International Law to Back Up the Will of the World

As one who was born and raised in Iraq and later became an American, I find myself torn by conflicting feelings. The Iraqi government holds as hostage not only foreign lives but also the lives of many Iraqis who are confused by past inconsistencies in our moral stands in the world and who hear nothing except what they are told by their government, which has been playing effectively on their nationalistic feeling.

I lived an Iraqi life once and now I am living an American life; I feel that one is just as valuable to me as the other.

Regardless of whether or not Iraq had a valid historic claim, the Iraqi government obviously broke international law by invading and annexing a country recognized by all nations. Just as a civilized society feels responsible for keeping order by providing courts and police enforcement, a civilized world should find a way to do the same. An international law backed by an international court and international police enforcement is an idea whose time has come. If this were available to us now the Iraqis would be convinced that they were facing the will of the whole world and not that of a single country trying to protect a narrow interest.

MUHSIN ABO-SHAEER

Goleta