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GLOBAL NEWS NET Newsbreaks�Analysis�Commentary� �Awareness Leading to Solutions� Global News Net is a forum whose mission is to present diverse information, commentary and analysis for the purpose of promoting solution-oriented awareness and introspection leading to informed choices. November 9, 2002 WEBB: DON'T ATTACK IRAQ Former Marine Urges Restraint By ALEX FRIEDRICH [EMAIL PROTECTED] A former Cabinet member under former President Ronald Reagan told military officers Thursday in Monterey that the United States should not invade Iraq. Former Secretary of the Navy James Webb said the country should focus instead on eliminating international terrorism. Speaking at the Naval Postgraduate School, Webb said that without a clear understanding of consequences - or a clear exit strategy - U.S. forces face a decades-long occupation that could sap American resolve and resources. The United States also risks inflaming Arab anger even more if it invades without first finding a solution to the Palestinian problem - which would include establishment of a Palestinian state, Webb said. "I am very concerned with the direction this country may be going with regard to Iraq," Webb told several hundred students and faculty members. "Are we going to reshape American foreign policy to put (soldiers) on the ground in the Middle East? I think it's a mistake." Webb, a best-selling novelist who also has written nonfiction since leaving the military, cautioned against an invasion in a Sept. 4 article in the Wall Street Journal. He has argued against toppling the regime and rebuilding the government unless the United States is in direct danger. The evidence of such danger, he said, is not in sight. Despite the size of the U.S. armed forces, he said, a collection of 1.5 million troops "is not that many" if it's spread out over the world. "There are a lot of recently retired officers with experience who are concerned," he said. The failure of the United States to solve the Palestinian problem would also complicate any invasion by inflaming Arab tension. "I don't think we have clean hands" in the Palestinian issue, he said, and have failed "to effect a Palestinian state. Without that happening, anything we do in that region can be misconstrued to our detriment." America must also focus on aggressively pursuing trans-national terrorist organizations, he said, "even if it means (crossing) boundaries of (host) countries not doing the policing." The American government must tell such countries: "If you can't control them, we're going to get them." Webb also voiced suspicions over China, which has maintained ties to Muslim countries in Southeast Asia for years. A war with Iraq would allow China to isolate the United States diplomatically and further its expansionist ambitions in the region. Despite his concern, Webb said the recent Republican congressional sweep probably wouldn't accelerate a move against Iraq. Though Bush may find it easier to implement policy in a Republican-controlled Congress, key members of his party still have strong reservations about an invasion. Republican senators Richard Lugar and Charles Hagel - key members of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee - share Webb's concerns of hasty action. "I don't think the change in leadership is going to be positive for the administration on this issue," he said. Webb was secretary of the Navy from 1987 to 1988, when he resigned over a naval reduction of forces. Before that, he was assistant secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs for three years, and counsel to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs from 1977 to 1981. He has written six best-selling novels, one of which - Fields of Fire - is being made into a feature film by RKO productions. His also won an Emmy for his coverage of the U.S. Marines in Beirut for PBS. Webb earned decorations including the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Purple Hearts while serving with the Fifth Marine Regiment in Vietnam. � 2001 mcherald and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.montereyherald.com ****** Global News Net is a free newsletter published by Dandelion Books, LLC, Tempe, Arizona. If others wish to subscribe to the free Global News Net newsletter, please have them click on [EMAIL PROTECTED] . For archived issues of Global News Net, click on www.groups.yahoo.com/ global_news_net/ With the exception of articles and other input bearing the by-line of Carol Adler, President of Dandelion Books, LLC and owner of Global News Net, the material presented in the GNN newsletters does not necessarily reflect the opinions and outlook of Dandelion Books, LLC. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! 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