U.S. decision to kill

One could have feared the worst after information from Washington this weekend that the CIA now has the president's permission to kill 25 named terrorist leaders -- no matter what country they are in -- if the CIA decides it is impractical to catch them instead.

Plus, there is the announcement that the United States is stockpiling land mines in countries neighboring Iraq with the right to use them in a coming war, regardless of the fact that other NATO countries have decided to ban land mines and regardless that they don't fit with the president's promises of a short-term and high technology military solution to the Saddam problem. -- Politiken, Copenhagen, Denmark

Israeli election campaign

The weekend papers provided sufficient material for the police to start an official investigation of alleged criminal activity in the election of the Likud's slate for the next Knesset. It seems the election mechanism implemented by the Likud left an opening for fishy characters and dubious methods to substantially influence the party slate. It is in the best interest of the Likud to have the police investigate the validity of these complaints as thoroughly and quickly as possible. Criminal behavior would poison the way the party functions, contaminate its ability to manage state affairs and tarnish its image.

If criminal behavior is condoned, Likud will eventually pay the price and be kicked out of power. But even if it transpires that the allegations against several candidates and ballot contractors in Likud were unfounded, the internal elections in the party have revealed a cultural phenomenon that must be addressed. Apparently, people with proven criminal records and others with dubious ones have become power brokers in Likud. Likud (and Labor) representatives who hold the highest jobs in the country are not ashamed to socialize with families that have a less-than-spotless reputation.

A public leadership that does not shun criminals or people on whom the police is keeping tabs leads to a blurring of the distinction between right and wrong. Ministers and Knesset members who fraternize with convicted felons legitimize the aspirations of the latter to lead the country. These ministers and MKs must not be surprised when these newly acquired friends of theirs stab them in the back once they have their way. -- Haaretz, Tel Aviv, Israel

Threat of war with Iraq

In the world as President Bush sees it, there are many reasons to go to war. There's retaliatory war, the sort waged in response to affront. There's the war of self-defense, the kind mounted against an oncoming attack. There's the war of just intervention, the brand intended to restore the rights of a wronged people. Then there's the new war against terrorism, a tricky quest to hunt down an elusive gang of murderers skulking in the world's dark corners.

And last week the White House articulated yet another kind of attack: the "preventive war," meant to disarm a potential foe before the first gun is pointed, let alone fired. At first hearing, this "doctrine of pre-emption" sounds sensible enough. Why should rogue states be allowed to gather up vast piles of arms? Why, especially, should they be allowed to play about with nukes, germs and other weapons of mass destruction ("WMDs" in wonk parlance)? Surely even the suspicion that such iniquity may be underway is reason to launch a strike against an unfriendly state. After all, the fate of the entire planet could be at stake. ...

There's no question that much must be done to rid the world of its arsenals, the very existence of which turn farmers into gangsters and politicians into sophists. But threatening to use nuclear weapons to advance the ends of nonproliferation is outrageous and hypocritical. It won't work. ... -- Star Tribune, Minneapolis

Carter's message in Oslo

At a time when Washington is loudly thumping the drums of war, a muted voice from the other side of the globe weighed in ... with a message of peace and hope. The inspiring words came from former President Jimmy Carter who was in Oslo, Norway, to accept this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Many Americans have fonder memories of Mr. Carter's worldwide humanitarian works after he left office than of his performance as a one-term president. His presidency is viewed in some quarters as nothing short of disastrous, and with justification.

Nevertheless, his work since in other global arenas has shown his merit. In this regard, we find a sincere, timely and accurate communication from Mr. Carter on the matter of war. In his message, he urged that we Americans use the great power we have as the world's only superpower with commensurate responsibility. We should heed that sentiment, especially as we prepare for what now seems inevitable war with Iraq.

Mr. Carter may be the most prominent American to call for restraint and diplomacy in confronting Iraq's treachery, but he isn't alone. ... Even as President Bush continues to bluster and threaten an attack on Iraq, we're encouraged that he continues to support the United Nations efforts to disarm Iraq peacefully.

Although President Bush won a strong resolution of support from Congress to go against Iraq as a last resort, the stirrings among Americans in the name of peace are signs that as a nation, we are not of one mind about the prospect of war. Americans will support a war that is just and rational or in defense of our people and interests. But even then, war is called for only when all other options have failed. -- The Miami Herald, Miami

Cardinal Law's resignation

The resignation of Boston Archbishop Cardinal Bernard Law caps a troubled year for the Catholic Church in America.

Law resigned amid reports that his archdiocese is on the verge of bankruptcy because of the liability claims filed against it by victims of sexual abuse rendered by none other than the priests whose divine charge is to protect the flock.

Law himself is accused of re-assigning offender priests to new parishes when, in fact, they probably should have been turned over to law enforcement officials.

We hope that Law's resignation sends shockwaves throughout the hierarchy of the church, which must change if it is to regain the respect of American Catholics. -- The Times Reporter, Dover-New Philadelphia, Ohio

America's response to Iraq

Barely hours had passed after the submission of Iraq's declaration on its weapons program, and Washington was already passing judgment about its contents.

The U.S. is now saying that it has finished deciphering the 12,000-page declaration and has come to the conclusion that there are serious omissions that amount to material breaches of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441.

As the Americans seem to have been able to read the Iraqi declaration swifter than the other members of the Security Council, they should, at least out of courtesy, allow the others more time to scrutinize the Iraqi file before rushing into conclusions that may embarrass the members of the council or appear too eager to outguess them.

This is the time for statesmanship and coolheaded responses to the Iraqi submission. The Bush administration would do well to avoid the impression that it has already made up its mind about going to war against Iraq.

The credibility and image of the only superpower on earth is at stake here. Appearing trigger happy against Iraq and indifferent to the plight of the Palestinian people is not the kind of image that the U.S. might want to project. -- Jordan Times, Amman

France and the war against terrorism

France has already been a battlefield of two world wars. It couldn't escape Islamic terrorism that, operating everywhere, has taken on a global dimension since the thunderbolt of Sept. 11. As in 1914 and 1939, our country is a central actor on the international stage. And therefore a target...

In the eyes of Osama bin Laden, France still carries the sin of having, like Great Britain, oppressed Muslims -- in Algeria then in the Middle East.

Our country is also a breeding ground. The presence of six million Muslims allows al-Qaeda to recruit plenty of militants, who, living in the very heart of enemy territory, are difficult to catch before they act.

Communism, which claimed to be converting the world with Marx and the Red Army just as Osama bin Laden wants to have it submit to the law of the Koran, finished by collapsing. But when facing an Islamic enemy without a flag or boarders, victory will demand even more patience and determination.

France may be finding itself engaged in a hundred years' war. -- Le Figaro, Paris