Letter: Attacking Iraq not a wise move for United States

Friday, Aug. 23, 2002 | 9:10 a.m.

I am writing to voice my concern over the Bush administration's apparent plan to attack Iraq.

I strongly believe the United States will be making a serious error in judgment if we follow through with such an attack. My understanding of the political situation in the Middle East is that unilateral aggression against Iraq will be viewed in the region, and indeed in much of the world, as a destabilizing influence.

The aggression will be viewed, correctly, as unprovoked and unjust. As such, I believe that both the short- and long-term security of the United States (and Israel) from additional terrorist strikes will be compromised. I also firmly believe that making war on Iraq will make the task of finding peace between Israel and the Palestinians even more difficult than it is at present. This, when you consider it, is not an enviable position.

If we desire to live without the constant and immediate threat of terror in this world of ours, we need strong allies from across the globe that will consistently support our political efforts. In this case, waging war is not a political effort. Can we find anything close to the desired level of support, even from our strongest allies, if we attack Iraq? I doubt it.

I believe waging war on Iraq, if we do so, will be an unwarranted and violent intrusion into the government of another country that is unprecedented in American history. No matter how reprehensible the leader of Iraq may be, we do not at this moment in history have the moral authority to unilaterally wage war on him or his country.

I urge this government to choose not to go to war.

TERRY FISK