War is not the answer

Bush is pushing for a showdown with Saddam. The message is crystal clear -- Saddam should step down.

What is the undue haste for the United States to wage a war with Iraq? Is it to curb terrorism? Is it to disarm Iraq which is allegedly developing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)? The real motives are unfathomable.

There is yet no conclusive proof linking Iraq with terrorism. No concrete evidence, either, that the Iraqi regime is developing nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. The UN Inspectors' repeated foray into Iraq is like searching for a needle in the haystack.

In fact, every other country, these days, does have some form of WMD, at least for self-defense. The U.S. itself is home for thousands of nuclear warheads.

Perhaps, Bush would like to complete the "unfinished business" of Bush Sr., and to install a friendly regime in the oil-rich region.

If the objective of the U.S. is to install a democracy in Iraq, it is indeed laudable. But, then, the U.S. has a long history of having cozy relationships with military rulers, whenever it suited their geo-political interests.

It is disturbing to note that the U.S. would launch unilateral military action against Iraq, even without approval from the UN. Or is it just a threat, so that other members of the Security Council would fall in line? In any event, the Security Council members having veto powers usually buckle under the economic and military might of the U.S. "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours too" seems to be their approach.

The Security Council is becoming the hand-maiden of the U.S. One wonders if the UN would ultimately become an extension of the U.S. Inc.

The impending war spells doom for the ordinary Iraqis who have nothing to do with this "Saddam vs. B&B (Bush & Blair)" bout. The U.S. administration may conveniently describe the disaster as "collateral" damage.

Who can avert the imminent human tragedy in Iraq? It's Saddam Hussein himself. He would render a yeoman service to his countrymen, if he resigns gracefully, voluntarily, and quickly. As a quid pro quo, the UN should allow Saddam to go into exile and political oblivion.

After peace is established, there should be a free and fair election in Iraq, which should be conducted under the auspices of the UN. Let the sovereignty return to whom it belongs -- the people of Iraq.

Let the UN usher in "enduring freedom" and democracy in Iraq.

D. CHANDRAMOULI, Jakarta