Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, seems to base his policy in the present crisis on: 1) the need to avoid killing innocent Iraqis; 2) the need to uphold the authority of the United Nations; and 3) the need to avoid association with the crudities of the present American administration.
People assert that 100,000 or more Iraqis will be killed by the Anglo-American military action. Probably ten times that number have been killed by Saddam Hussein, often in the most atrocious circumstances, such as the torture of children. Until Saddam is got rid of, such crimes and the prevalence of disease and malnutrition among the Iraqis, to which Mr Kennedy referred in his speech at Torquay on 16 March, will continue.
It is impossible to believe that the authority of the United Nations will be strengthened by allowing a dictator to defy 17 supposedly mandatory resolutions of the Security Council.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in