
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 24, 1992                   TAG: 9203240429
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BUSH TURNED IRAQ VICTORY INTO DISASTER

I VOTED for George Bush in 1988 as the lesser of two evils. I now realize we must take immediate action to inspire new confidence. This can only be accomplished by a change in leadership.

The American and allied victory over Saddam Hussein's forces was due to our great superiority in battle and the experience and genius of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf. The president's only achievement, for which he should receive very high marks, was in unifying so many countries and so many armies into one coordinated fighting force.

This is where all credit should stop, because President Bush turned the greatest military victory in history into a disaster for all the people in Iraq, most of the Persian Gulf and even America by stopping the war three days too soon. After the United Nations, America and other countries grow tired of playing hide-and-seek with Saddam, the world will again be confronted by this madman with his chemical, biological and nuclear capabilities.

President Bush told the almost unarmed civilians in Iraq that Saddam Hussein had been defeated, so it was now their responsibility to rise up and overthrow him. Saddam then murdered tens of thousands of rebellious people, destroyed their towns, and chased many thousands of others into the mountains to starve and freeze. All America should know that this was due to President Bush's stupid, irresponsible statement.

Saddam Hussein is still in power, planning his next act of terrorism or war to even the score, while a million of his people may suffer and die of starvation and disease. MELVIN C. GREEN SALEM

by CNB