THE criteria for a just war need to be considered carefully as the United States moves closer to launching an attack on Iraq.
The criteria, as specified by the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, say that it must be an act of self-defence against an unjust aggressor.
The action must be initiated by a legitimate authority and it must be the last resort after all non-violent means have been exhausted and there must be a reasonable chance of success.
The action must not cause greater evil than that which it sets out to address and must discriminate between combatants and non-combatants.
Considering these points, it must be concluded that an attack on Iraq is not justified under present conditions.
