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Written 16 APR 2003 By U Ne Oo.
http://netipr.org/~uneoo/
THE U.S. LED WAR ON IRAQ: NIGHTMARE BEGINS
(commentary in response to US led war on Iraq)
There has been a headline commentary in the Apr-2003 New Era Journal,
the view points by some Burmese democracy activists regarding United
States led invasion of Iraq and subsequent overthrow of Saddam Hussein
regime. Interestingly, of 7 activists interviewed, two of them
considered the US action as justified whilst other have shown
reservation about the way in which the war has been conducted. Following
is my contribution to this discussion.
In my view, the US led war on Iraq is unjustified. This is not simply
because the fact that war, or use of violence, is wrong. The United
States Government's underlying motive regarding the war seems to be
dis-honourable. As well, the tactic on which it deployed to remove
Saddam Hussein regime, as best described, is mediocre: particularly
reflective on the political incompetence of the US leaderships.
Firstly, the motive of US administration removing Saddam Hussein appears
not within the great American cause of promoting liberty and delivering
democracy to the rest of the wrold. If United States has anything in
such noble cause, the Burma case must come in as an example. In fact,
the American administrations have more precedence for securing seemingly
their own national or economic interests. Case in example is Panama and
General Noreiga, on which Americans impose a regime friendly to US so
as to secure America's vital economic/strategic interest.
The case of Iraq and an urgency that compelled Americans to hastly
disposed Saddam Hussein seems to be two fold. One in which it must be
taken into account is the political rivalery. The fact American
administrations, especially George Bush Jr presidency, inevitably look
at the survival of Saddam as their failure. This kind of "political
rivalery" is personal in nature, which in no doubt, will be greatly
influenced in decision makings of normally politically mediocre
president.
The other factor that driven Americans to move on Saddam is, as everyone
can guess, to secure oil resources from Iraq. Iraq has one of the world
largest oil reserve, i.e 10.7%, second only to Saudi Arabia which has
24.9%. For some years, Americans have been dependent upon the oil
fields in Saudi Arabia. As it turns out, the 19 of the plane hijackers
of September 11, 2001 are the Saudi Nationals (so too is the Terrorist
Chief Osama Bin Ladin). This indicates Saudi politics' serious
opposition to American oil monopoly. The invasion of Iraq may have been
indicative of underlying American thinking that it's about time the US
gets out of Saudi Arabia (or atleast, being prepare to not rely upon
Saudi oils).
THE INVASION AND CONSEQUENCES
Some says war is a necessary evil. Such stance could make a point when
the use of force is legitimate, and accorded within international laws.
Current invasion of Iraq by United States is not. It violates United
Nations Charter and this will induce several undesirable consequences.
- Firstly, there is likelihood of States such as China and Russia (or
India perhaps) will advance their own nationalistic interest ignoring UN
Charter. For example, we have seen Russian government has exploited
global "war on [muslim] terror" atmosphere to suppress the human rights
of the Chechens. In fact, what will, if any, be consequence if China
decide to invade Taiwan ? These are the kind of political repercussions
which we can expect at the global level.
- Secondly, terrorists at the global level will regain ground because of
the unjust war on Iraq. In this case, the normal rules of "Injustice
will be met with resistance(desirable)" and "Injustice breeds
terrorism(undesirable)" will apply.
- Thirdly, conducting a war is not the same as a political campaign in
the city square. Nor will it be considered by other powers as "drunkens'
brawl in the pub" which you can forget the next morning. In
international politics, conducting a war is ultimate and the US can
expect increase mistrust by even among normal allies. Increase of
hostility by its foes, of course, will be in many years to come.
- There is precedent in serious difficulties that will be encountered
replacing a legitimate government at the United Nations. For example,
during 80s in Cambodia, the Pol Pot regime was toppled by Hun San led
forces backed by foreign powers. This has resulted a long and agonising
debate of who is legitimate government at the UN. Unfortunately, Saddam
regime may be out or Iraq, but still carry Iraqi flag at the UN. The US
agenda on Iraq seems to be placing a puppet-democratic regime friendly
to the US. The recognition of any government at the UN, in this case,
will not be straight forward.
- Human rights have significantly suffered already by war on terrorism.
Even America, where for more than two century aspiring democracy of the
world, have sought to detain about 600 individuals without charges for
more than 15 months in offshore Cuban camps (Two Australian nationals,
David Hicks and Mumdouh Habib, are among the detained).
AUSTRALIAN INVOLVEMENT
The Australian government has been involved in unlawful invasion of
Iraq. Unlike US or Britain, the reason for Australian support to war
seems to be peculiar. The Australian Government conduct leading up to
war on Iraq can at best be described as reckless. This particular
behaviour by Australian leaders deserve thorough analysis.
AS for our friend activists in America, there is one quote and one
comment remains: JF Kennedy's famous speech of 1961:
"... remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by
riding the back of the tiger ended up inside......
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for
you--ask what you can do for your country. ......
......My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for
you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man....." (end
quote.)
As this point of time in our world history though, let alone speaking
for the freedom of mankind, as the world's concern citizens, there
doesn't seems to be any common ground to begin with to be doing
anything with the American administration.
-- Regards, U Ne Oo.
http://netipr.org/~uneoo/ (Burma HR Activity)
http://users.senet.com.au/~netipr/ (Refugee Rights Activity)
emails: uneoo@netipr.org,netipr@senet.com.au,druneoo@chariot.net.au
POST: Dr U Ne Oo, 18 Shannon Place,Adelaide SA5000,AUSTRALIA
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