Statements From the Trinity Community

My Plea to President Bush: It is Imperative that You Rebuild
Our Damaged International Relationships

Ann Pauley, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

As U.S. troops joined Iraqi citizens in toppling the statue of Saddam Hussein, Vice President Cheney called the military invasion of Baghdad "breathtaking." I thought it was sobering and deeply troubling. I am concerned that the "military victory" is only further damaging the world view of the United States as a lone superpower bullying its way to diplomacy. The next few days, and the next few months, are critical in rebuilding our very damaged global relationships. We must let the United Nations take the lead in bringing peace, humanity and empowerment to the people of Iraq.

Richard Perle, the recent chair of the Defense Policy Board, said, "I hope the Germans and the Frenchmen will now ask their governments why they opposed this effort." Mr. Perle is missing the point. The reason that the leaders of Germany and France, as well as millions of us around the world, opposed the invasion of Iraq was not because there was any question about whether or not the military invasion would achieve its objectives. On the contrary; because a military invasion was expected to prevail, global leaders had an even greater responsibility to exhaust every means possible to address the situation in Iraq before taking the very drastic step of military recourse. The Bush administration did not prove that our nation - or any other nation - was at risk, nor did it allow the United Nations to continue weapons inspections, economic sanctions and diplomatic resolution. Instead, the Bush administration turned its back on the U.N., invaded Iraq, and became the aggressor. What message does this send to the citizens and leaders of countries around the globe? I believe it says that the most powerful nation in the world - with vast economic, intellectual, diplomatic and military resources at its command, chooses its military resources to impose its agenda on another country.

The military invasion is, unsurprisingly, close to achieving its objectives. But at what price? More than 130 U.S. and British soldiers have been killed. Thousands of Iraqi troops have been killed - many who had no choice but to fight for Saddam Hussein. More than 1,200 Iraqi civilians have been killed - including many children and entire families. More than 5,000 civilians are injured; many are missing. Looting and disorder is rampant in the streets of Baghdad and Basra, where the lack of water risks a health crisis. Advocates of the war will tell me that I am naive: War is hell, war is messy, people get killed, and a certain amount of chaos can be expected. I disagree. Precisely because lives are lost in war, it must be the very last course of action. And if war is the path chosen, then surely the most powerful nation in the world can take control of a city, maintain order in the streets and secure the safety of civilians at the same time.

Forrester Church, Senior Minister, Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City, recently wrote, "Even if completely victorious, however, America must and should be humbled by the cost of that victory, in both blood and the world's affection. If today's leaders cannot find such humility in their hearts, tomorrow's leaders will rise to power because of it." I hope that the Bush administration finds "humility in their hearts." President Bush must give the U.N. more than a humanitarian role in bringing peace to the people of Iraq. In Basra, the British appointed a former brigadier general in Saddam Hussein's army and a onetime member of Hussein's now-fallen Baath Party to bring order to the city; the news was greeted with riots and protests. The opportunity for failure - and perhaps creating a worse situation than what already existed - is great. All eyes are on the U.S. and Iraq. If the U.S. has any hope of restoring its credibility as a global citizen, and as a superpower that uses its might judiciously, Bush must show humility, and let the U.N. take the lead in working with the people of Iraq to create a new government and new leadership.