No More Debate

To the Editors of The Crimson:

Yesterday, as we all know, the first allied bombs fell on Iraq and occupied Kuwait. This is a matter of deep regret for all people who cherish human life. One person is responsible for the destruction that will be unleashed in the coming weeks: Saddam Hussein. His barbarous contempt for basic human rights and the norms of international conduct have brought--and will continue to bring--sorrow to countless families in Kuwait and other allied nations.

Convinced of the possibility of a peaceful settlement, the nations of the world mounted protest of enormous moral force against dictatorial avarice. Saddam spat in the world's face. Students across the United States, in conjunction with human rights organizations, augmented the protest.

We publicized his crimes so that the world might unite and convince him to behave in a civilized manner. We prayed that justice would be restored through ethical confrontation. We fought for peace but, in the end, we failed.

Now, allied forces, including our own American troops, have become embroiled in a bitter struggle to liberate a captive people. The time to debate foreign policy has become the time to unite as a people behind our president, Congress and, most important, our brave American brothers and sisters who hope, just as we do, for a quick, dignified homecoming.

Now is the time to show resoluteness, to express resolve in achieving a peace which does not disregard international law, or compromise its moral stand against aggression, Now is the time to join in praying for the safety of our people, our allies and the innocents amongst the Kuwaiti and Iraqi peoples whose sole prayer is for peace. Stephen Gauster '92   Students for a Free Kuwait   Harry Wilson '93    Harvard Republican Club