Once, the U.S. Was Cozy With the Reviled Hussein - LA TIMES letter

[Eric J in MN]

Saturday, Dec. 20, will mark a week in custody for Saddam Hussein at the hands of our military and its boss, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Though that in itself is not significant, the date Dec. 20 is. Exactly 20 years ago this Saturday, Rumsfeld was a guest in Baghdad, his host none other than Hussein.

As special envoy for President Reagan, Rumsfeld went to assure his host that he could count on America to be in his corner. This was done in spite of our knowledge of Hussein's use of chemical weapons against the Iranian military as well as civilians in both Iran and Iraq. With Rummy's help, Hussein received all the military equipment he needed, including chemicals that could be used in weapons. The Reagan administration removed Iraq from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, thus opening the doors to U.S. aid, as well as the ability to acquire sophisticated technology and equipment from us. In addition to this, we provided Hussein's government with lists that contained names of suspected communists. Many on these lists were hunted down and killed, jailed or tortured.

I hope President Bush, Rumsfeld and the rest of the American public will take time away from their gloating over Hussein's capture and reflect upon this special anniversary.

Sean H. Mill

Santa Ana

[Name removed]

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[Pillowbiter]

2. The problem is...

That many of the war supporters are proclaiming the evils of Saddam, which happened 20 years ago, but not since.

PB

[On the Road]

3. The Point Has to be Made Correctly to Score Points

This isn't a mere case of changing alliances, it's a case of the same people condeming a former ally for doing things that they themselves encouraged, enabled, and authorized at the time. All without the slightest bit of remorse.

More than that, the same people are still encouraging in other countries the same abuses Saddam is being condemned for. One example is Azerbaijan. There are dozens of others. The hypocrisy is absolutely rank, and obvious to anyone outside the US.

I agree, the argument can easily become loser talk. But it's a potentially powerful agument if it can be framed correctly.

[northzax]

4. and let's not forget

that by 1993, when Rummy was in Baghdad, Hussein had already led two seperate purges, against Shiites and Kurds. He then preemptively invaded Iran (maybe that's where Rummy got the idea) claiming that Iran was about to attack Iraq. 3 million people died in that war. Saddam certainly ranks with the evil ones, but when it was convenient, these same people supported him. If you feed the monster, you should expect it to bite you.

All I want is for Rummy, Bush I, Weinberger and the like to stand up and say" Look, yes, Saddam Hussein was our ally. That was a mistake. Yes, we sold weapons to him. That was also a mistake. I take full responsiblity for allying the United States with a monster." is that so hard?

but remember, we are at war with East Asia, we have always been at war with East Asia...

[Name removed]

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