[Nettime-bold] a philosophical question

["Ivo Skoric" <ivo@reporters.net>]

I am confounded with the part of American human rights activist 
left, that lended its support to the Democrat Clinton for bombing of 
Yugoslavia, under the pretense of the humanitarian intervention, 
and that withholds the same support from the Republican Bush for 
bombing of Iraq, under the pretense of weapons of mass 
destruction removal.

I do not argue that either Milosevic should not have been bombed 
or that Saddam should be bombed. I am just asking why was 
Clinton given permission on merits, and Bush is not? Was Clinton's 
reason more valuable? Was Clinton more persuasive?

Because, if we look at both Yugoslavia and Iraq in strictly 
humanitarian terms, Saddam is no different from Milosevic in his 
propensity for disregard of human rights. I mean, he gassed Kurds. 
Milosevic never threw mustard gas on Kosovo, did he? Saddam's 
military, aided by American help just like Yugoslav was once, 
attacked Iran. Later it attacked Kuwait. Behavior of Iraqi soldiers in 
Kuwait was comparable to behavior of Serb soldiers in Bosnia, if 
not worse. He kills his political opponents, just as Milosevic did, 
only Saddam tortures them beforehand for his pleasure.

And, yes, of course, hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis died 
due to the first gulf war, subsequent tens years of bombing and 
crippling sanctions. As one may argue that on humanitarian 
grounds Saddam at least deserve the same fate as Milosevic, one 
may also argue that no bombing campaign can ever be dubbed 
humane. Which conclusion, then, must be applied to bombing of 
Yugoslavia, as well. It is the only honest way. 

Because, as Michael Moore, aptly noted in his recent release 
'Bowling for Columbine' - on the same day two teenagers with 
automatic weapons unleashed their anger on Columbine High 
School, NATO dropped the biggest payload of bombs in its 78 
days bombing campaign against Milosevic regime, accidentally 
hitting a high school, leaving more dead than the Columbine 
massacre did.

ivo  
---------------------------------------------------------
Ivo Skoric
19 Baxter Street
Rutland VT 05701
802.775.7257
ivo@balkansnet.org
balkansnet.org

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