Weapons search tests our principles

Monday, June 9, 2003

Weapons search tests our principles

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

The debate about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq is an important test of our principles.

Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice appeared on television talk shows yesterday urging Americans to wait. Sooner or later, they said, Saddam's illegal weapons will be found.

It's very likely -- even probable -- that some illegal cache of weapons will be found. But, we wonder, is that enough?

The constitutional standard for warfare is for the United States to face a "clear and present danger." That standard was twisted by the administration's argument for a preventative war -- a war called because of a supposed imminent threat of chemical, biological or even nuclear weapons that were available to Saddam's regime and by extension, terrorists worldwide.

But new intelligence information shows that the "clear and present danger" was subject to interpretation. At least one agency was more cautious in its view.

Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Services Committee, said a full investigation could determine what the intelligence committee knew about weapons of mass destruction. "This nation has got to lead in this world. If we're going to really lead in a war against terrorism, we must have people who believe in us, who, when we say that something is true, believe that it is true."

We also need to believe that the Constitution was followed and Iraq posted a clear and present danger.