What are WMD? How effective must a weapon be to earn this classification? Or is it rather an issue of weapon “type” – are chemical and biological weapons automatically WMD?

These are not foolish questions; their answers are not as obvious as they might seem. Realizing this, the leaders of our world wanted to be sure that everyone on Earth was crystal clear on these definitions. That's why they enacted The Chemical Weapons Convention.

Chemical and biological weapons are illegal under international law. They are bad – one might even say evil.

Is it surprising then to learn that the “US is preparing to use the toxic riot-control agents CS gas and pepper spray in Iraq in contravention of the Chemical Weapons Convention…”

In case that's not enough, the U.S. has also reserved the right to flout international law with impunity by employing "Calmative" gases, "similar to the one that killed 120 hostages in the Moscow theatre siege last year."

I read a story tonight about the possible U.S. and U.K. troop assignments for Gulf War II. The story stated that U.K. troops will not participate in an assault on Baghdad. At the time, I found that odd. This will be the most difficult – and very probably the bloodiest – battle of the war, why relegate all of the U.K. troops to securing the Southern no-fly zone, and perhaps Basra? It seemed a strange waste of resources to me then, but no longer.

The following analysis puts the U.K.’s scheduled absence from the Battle of Baghdad into perspective:

“Professor Julian Perry Robinson, one of the world's foremost authorities on the [chemical weapons] convention, said: "Legally speaking, Iraq would be totally justified in releasing chemical weapons over the UK if the alliance uses them in Baghdad.”

It’s apparent to me now that the U.S. is ready to legitimize the use of chemical weapons during conflict, and the U.K. wants no part of it. I applaud the U.K. for having the strength and the foresight to protect its citizens and its international standing as a rational, peace-loving nation by refusing to take part in this crime against humanity.

What was it George said the other day? “This is the first war of the 21st century.” I’m so glad that we’re getting off to a good start! This will come back to haunt us.

Labels: George W. Bush, iraq, wmd