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opinion:
our view
Hussein's influence
lingers
This year marks the
10th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait, but last week's
air strikes against Iraq show the situation is far from resolved.
As long as Saddam
Hussein remains in power in the Middle East nation, the threat
of future conflict in the region remains strong. United States
foreign policy has been to encourage the Iraqi people to rise
up and depose the dictator, but coupled with economic sanctions,
they have been unable or unwilling to overthrow their leader.
Assassinating Hussein
during the Gulf War would have been the easiest solution,
but international law prohibits the murder of another nation's
leader. The Gulf War victory was not thorough enough to force
Hussein into submission or exile, so the dictator is still
with us.
The longer economic
sanctions go on, the more Hussein can play the role of victim
against the evil empire of the U.S. and gain support among
his Arab neighbors. Hussein also bought himself some free
press by giving $10,000 to the families of every Palestinian
killed during the current conflict.
Current international
sentiment is toward ending, or at least amending, economic
sanctions against Iraq, which hurt the people more than the
leaders. The United States needs to not only end sanctions,
but also continue to work toward peace between the Israelis
and Palestinians. With the election of traditionally hawkish
Ariel Sharon as Israel's prime minister, this task is likely
to prove increasingly difficult.
This is the position
where the presence of Dick Cheney and Colin Powell on President
Bush's staff will prove fruitful. Having seasoned hands around
to guide whose military experience is limited to the Texas
National Guard may prevent another war.
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