Editor,
Craig Butler's column on 9/11 calling for unabated anger over the atrocities of 9/11 rests on three basic premises. Two of these premises are incorrect and one is unknowable.
The first premise is that aggressive U.S. foreign policy in the 20th century limited the spread of fascism. That is simply false. The United States backed fascist regimes in Iran, Indonesia, Guatemala, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and other nations. The United States unquestionably blocked the spread of communism, but there is a crucial difference between these forms of government. The fascist nations propped up by the United States exploit local labor and the sale of natural resources to the benefit of U.S. businessmen and the local elites. Communists nationalize economies and expel foreign investors.
The second premise assumes that all those opposed to a unilateral pre-emptive strike on Iraq are opposed to any action. The United Nations with full support of the United States is the proper mechanism to confront dangers, which affect all world citizens. The United States owes the United Nations its membership dues, opposes nearly all attempts at a world community, and demands the right to break international law when it is in our best interest. A coalition formed by the United Nations and supported by the United States can demand the return of weapons inspectors or in the case of necessary military action maintain the moral high ground, as well as avoid setting a dangerous precedent of unilateral pre-emptive first strikes.
The third premise, while not incorrect is unknown, and this is that the U.S. will be safer after a successful attack on Iraq. The destruction of the current regime has the potential of creating even more of the hatred that feeds terrorism. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict should be an example from which we learn. The setting of a pre-emptive precedent may also bring chaos to foreign affairs. Forcing Iraq's hand may result in the unleashing of what weapons of mass destruction they already have in their possession.
The U.S. is a world leader and must recognize that our actions play a tremendous role in world affairs. Let us think carefully, and not act in anger.
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Eric Whitbeck
UNM student
