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Clare short talks theology about Iraq

By staff writers
April 22, 2003

Short talks of theological thinking on Iraq

-22/4/03

In a surprising statement on Good Friday, the International Development Secretary revealed that she thinks in theological terms.

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, the International Development Secretary tackled the essentially utilitarian argument that civilian deaths in the war with Iraq were a legitimate price to pay for regime change.

She said; "in my view, it is morally and theologically wrong to suggest that the death of innocent civilians is 'a price worth paying' for the overthrow of a cruel dictatorship."

Short was correcting the Telegraph's reporting of a briefing that she had given at the request of the Foreign Press Association on April 16 which had suggested that the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime could be measured in such terms.

She added; "British troops are setting a fine example in undertaking these duties, but the speed of collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime led to grave disorder that exacerbated humanitarian suffering."

In a surprising statement on Good Friday, the International Development Secretary revealed that she thinks in theological terms.

In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, the International Development Secretary tackled the essentially utilitarian argument that civilian deaths in the war with Iraq were a legitimate price to pay for regime change.

She said; "in my view, it is morally and theologically wrong to suggest that the death of innocent civilians is 'a price worth paying' for the overthrow of a cruel dictatorship."

Short was correcting the Telegraph's reporting of a briefing that she had given at the request of the Foreign Press Association on April 16 which had suggested that the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime could be measured in such terms.

She added; "British troops are setting a fine example in undertaking these duties, but the speed of collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime led to grave disorder that exacerbated humanitarian suffering."

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