Don Lydon (Fianna Fail)

The question of war is not clear cut because there are so many variables. It is not only a matter of a good or bad guy – there is much more to it. I would consider myself to be pro-American but I am not anti-Arab or anti-Iraq. Perhaps I am a little older than some other Members, but I am reminded of the Second World War. I have said many times in the House that when the chips are down we always call on Uncle Sam. We can never repay all those young Americans who lost their lives in the last world war so that Europe would be free from the scourge of national socialism. While we can say what we like about the Americans, if things go wrong we must always turn to the United States. So far, we have never been let down.

Many Senators referred to the morality of military action and I agree with many of the views expressed. I also agree with Senator Ryan's view that the current threat posed by the Iraqi regime does not justify war. The Minister of State has indicated that the Government does not wish to see war and at every forum available it has spoken and used its influence to urge the parties to find a peaceful solution. That is what we would all like.

However, this debate is concerned with wider issues, especially in view of the events of 11 September. Can we truly expect the Americans to do nothing while another couple of airplanes destroy skyscrapers and kill more thousands of people? Not only are they right to act, but they have a duty to do so.

The Americans have acted. To the best of my understanding they destroyed most of the al-Qaeda network in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the figures indicate that 3,000 innocent people lost their lives in that conflict. It is a very sad consequence of war. It is difficult to balance these things, right or wrong.

Our main concern is whether we want the United States to be the world's policeman. Our views appear not to matter much because the Americans will act in this way regardless. The United States is the most powerful country the world has ever seen. The only frightening aspect is that power in such a huge country seems to be concentrated in the hands of a very few, who can use it for good or ill.

Senator Norris outlined the faults of the United States and its various excursions. I do not approve of its involvement in the overthrow of the Allende regime in Chile, its incursions into Nicaragua or its use of agent orange in the Vietnam war, etc. However, ultimately, we must sometimes come down on one side or the other.