[Peace-discuss] Administration threatens nuclear strike. Kucinich responds.

[Amer Against War With Iraq]

Administration threatens nuclear strike. Kucinich responds.

Note from Lila Garrett:  Today (1/15/03) in the LA TIMES, page 1, the 
headline read:  U.S. WEIGHS TACTICAL NUCLEAR STRIKE ON IRAQ. For what one 
defense analyst says is a worst-case scenario, planners are studying the use 
of atomic bombs on deeply buried targets.  Of course this shocking news came 
out on a Saturday, the day they often use to soften up the public. Rep. 
Dennis Kucinich responded to this terrifying report immediately.


Kucinich Calls On Administration to Renounce
Use of 'First Strike' Nuclear Weapons In Iraq

LA Times Reports 'First Strike' Nuke an Option


        The Administration must publicly renounce the use of 'first strike' 
nuclear weapons in Iraq, stated Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) in a 
statement today.

        Kucinich, Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee 
on National Security, Veterans Affairs and International Relations issued 
the following statement:

        "A news report in today's Los Angeles Times indicates that the 
Administration is considering the use of 'first strike' nuclear missiles in 
Iraq. Today, I call upon the President to publicly renounce the use of such 
weapons.

        "Such discussion serves only to destabilize an already fragile 
region, and could further deteriorate the crisis in North Korea. Nuclear 
rhetoric such as this also sends a dangerous message to other nuclear 
countries such as India and Pakistan, and sets the United States at odds 
with nuclear powers China and Russia.

        "The President, as the man whose hand is on the nuclear button, must 
publicly renounce loose talk of a 'first strike' nuclear attack. Such 
rhetoric is irresponsible and not worthy of a great nation.

        "At a time when the United States is seeking world support nuclear 
'first strike' rhetoric runs counter the UN Charter and would violate the 
intent of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty.

        "This escalation in rhetoric by this Administration, in addition to 
the massive troop build-up in the region, puts innocent people and US troops 
and allies in the region at risk. It increases, not decreases the 
possibility of an attack on our nation. America should be leading the world 
in getting rid of nuclear weapons not using them."

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