Our Nuclear Talk Gravely Imperils Us -
Notion of a First- Strike Use in Iraq Carries The Seed of World Disaster
by SenatorEdward M. Kennedy
Los Angeles Times | Commentary
Wednesday 29 January 2003

At the very minimum, a change of this magnitude should be brought to Congress for debate before the U.S. goes to war with Iraq.

A dangerous world just grew more dangerous. Reports that the administration is contemplating the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in Iraq should set off alarm bells that this could not only be the wrong war at the wrong time, but it could quickly spin out of control.

Initiating the use of nuclear weapons would make a conflict with Iraq potentially catastrophic.
President Bush had an opportunity Tuesday night to explain why he believes such a radical departure from long-standing policy is justified or necessary. At the very minimum, a change of this magnitude should be brought to Congress for debate before the U.S. goes to war with Iraq.

The reports of a preemptive nuclear strike are consistent with the extreme views outlined a year ago in President Bush's Nuclear Posture Review and with the administration's disdain for long-standing norms of international behavior.. .

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