Editor:
Because of the dangerous precedent a doctrine of unilateral preemption may set, serious restrictions to such a doctrine should be in place in the interest of peaceful worldwide coexistence. Any such doctrine should then reflect what we are comfortable with, should each member of the worldwide community adopt it. Thoughtful members of our national community have suggested that one reasonable rule to preemptive strike is to limit a strike to only those peoples, groups, or governments who pose a clear and present danger to the people of the United States of America. That suggestion has led to some debate over what constitutes a clear and present danger. Without pretense of comprehensiveness, I propose the following questions to aid in deciding what constitutes a clear and present danger:
Would you? Do you harbor animosity toward me? Are we enemies? Have you shown a willingness to use violence? Have you used violence against other enemies? Does my strength deter you?Could you? Are the instruments of your violence a veritable threat to me? Are you able to reach me with the instruments of violence that would threaten my safety?Dangerous? Are you planning to injure me? Do you gain advantage over me by striking first? Do I prevent injury to myself by striking first?
Because answers to some of these questions cannot be clearly given, we should be guided by considering the consequences if our reasoning were to be used by others who are considering preemptive strikes against us. In this way, by the same judgement we judge, we will be judged. Unless we are clearly in danger, I urge erring on the side of non-action.
Further, in the case of the United States and Iraq, the United States need not prove such a stringent case in asking its neighbors to help it in the face of uncertainty. Only, if Saddam Hussein’s regime is a threat to the worldwide community in general, the United States may expect the help of the members of the general community in removing the dangerous regime from the worldwide community. Otherwise, the body that represents the worldwide community cannot be considered one that acts in the interest of the worldwide community. Saddam Hussein poses a threat to the citizens of Iraq, to nations in the region of Iraq, and to any he is able to reach with his weapons of mass destruction. Wise up France! Wise up Germany! Wise up Russia! You know we do not wish to act alone. You know we should, all of us, act together!
If through inaction you tie our hands, and again allow the filthy hand of evil to strike, then the people of the United States cannot call you, after all, our friends.
Paul EmettSeniorChemical [email protected]