The Single Question

In light of my review of the defense of the Bush doctrine and also the horrifying images of war shown in my previous post, let's recall the actual reasons for this war as articulated by its proponents.

Here's Colin Powell:

". . . Let me put the question to you directly and clearly in the simplest terms that I can. The question simply is: has Saddam Hussein made a strategic, political decision to comply with the United Nations Security Council resolutions? Has he made a strategic, political decision to get rid of his weapons of mass destruction? That's it in a nutshell.

The question is not how much more time should be allowed for inspections. The question is not how many more inspectors should be sent in. The question simply is: has Saddam Hussein made a strategic decision, a political decision, that he will give up these horrible weapons of mass destruction and stop what he's been doing for all these many years?

That's the question. There is no other question."

Here's the New York Times quoting White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer.

"We have high confidence that they have weapons of mass destruction,'' said the White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer. ''This is what this war was about and is about. And we have high confidence it will be found.''

Here's what Bush had to say about it.

"In New York tomorrow, the United Nations Security Council will receive an update from the chief weapons inspector. The world needs him to answer a single question: Has the Iraqi regime fully and unconditionally disarmed as required by Resolution 1441 or has it not?"

"We are determined to confront threats wherever they arise. I will not leave the American people at the mercy of the Iraqi dictator and his weapons."

It's not just the position of the US, but also Britain. Here's Jack Straw:

"The position of the British government is very straightforward. Yes, of course, in a different world we would like to see a different government running Iraq but so far as 1441 is concerned, the purpose of 1441 is to secure the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

That, and that alone, we have made it clear, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair has made clear repeatedly, that if Iraq complies with 1441 and disarms of its weapons of mass destruction, we accept that the government of Iraq stays in place and let us make that clear and that has always been clear. Saddam Hussein has known that."

Remember these words when we're told that it's all about democracy promotion.