Oct. 10, 2002 – Delegate to Congress Donna Christian Christensen is speaking out against a U.S. House of Representatives resolution to give President Bush authority to fight a war against Iraq.
"I agree with the principle that war should be a last resort and not a first response," the delegate said in a news release.
Since Tuesday, the House has been debating whether to give Bush the authority he needs to invade Iraq.
During the debate, Christensen reminded her colleagues that although she can't vote, Virgin Islanders will be called to fight this war. Her spokeswoman, Monique Clendinen, said the office did not have figures on the number of Virgin Islanders in the military because they are lumped with Puerto Rico.
Christensen said that before an invasion takes place, the country needs clear evidence that Iraq poses an imminent and major threat to our safety and national security.
"We must exhaust all diplomatic efforts and fully utilize all options available to us through the United Nations," she said.
She said she supports the requirement of unfettered and complete weapons inspections. Christensen also supports the use of force to ensure those inspections are done and that any biological or chemical weapons or weapons of mass destruction be destroyed.
Christensen said she would prefer the Spratt/Moran amendment, which authorizes Bush to follow a United Nations resolution that allows military force to eliminate weapons of mass destruction.
If the U.N. fails to approve that resolution, Christensen said Bush should seek Congressional approval
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