Justifiable War?

Nickatilynx · 05-31-2005

Sorry , allow me to return to topic.

Some facts.... (I know how MikeAI hates them )

UK Attorney General , Lord Goldsmith ,Advises Blair of the possible illegality of invading Iraq.

"""36. Finally, I must stress that the lawfulness of military action depends not only on the existence of a legal basis, but also on the question of proportionality. Any force used pursuant to the authorisation in resolution 678 (whether or not there is a second resolution):

must have as its objective the enforcement the terms of the cease-fire contained in resolution 687 (1990) and subsequent relevant resolutions;
be limited to what is necessary to achieve that objective; and
must be a proportionate response to that objective, ie securing compliance with Iraq's disarmament obligations.
That is not to say that action may not be taken to remove Saddam Hussein from power if it can be demonstrated that such action is a necessary and proportionate measure to secure the disarmament of Iraq. But regime change cannot be the objective of military action. This should be borne in mind in considering the list of military targets and in making public statements about any campaign.

(signed) ATTORNEY GENERAL 7 March 2003 """"

In hindsight the US/UK conducted the invasion in a manner in which in the opinion of the British Attorney General was illegal.

05-31-2005	#11
Nickatilynx Banned Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 15,115	Sorry , allow me to return to topic. Some facts.... (I know how MikeAI hates them ) UK Attorney General , Lord Goldsmith ,Advises Blair of the possible illegality of invading Iraq. """36. Finally, I must stress that the lawfulness of military action depends not only on the existence of a legal basis, but also on the question of proportionality. Any force used pursuant to the authorisation in resolution 678 (whether or not there is a second resolution): must have as its objective the enforcement the terms of the cease-fire contained in resolution 687 (1990) and subsequent relevant resolutions; be limited to what is necessary to achieve that objective; and must be a proportionate response to that objective, ie securing compliance with Iraq's disarmament obligations. That is not to say that action may not be taken to remove Saddam Hussein from power if it can be demonstrated that such action is a necessary and proportionate measure to secure the disarmament of Iraq. But regime change cannot be the objective of military action. This should be borne in mind in considering the list of military targets and in making public statements about any campaign. (signed) ATTORNEY GENERAL 7 March 2003 """" In hindsight the US/UK conducted the invasion in a manner in which in the opinion of the British Attorney General was illegal.