"We are at war to liberate Iraq, to protect the people of the United States and other countries from the devastating impact of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction being used by terrorists or the Iraqi government to kill thousands of innocent civilians"
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Paul Cellucci, the previous U.S. Ambassador to Canada, made this declaration during the early 2000s, showing the reasoning behind the United States' choice to go to war with Iraq, specifically the 2003 invasion called the Iraq War. This quote encapsulates the complicated motivations and validations provided by the U.S. federal government at the time, under the management of President George W. Bush.
To start with, the quote begins with the phrase "We are at war to liberate Iraq", suggesting a humanitarian objective. This indicates that the U.S. considered its military actions as a way to release the Iraqi individuals from dictatorial guideline, presumably that of Saddam Hussein, who was illustrated as a brutal totalitarian. The freedom element concentrated on the idea of bringing democracy to Iraq and easing its citizens from decades-long injustice.
The phrase "to secure individuals of the United States and other nations" presents the security rationale. In the after-effects of the September 11, 2001 attacks, there was heightened worry and awareness relating to international terrorism. The U.S. administration argued that removing Saddam Hussein's regime was needed to prevent Iraq from becoming a breeding place or fan of terrorism, which may target the U.S. and its allies.
Cellucci continues with "from the disastrous effect of Iraqi weapons of mass damage", which reflects one of the most popular and contentious validations for the war. The Bush administration claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass damage (WMDs) and that these could potentially fall under the hands of terrorists. This argument was meant to evoke a sense of imminent risk and the requirement for preemptive action.
The statement concludes with "used by terrorists or the Iraqi government to kill thousands of innocent civilians", enhancing the urgency and moral implications of the situation. This communicates the notion that both the program and terrorists were plausible threats to global peace and security.
In summary, Cellucci's statement is a reflection of the narratives employed by the U.S. federal government to justify the Iraq War. It combines humanitarian, security, and moral dimensions to promote for military intervention, although retrospectively, a lot of these claims, particularly about WMDs, have been heavily scrutinized and criticized.
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