to Iraqi and American families this war will bring. Violence should be a last resort. There are non military solutions that are working and will work more effectively than war. We need to allow Hans Blix and the UN inspection team time to complete their work. UN inspections have successfully dismantled the vast majority of Iraq’s military. Former Marine and UN weapons inspector, Scott Ritter, states that Iraq represents no military threat. We can strengthen the sanctions against any military trade with Iraq and continue to contain Saddam Hussein’s government If we work with and not against the international community. We urge all members of the Elon Community who oppose this war to let your Representatives, Senators and the President know of your doubts and opposition. We urge you to join others In North Carolina In protest. Come to Raleigh on the Worldwide Day of Action. The rally and march begins at noon this Saturday, Feb. 15, at the State Capitol In Raleigh. Aqueil Ahmad Robert Anderson Andy Angyal Tom Arcaro Jim Barbour Larry Basirico Nim Batchelor Jim Bissett Lamar Bland Anne Bolin Kevin Boyle Steve Braye Jim Brown Pamela Brumbaugh Ann Cahill Anne Cassebaum Brian Digre Jim Donathan Linda Dunn John Duvall Jodi Emond Justin Estes Martin Fowler Russell Gill Ken Hassell Judy Henricks Maureen Ihrie Martin Kamela Cassie Kircher Laurin Kier Byung Lee Deborah Long Janet MacFall Richard McBride Eileen Morales Christine Nemcik George Padgett Val Padgett Jana Lynn Patterson Rebecca Peters Jim Pickens Jeff Pugh Doug Redington Melinda Rice Lela Faye Rich Bill Rich Father John Ruffo Bea Sanford Mike Sanford Martha Smith Sandy Smith-Nonini Bird Stasz Carolyn Stuart Gregg Sullivan John Sullivan George Taylor Carole Troxler Christopher Troxler Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler Debby Wall Janet Warman Jane Wellford Anthony Weston Rudy Zarzar
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Feb. 13, 2003, edition 1
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