GAFFNEY, KRAUTHAMMER DELIVER ONE-TWO PUNCH TO BUSH’S VIETNAM SYNDROME

(Washington, D.C.): In recent days, the Bush Administration has displayed toward the continuing crisis in the Persian Gulf none of the clarity of vision and coherence of purpose that enabled it to accomplish the job of liberating Kuwait. To the contrary, even as the President has cited that success in declaring victory over the "Vietnam Syndrome," it has become abundantly clear that his Administration has fallen prey to this syndrome first in abandoning the Kurds and other Iraqi people to Saddam Hussein’s depredations and second in taking irresolute half-measures to alleviate their suffering.

Within the past forty-eight hours, two articles powerfully indicted the Bush Administration for succumbing to the Vietnam Syndrome — and warned that the benefits that should accrue to the United States from its sharply contrasting performance in the war with Iraq are being recklessly squandered. The first, entitled "Return of the Syndrome" was published in the Washington Times on 18 April by Frank J. Gaffney, Jr., director of the Center for Security Policy. The second, entitled "Good Morning, Vietnam: The Syndrome Returns, Courtesy of George Bush," was written by Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer and appeared this morning. Copies of these articles are attached.

Gaffney observed: "If he wishes to lick the ‘Vietnam Syndrome’ once and for all, President Bush must bring to the liberation of Iraq the same determination, vision and unconstrained willingness to commit American resources that so brilliantly achieved the liberation of Kuwait. Only by doing so can he: provide real relief to the suffering Kurds and other Iraqi citizens; offer the Persian Gulf region long-term protection against Saddam Hussein’s malevolence; and secure for the United States and its allies the full benefits of the recent, but still incomplete, victory in the war with Iraq." (Emphasis added.)

Krauthammer wrote: "After liberating Kuwait … President Bush declined the opportunity afforded us by our total control of the air to liberate Iraq. The human catastrophe that resulted from this decision has moved him to assume the role of warden of the starving Kurds. This instant transformation from liberator to relief worker is a return to our Vietnam role: looking after the pathetic victims of yet another foreign failure." (Emphasis added.)

The Center for Security Policy continues to believe that the United States — and, if they are so disposed, other members of the coalition — must make the objective of their present policy nothing less than the liberation of Iraq. Saddam Hussein must be removed from power, one way or another, and the people of that long-suffering country must be given an opportunity to decide for themselves the character and policies of their government.