FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM U.S. Rep. Ed Case, center, talked to Nancy Rubin, left, and Errol Rubin yesterday at a "talk story" session in Kailua.

War with Iraq
needs global OK,
Case says

He also criticizes the Bush
administration for ignoring
North Korea

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By Rick Daysog
rdaysog@starbulletin.com

Iraq represents a threat to the United States and has been frustrating the weapons inspection process for about a decade. But America should not invade that country without international consensus, according to U.S. Rep. Ed Case.

Speaking before a town hall meeting at Kailua District Park yesterday, Case weighed in on the Bush administration's threats to go to war with Iraq.

"The fact that (Saddam) Hussein is a threat and the fact that he has ignored, or at least frustrated, the United Nations resolutions does not entitle us as a matter of right to invade," Case said.

"We have to find a way to solve these crises in a way other than throwing our weight around."

The Democratic congressman said the Bush administration needs to continue working through the United Nations process and to fashion an international solution to the Iraqi crisis before going to war.

Case believes there's "increasing resentment" among some U.S. allies, such as France and Turkey, about its approach to the Iraq crisis.

"Iraq is about more than just Iraq," Case said. "It's about how we use our power in the world and it's about how we solve crises."

Case said the Bush administrations needs to take a similar approach to the other international hot spot, North Korea.

He urged the administration to pursue joint negotiations involving China and other Asian nations to address the looming crisis.

"My assessment is that administration is more preoccupied with Iraq and is not sufficiently involved with North Korea," Case said.

"I certainly believe that North Korea has the potential to spin out of control more than Iraq."

Case's foreign-policy comments are part of a series of wide-ranging "talk story" session he's holding with local community members this weekend. Case said he's held about 20 such meetings during the past five weeks to get a better feel about the issues affecting his constituents.

During the 90-minute meeting in Kailua yesterday, Case criticized tax cuts proposed by the Bush administration, saying they won't boost the economy in the short term but will increase the nation's budget deficit.

The government will see a $1.5 trillion drop in tax collections even before the proposed cuts show any impact on the struggling economy, he said.

Case said he's more in favor of tax relief to specific businesses and industries and additional aid to state governments.

"I think targeted tax cuts at an affordable level plus some aid to our state government will do a world of good to our economy," he said.

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Rep. Ed Case