

Democratic Sen. Edward
M. Kennedy represents
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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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