Time to prove we have a real foreign policy

IT IS high time that the Government made its position clear on the impending conflict in Iraq.

Both the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs have refused to rule out co-operation with the US in the absence of a UN mandate.

The apparent determination of the US and the UK to prosecute a massive conflict with potentially serious loss of life calls for a loud and clear statement from all countries concerned with humanity and the rule of international law.

Saddam Hussein is clearly one of the worst dictators in the world as can be seen from his use of chemical weapons in Halabjah in 1988.

Those concerned with human rights and international law have long drawn attention to his regime.

However, we must examine whether, for the people of Iraq and that region of our world, the cure prescribed by those engaged in the military build-up will be worse than the disease.

Furthermore there is an existing policy which has been well articulated in the past by the UK government, namely containment, which has maintained Saddam in a weakened position since 1991.

What has changed in the last 12 years that war is suddenly so necessary?

The arms inspectors are carrying out an important task and will undoubtedly require more time to complete their work.

A robust and effective policy on Iraq will maintain pressure on the regime through more humane and better targeted sanctions coupled with support for a democratic opposition.

Unilateral regime change through military means is an unacceptable policy response and any country advocating it departs from international law and any pretext of being interested in workable solutions to the world’s problems.

The whole system of collective security is at risk in this conflict.

Now is a time for the Government to demonstrate there is some real substance to our foreign policy.

If a war in Iraq is wrong, then any co-operation with it on our part is similarly wrong.

This action bears none of the humanitarian and defensive justifications which could be argued, for example, in the Balkans.

It is contrary to every stated principle of Irish foreign policy.

Michael McLoughlin,

1, Riverwood Heath,

Castleknock,

Dublin 15.