Page 27 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 12 February 1991
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Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, there are some groups and individuals within our world who seek to influence their fellow human beings by force of arms. Today we are debating the actions of a leader clearly acknowledged by many as a cruel and sadistic dictator and bully who has chosen that path to claim the territory of a sovereign neighbour. The world has seen not only the rape of a small nation by a large one, without provocation or reason, but also the consequent encouragement of instability in a part of the world already noted for its volatility and lack of regional cooperation.
The nations of the world who are part of the United Nations have, almost to a country, rightly condemned the actions of this dictator in Iraq and sought to have the status quo retained. Australians have a very good record in participating in activities sponsored by the United Nations and have served with distinction and dedication in this arena. It is therefore appropriate that we should be participating in this latest activity, especially when it has the support of such a large majority of nations.
I have no doubt that much will be made about the need for sanctions to have been allowed to work in this case. However, since August last year attempts have been continuously made to resolve this issue by diplomatic means and the application of economic sanctions. We have seen recently continued attempts by leaders in the region to seek to convince Saddam Hussein that he must withdraw from Kuwait. However, it has become abundantly clear that Saddam Hussein is really not interested in a peaceful solution to the problem he has created but is hell-bent on a course of action which has the potential to lead to the destruction of his defence forces and considerable damage to the Iraqi nation, its people and its regional environment.
It is very difficult to negotiate with a person who appears to have no appreciation for human life. The use of chemical weapons and the summary execution of many of his own people are proof positive of this. While, of course, not present at the time, as a student of history I am only too aware of the results the last time that appeasement of a dictator with ambitions beyond his own borders was attempted - the pictures of Chamberlain returning to England, after talks with Hitler, flourishing an agreement and suggesting that he had achieved "peace in our time". We all know the end result of that. My father and many of his mates were called to the region near where this conflict is taking place to fight a war that was a direct result of the decision to appease another dictator rather than act resolutely.
However, I do recall the pictures of the Russian tanks driving into Bucharest following an attempt by the people of Hungary to break their ties with Russia. Many will recall seeing this taking place on our new TV screens when the Olympic Games were held in Melbourne. Some of us may
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