National News Bush launches war to topple Hussein without U.N. authorization

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The United States launched a war to topple Saddam Hussein on March 19, firing cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs into Baghdad, with the Iraqi leader himself among the targets.

"This will not be a campaign of half-measures and we will accept no outcome but victory," U.S. President George W. Bush said in an Oval Office address shortly after the first attack on the Iraqi capital.

Hussein appeared on state-run television, wearing military uniform, a few hours after the bombing. He said the United States had committed a "shameful crime" by attacking Iraq, and urged his country to "draw your sword" against the enemy.

The missiles struck less than two hours after the expiration of Bush's deadline for Hussein to surrender power or face war. Officials said the Iraqi leader was among the "leadership targets" that the strikes were aimed at.

It was clear from Bush's words - he called it the opening stages of a "broad and concerted campaign" - that the war to topple Hussein and eliminate any weapons of mass destruction had begun.

Iraq's ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed Al-Douri, called the military action "a breach of peace" and "a violation of international law."

Along with the U.S.-led force, nearly 300,000 troops massed in the Persian Gulf region, were 1,000 combat aircraft and five aircraft carrier battle groups. The United States claims the support of 45 other nations in a coalition to overthrow Hussein. But only Britain, with about 40,000 troops, was making a sizable contribution to the military force.

Despite deep divisions at the United Nations, Bush also claimed "the authority indeed, given the dangers involved, the duty to use force against Iraq to protect the security of the American people and to compel compliance with U.N. resolutions."

Foreigner ministers continued to meet in the U.N. Security Council at the request of the French and Germans, who insist that the American military operation is illegal.

"This is a sad day for the United Nations," said the organization's secretary-general, Kofi Annan, imploring the United States and its allies not to forsake humanitarian aid. "I know that millions of people around the world share this sense of disappointment and are deeply alarmed."

Bush abandoned diplomacy March 17, and U.S. officials blamed French intransigence for the lack of consensus on a new Security Council resolution that would have given Hussein an ultimatum.

ブッシュ、対イラク攻撃開始

ブッシュ米大統領がフセイン・イラク大統領に亡命を求めた最後通告の期限が切れた3月20日、米英によるイラク攻撃が始まった。

Shukan ST: March 28, 2003

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