WAR WATCH : To Battle Because Bush Is Impatient?

As the Jan. 15 deadline draws near, two things are clear. First, if Saddam Hussein has not withdrawn from Kuwait, President Bush is more than likely to commit American soldiers to war, with or without congressional authorization. Second, this kind of war, fought primarily with U.S. troops and financed by perhaps $100 billion in U.S. tax dollars, would be a huge mistake.

Virtually all military and strategic analysts outside the Administration argue that the international sanctions are costing Iraq $100 million a day and must be given additional time. The President cites little rationale for war now except his own impatience, a sentiment clearly not shared by European and Arab allies.

A war with Iraq will cost tens of thousands of American and other lives, cause massive economic chaos here and abroad, and lead to a loss of American allies in the Middle East. Nor do many military experts share the President’s optimism that a war would be “quick and decisive.” America must not be led into a premature war by impatience or on the mistaken belief that our laudable objectives can be achieved without massive human and economic sacrifice.