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Costa Rican Paper Criticizes US, British Attacks on Iraq
La Republica, one of Costa Rica's most influential newspapers, criticized the latest US and British air strikes near Iraq's capital of Baghdad, as a violation to the sovereignty of states that "only leads the world to violence."
The newspaper editorial said, "Could a country, just for the reason of being a world power, have the right to decide what the defense force of another country should be?" referring to the US argument that Iraqi air defenses have improved considerably.
US and British airplanes launched last Friday the first major bombings near Baghdad in more than two years, killing two civilians and injuring 20 others.
The air raids triggered a chorus of international concerns and criticism for endangering stability in the Middle East.
The editorial said, "It is notable that the raid is one of the first foreign policy steps taken by the new US President George Bush."
The editorial also pointed out that "The attack could be a message saying from now on there will be a trend to solve international conflict via military intervention," addressing the fact that the "US Cabinet is made up of many Republican falcons who directly participated in the Gulf War."
It regarded the bombing as "an important signal for Latin America" and warned that the threatening situation in Colombia could "turn into a regional armed conflict, should a negotiated and fair solution not be achieved."
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