American arrogance

Power and arbitrariness are often identical. The examples are many, the latest being the American attack on southern Iraq. Warships and fighter aircraft were sent in to put pressure on Iraq. Sophisticated guided missiles were fired, killing civilians, demolishing buildings and causing great suffering.

The impression that here is America once again displaying its arrogance is difficult to avoid. Another impression is that America is demonstrating its intention to continue playing a role in the Persian Gulf area by displaying the might of its war machinery. But if it wants to be a global cop, America should have acted with greater accuracy and chosen its targets more selectively.

The world is aware of the efforts America has been making to undermine Saddam Hussein's power by covertly supporting the Iraqi president's enemies. It could well be that the American attacks on southern Iraq illustrate Bill Clinton's mounting frustration over his inability to destabilize Saddam's power. Inside Iraq, the support which Saddam Hussein enjoys is growing in strength and Iraq will continue to be the specter that restricts America's freedom of movement in the Gulf area.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta