Dan Abrams
A litany of violations? That Saddam has not disarmed is already a given
http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | Enough talk about the litany of technical violations of U.N. resolutions. What the American public and international community are demanding is a convincing case that war is necessary now.
There's really no question that Iraq has not disarmed. Today's report by the weapons inspectors to the U.N. makes it perfectly clear that Iraq has decided not to fully comply with inspectors, hardly a surprise. They still have not provided evidence that known weapons were destroyed. They still refuse to allow inspectors full access.
Iraq is in material breach. OK, let's assume that's a given. The majority of Americans still don't want a war if there will be serious U.S. casualties. They still want to allow inspectors more time to gather evidence. It's time for administration officials to stop telling us Iraq is running out of time and instead make a convincing case as to why time is of the essence. This issue is too important to ignore public opinion both here and abroad.
Yes, Saddam has used chemical weapons in the past. Yes, he's single-handedly responsible for the suffering of his own people, but that does not explain why inspectors need to be stopped, despite an international cry for more time. Just their presence in Iraq alone is a huge deterrent.
You know, I have gone after various peaceniks and actors who are opposed to any war with Iraq on this program.
Saddam's actions will likely, I believe, make a war
inevitable. But it's time to stop talking violations and start
explaining why now. The administration may have the
answer. Maybe it's based on weather in the area, maybe
there's intelligence that Iraq is trying to pass weapons to al
Qaeda, whatever, but the American people and the world
still need to be convinced.
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JWR contributor Dan Abrams anchors “The Abrams Report,” Monday through Friday from 6-7 p.m. ET on MSNBC TV. He also covers legal stories for “NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw,” “Today” and “Dateline NBC.” To visit his website, click here. Comment by clicking here.
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