Viewpoint
In Iraq to witness against war
By DAVE ROBINSON
Since Dec. 8, I have been traveling
in Iraq with a delegation of Catholic clergy, sisters and laypeople. We came in
the season of Advent, when Christians of all denominations prepare for the
coming of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. We are in Iraq to give witness to our
conviction and the conviction of millions of religious people of all faiths
around the world that war against Iraq would constitute a moral, social and
political disaster. We are here to meet face to face with the people who will
suffer most in any war waged against the current Iraqi regime -- the poor, the
mothers and children, the sick and the hungry, and all those who have already
borne the brunt of 12 years of deadly economic sanctions.
President Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and others in
the administration say Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction and must be
disarmed before it uses them against the United States. Yet the arguments for
Iraq posing an immediate threat are unsubstantiated; the CIA has argued that
Iraq is unlikely to use such weapons unless pushed into a corner. The White
House seems intent on pushing Iraq into that corner.
If the administration’s true intent is to protect Americans
from the threat of Iraq’s weapons, the most effective means, perhaps the
only sure means, is through patient, comprehensive inspections by competent and
independent U.N. inspectors. In that way, we can be sure where such weapons
might be and neutralize them under controlled conditions. A war to disarm Iraq
will only ensure that any weapons of mass destruction that might exist will
quickly find their way out of Iraq and into the hands of the highest bidder --
most likely the terrorists who have proven their intent and ability to attack
us.
In another time, not too long ago, a credible (though ultimately
proven to be concocted) threat in the Gulf of Tonkin raised the ire of U.S.
leaders and paved the way for a devastating war. This time, before policymakers
naively rush into a war on Iraq, the hard questions must be addressed. What is
the administration’s response to the fact that such a war will likely
result in the dispersal of the weapons we seek to eliminate? What is the
administration’s plan for bringing lasting peace to Iraq and the region?
How will the administration deal with the real prediction of a dramatic and
deadly increase in the number of those who would turn to terrorism in response
to a U.S. war on Iraq?
This war is perceived in the region and around the world as an
attempt to take control of Iraq’s huge oil reserves. Unfortunately, there
is indeed weight to this argument. Is this administration really prepared to
sacrifice our future security in order to secure a temporary boost to our
oil-based economy and our “freedom” to drive fad vehicles like
SUVs?
These questions must be raised by all conscientious citizens and
addressed adequately by any administration that would lead us down the dark,
destructive path of war.
Our world today is scarred by fear: fear of war, terrorism,
weapons of mass destruction. We must deal with terrorism and the threat of
terrorism, but we in the United States cannot allow fear to rule our hearts.
We are here in Iraq as a gesture of peace in the hope of staying
the hands of those who would make war. We are here, not as an act of
anti-Americanism, but quite the contrary. We are in Iraq to witness to the fact
that the time-honored American values of honesty, generosity and a willingness
to take risks in pursuit of our convictions and ideals are still relevant and
are the basis of any real American leadership in the world. We are in Iraq
because we believe that there is a path through fear -- the path of human
relationship. We are here in Iraq offering a living witness to the words and
example of Jesus who teaches us to believe that God’s power experienced in
human communion can overcome division, and that nonviolent resistance can
overcome systems of injustice.
We are in Iraq to seek peace.
Dave Robinson is national coordinator of Pax Christi
USA.
National Catholic Reporter, January 10,
2003
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