Bolton and Kucinich 'discuss' Article 51

Article 51

Article 51 can be found in Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. According to John Bolton, the US Ambassador to the UN, Article 51 supports pre-emptively attacking another nation, and for purposes of this brief discussion let that other nation be Iran. Now, let us peruse said section of the UN Charter,which reads,

Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.

For an administration that prides itself on strict interpretations, it is quite obvious that John Bolton believes that pre-emptive attacks by the US are covered under Article 51. Perhaps, if my reading comprehension skills have failed me, the following language seems rather implicit. "Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations..." So nothing would prevent the US from attacking, again for the sake of the discussion, Iran, "if" Iran were to attack the US. Of course, Iran isn't going to pre-emptively attack the US despite all the bluster of Ahmadinejad.

The notion of pre-emptive attacks being covered by Article 51 by Bolton and the current administration does more to undermine and weaken the United Nations than any "lack of inaction" that works within the confines of the UN Charter. It should be noted that Bolton was rather clear that the Bush administration does not believe that the use of pre-emption is available to Iran.

Here is a link, just watch it for yourself.