|
03/20/03
48
hours have passed and the war has begun.
Undoubtedly,
just like many other people around the world, many
Indonesians including politician elites, religious
leaders and top government officials are against the
use of force by the Coalition of the willing, led by
the US, in resolving the crisis in Iraq. Certainly
there is nothing wrong with it. And just like many
other people who support the war, people should
respect other people’s opinion and stance on this
crisis.
Some
people view that the use of force should never be an
option and opine that the inspection regime was
showing positive results.
Therefore, if the inspection regime were given
more time, it would be able to disarm Iraq peacefully.
They also said that although the past behavior of Iraqi
regime was very bad and although Iraq might have WMD
such as chemical and biological weapons, Baghdad has
not attacked any countries or used WMD during the last
12 years. The punch line of the argument is:
Containment is working and it must be the only option.
Some
other people perceive that the Iraqi regime poses an
imminent threat to the international peace and
security and are willing to justify the use of force
in changing the regime in Iraq. Among their reasons
are the violations of 17 United Nations Security
Council (UNSC) resolutions during the last 12 years,
the possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
and the historical behavior of Iraqi regime which had
attacked two sovereign countries without warning and
legitimate cause. They view that the inspection regime would never be able to
disarm Iraq because the lack cooperation of the Iraqi
regime to disarm as demanded by the UNSC resolutions
687 in 1991 and 1441 in 2002. In addition, they argue
that the Iraqi people have long been suffered under
the current regime and the international community
must take action. The bottom line: The Iraq’s
disarmament is impossible and the Iraqi people will
continue to be oppressed unless there is a regime
change in Iraq.
The
debate could continue forever but unfortunately no one
can live forever. At some point in time, there has to
be an end to any crisis. And in the current crisis in
Iraq, although peace is infinitely preferred to war,
sadly war is the only option left on the table.
Mainly, it is because of the failure of Baghdad and
the international community, including the UNSC, to
come to a peaceful solution. Thanks to a little
assurance from philosopher Baruch Spinoza who said
more than three centuries ago that war is sometimes
needed to achieve peace. It is our hope that there is
peace waiting behind this war.
So,
as peaceful and kind people, how Indonesians should
react to the war in Iraq? More importantly, how
Indonesian leaders, especially politician elites,
legislative members and group leaders – all who can
influence Indonesians’ perception about and reaction
to the war- should react?
It
is difficult not to attach some personal emotion to
any war. But, in the difficult time, it is
rationality, not emotion that often leads us into a
better life. Indonesian
leaders, politicians and group leaders should react
rationally, not emotionally to this war.
While
we are free to reject the US-led war in Iraq, it is
our responsibility to show respect to anyone.
Disagreement should never justify irrational conducts
including the ones that would worsen our already
suffered nation. While we are free to sign petition
and raise our voice to reject the war, it is our
responsibility not to create any damaging actions that
could worsen our domestic situation in Indonesia.
Clearly,
the war in Iraq is not a war on religion. It is easy
to imagine that there would be no war if we were able
to return the clock back to the early of 1990. In
August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and then the UNSC
adopted resolution 687 and 1441 on Iraqi disarmament.
As
a part of global community, the first step toward
building a peaceful world is to be a peaceful
individual and to be a peaceful nation. Facts show
that we still have to work hard to realize it.
Your
comment
Back
to top
|
The Prospect
is published by The Indonesian Institute. Our messages are
study, democracy and unity.
