March 15, 2006
“Threats of unilateral preemptive strikes undermine the rule of law and endanger our own interests. The doctrine of preemption that got our troops to Iraq has not made us safer. In fact, it has made our nation and the world less secure. We need to work with our allies, the United Nations and other multilateral institutions to confront our shared challenges by utilizing our common resources and capabilities.
“Disavowing the doctrine of preemption in no way invalidates the principle of self defense in the face of proven, imminent attack. But the ongoing quagmire in Iraq should stand as a stark warning of the dangers of launching an elective, preemptive war based solely on the speculation of a possible future threat.”
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Barbara Lee Blasts Bush Preemption Policy as Unsafe
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) responded to the Bush administration’s reaffirming its commitment to the doctrine of preemption today, saying that the policy has made the U.S. and the world less safe. Lee, who in the last two Congresses has introduced a resolution disavowing the Bush administration’s doctrine, issued the following statement:“Threats of unilateral preemptive strikes undermine the rule of law and endanger our own interests. The doctrine of preemption that got our troops to Iraq has not made us safer. In fact, it has made our nation and the world less secure. We need to work with our allies, the United Nations and other multilateral institutions to confront our shared challenges by utilizing our common resources and capabilities.
“Disavowing the doctrine of preemption in no way invalidates the principle of self defense in the face of proven, imminent attack. But the ongoing quagmire in Iraq should stand as a stark warning of the dangers of launching an elective, preemptive war based solely on the speculation of a possible future threat.”