American Hawks Celebrate Victory

The recently passed U.S. Congressional resolution no way links the Bush Administration and its war against Iraq to any UN Security Council decisions.

About 1p.m. (Washington Time) the U.S. Congress passed a resolution allowing President George Bush to begin military actions against Iraq. The resolution was approved by an overwhelming majority (77-23). The military operation was also approved by the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress. So ,now the President can use the military as he deems necessary for national security.

Once a decision about attacking Iraq is made, Bush must inform the U.S. Congress within 48 hours. According to RIA ‘Novosti’, the U.S. Congress has given the President a right to make decisions and give orders at any time concerning the launching of military actions against Iraq whenever he finds it necessary. At the same time, the resolution in no way links the Bush Administration with any UN Security Council decision. There is no need for a Security Council agreement when the question is about U.S. national security.

It should be noted that the last time a U.S. President had such support of law-makers and such broad authority was almost 40 years ago – in 1964, during the Vietnam War.

According to El Mundo, most political science experts forecast this scenereo: both Houses of Congress will support Bush and the question will be not “if” but “when” a war with Iraq occurres, nothing will stop the White House. American hawks can celebrate a victory.

Sergei Yugov PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Vera Solovieva