The New Republic Online: Correspondence

TO THE EDITORS:

I agree, Saddam has likely violated the cease-fire agreement, but get the Security Council to say so, and then we can move in. The cease-fire ending the war calls for the Security Council, not the United States, to enforce it. The U.N. charter calls for the Security Council, not individual countries, to enforce its resolutions. The U.S. Constitution says that agreements the United States enters into have the force of law. International law has regulated how and why countries can declare war for centuries. The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war. The Bush administration's policies skirt these facts. It is likely the United States will move in without explicit permission, but we will do so alone. The British solicitor general has already warned Tony Blair that he cannot use military force against Iraq without an explicit resolution from the Security Council. Is a position asking for respect for the rule of law so hard to understand? Is the silence from our supposed allies not telling? They will support us only if we start approaching this the right way--not the way of an empire that believes it is above the law.

GARY DENTON
Pasedena (sp), Texas

Finally my letter shows up. I looked for the magazine this weekend at newstands and couldn't find it. They said they normally arrive Monday and had sold out. They said I wasn't the only one to ask for an issue. My friend Peter says he has a copy for me.