If the United States does not receive multilateral support, it will act alone against Iraq to maintain world security and protect human rights, President Bush said in a speech Thursday to the United Nations.
\We must stand up for our security, and for the permanent rights and hopes of mankind,"" Bush said, asking the United Nations to join the United States in that endeavor. ""By heritage and by choice, the United States of America will make that stand. Delegates to the United Nations, you have the power to make that stand as well.""
While the United Nations Security Council considers Bush's invitation, Republicans and Democrats reacted to the president's speech. Republicans are pressing for Congressional support on action against Iraq, according to party leaders.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said that neither she, nor her constituents, support attacking Iraq.
""In recent weeks my constituents have expressed strong opposition to the course the president is heading,"" Baldwin said. ""It is high time that the President recognizes the importance of the U.N. and the international community in addressing the situation in Iraq. Actions that could lead to war and global instability should not be taken lightly. It is my hope that all opportunities will be taken to resolve this issue through diplomacy and other means short of war.""
It is unknown how the UN or Congress will react to the President's proposal, said Michael Barnett UW-Madison professor of international studies.
""It is more likely Bush will get what he wants from Congress than the UN Security Council,"" he said, but added that the public may never be ready for this type of war. ""The public is used to wars that don't require a lot of loss of human lives.""
Barnett said, this is the first time in history that the Security Council has contemplated supporting a first strike attack. Traditionally the Security Council needs some real aggression before it will support attacks, he added.
According to Barnett, Saudia Arabia and Jordan have refused participation in a strike against Iraq. President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan, who also will not back a strike, cautioned the U.S. that any action could inflame the Arab world.
In his speech, Bush reasoned that the UN has been patient with Iraq but this patience has not been productive. Bush gave examples of Iraq's failure to comply with UN resolutions to allow weapons inspectors into the country. ""It's been almost four years since the last U.N. inspectors set foot in Iraq'four years for the Iraqi regime to plan and build and test behind a cloak of secrecy.""
Among several requirements for peace for Iraq, which Bush outlined in his speech, were the immediate disclosure and removal of all weapons capable of mass destruction in Iraq, the end of supporting terrorists and the release of or account for all missing Gulf-War personnel. In addition to not complying with weapons inspections, Iraq has not ended repression and still houses terrorists, Bush said.
""To assume this regime's good faith is to bet the lives of millions and the peace of the world in a reckless gamble. And this is a risk we must not take,"" he said.
