Letter to editor, Montreal Gazette re. International Criminal Court and Iraq
Editor, Montreal Gazette
Aug 10/03
We need international rules for war, said a Gazette article caption on Aug.9. The sub-headings claimed US should join the International Criminal Court and that a clear code of war would let US military know what is legal or what is not. The distinguished author was Robert McNamara, secretary of defence under presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.
McNamara thought war however will not be eliminated. A few weeks ago an American military officer even predicted that the US will be capable of fighting a war successfully within his lifetime without a soldier leaving the US. The Bush administration has developed plans for new nuclear long-range missiles capable of destroying underground bunkers anywhere in the world. Technology is advancing very rapidly, perhaps too rapidly.
McNamara believes the human race desperately needs an agreed-upon system of jurisprudence (body of law) but neglected to mention our highest form of international law, the UN Charter. The US violates the latter and does not advocate its reform.
If war is not abolished as an obsolete dispute settlement method, our global society and civilization will be destroyed eventually. Only the timing is uncertain.
As a concerned citizen I have written our prime minister and our foreign affairs minister to consider establishment of a royal commission to operate with public input to make recommendations how war can be EFFECTIVELY abolished within ten years. I have the full support of my Ahuntsic MP, Eleni Bakopanos, assistant deputy speaker of the House of Commons.
Groups outside the peace movement additionally should support this recommendation and hopefully editors at the Gazette will consider it favorably.
Respectfully submitted,
Ross Smyth
