- I see heads before me that are ripe for the plucking, and I am the
one to pluck them, and I see blood glistening between the turbans
and the beards. By God, O people of Iraq, people of discord and
dissembling and evil character. By God I shall strip you like a
bundle of twigs, I shall beat you like stray camels. I swear by God
that you will keep strictly to the true path, or I shall punish every
man of you in his body.
Five years ago the war for Kuwait ended in victory for the United States and its Coalition partners. Five and a half months after the Iraqis invaded Kuwait, the inevitable counterattack was launched. Live on television (and for all but one of this issue's contributors, live in the sky above us) the war was fought to its inevitable conclusion.
It's a war that will be interminably argued about. Was it necessary? Was it actually won? What was the role of the press? Does it mean anything? I have my own opinions. The war was necessary, if for no other reason than to stop the idea that disputes are settled by force, that larger countries can gobble up small countries and the rule of law is subordinate to the rule of force. And yes, the world needed oil and yes, Saddam was not the man to control it. We clearly stopped one of those unique personalities who sooner or later plunge the world into the abyss. As for the press -- if it was not so clear that they were so ignorant I would have cheered had the military begun treason proceedings. Did the coalition win? What were the victory conditions? Is it was to expel Iraq from Kuwait and keep them from trying again in the near future -- then yes. A final note. This article of Cry "Havoc!" is late -- the first in three years. A fact the editor and publisher deeply regrets, apologizes for and will now explain. I made a major error in judgment.
Several months ago I had been approached by someone who offered to do an article on the historical evidence that Kuwait was never part of Iraq. The writer in question submitted a draft in December which I returned with a request for corrections and clarification on some points -- about four hours work. I was assured that these would be done. Nothing materialized. He then left the country on business.
Since I had faith in this person I held off on Cry "Havoc!" thinking I would have the draft returned upon his arrival. He never contacted me nor has he said a word to me about it even though over a month passed since his return.
While we had plenty of material on hand for an issue, most of it was not related to Desert Storm. This necessitated a lot of last minute phone calls and begging in order to fill the gap he left.
I learned two lessons. First, never place your reputation in someone else's control. Second, never, ever trust that writer again.
All future issues will be on time!
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© Copyright 1996 by David W. Tschanz.
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