War in Iraq: March 2003
March 1, 2003
Congresswoman Watson made the following statement in March of 2003, on the eve of the Iraq War:
Despite the steady build-up of U.S. forces in the Gulf region and the Administration’s unwavering commitment to the use of force against Iraq, our government still has not made a credible case for going to war at this time.
As of this late date in March, perhaps weeks before a U.S.-led invasion, President Bush has answered none of the important questions: Why a war with Iraq now? Is Saddam close to acquiring nuclear weapons? What is the actual relationship between Iraq and Al-Queda? Is going to war in Iraq critical to dismantling the international terrorist network? How much will the war cost? What will be our nation’s long term commitment to a post-Saddam Iraq? What are the political and diplomatic consequences of unilateral, pre-emptive war?
The potential conflict in Iraq has all but overshadowed any discussion of Osama Bin Laden, the Al-Queda terrorist network, and our nation’s commitment to reconstructing Afghanistan. I am not convinced that Iraq, which has been significantly weakened after the Gulf War and the embargo, presents an imminent threat deserving of a massive commitment of U.S. forces, the potential loss of lives, and the expenditure of billions of U.S. dollars.
Contrary to widespread opinion, the U.N. weapons inspectors have been very successful in the past in locating and destroying Iraq’s sizeable arsenal. Progress is now being made with the renewed weapons inspections. More progress needs to made and can be made. The bottom line is that the weapons inspection process should be thoroughly exhausted before we commit our troops to hostilities.
The build-up to a potential war in Iraq has also preempted other critical world issues affecting both the war on terrorism and the troubling proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. North Korea recently renounced its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has restarted one of its nuclear reactors in order to extract plutonium to be used in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. North Korea has also embarked on an aggressive missile development program, and may have the capability to launch a missile that can reach the West Coast of the United States. It has shared its weapons and missile technology with other nations, including Iran, which is also pursuing a nuclear weapons program that is more advanced than previously thought. Some experts believe North Korea and Iran now pose a greater threat to regional and world stability than Iraq.
It is imperative that these very disturbing developments in North Korea and Iran be met with aggressive and proactive diplomatic efforts by the United States. However, the Administration’s attention to Iraq has put these pressing issues in abeyance as our nation’s foreign policy is singularly focused on making the case for war in Iraq.
Any decision to invade Iraq must be measured against the terrorist threat. I am not convinced that Iraq now poses an imminent threat. Moreover, I remain concerned that U.S. troops could become bogged down in a country fractured by war, poverty, and powerful competing interests. The war may be easy to win, but winning the peace could prove more elusive, costly, and problematic.