“ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE”
THE THREAT OF PREEMPTIVE STRIKES AGAINST IRAN

When: Monday, June 12, 2006; at 6:30 p.m.

Where: New York City Bar Association, 42 West 44th Street

In its September 2002 National Security Strategy, the United States set forth the following with respect to the use of preemptive force, in Section V, “Prevent Our Enemies from Threatening Us, Our Allies, and Our Friends with Weapons of Mass Destruction”:

The United States has long maintained the option of preemptive actions to counter a sufficient threat to our national security. The greater the threat, the greater is the risk of inaction — and the more compelling the case for taking anticipatory action to defend ourselves, even if uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the enemy’s attack. To forestall or prevent such hostile acts by our adversaries, the United States will, if necessary, act preemptively.

The March 2006 National Security Strategy, at Section V, summarized the 2002 strategy, then added additional subsections titled “Current Context: Successes and Challenges” and ‘The Way Ahead,” which identified Iran as a particular concern: “We may face no greater challenge from a single country than from Iran.”

At a February 22, 2005 press conference, President Bush stated: “And finally, this notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. And having said that, all options are on the table.” On March 7, 2006 , Vice President Cheney reiterated: “For our part, the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime.”

Recently, it has been reported that the United States continues to ready plans for a preemptive strike against Iran, in particular its nuclear capabilities, and that such plans include the possible use of nuclear “bunker busters.”

What is the difference between a preemptive and preventive war? When is a preemptive strike legal? May nuclear weapons be used? What are the implications for U.S. doctrine and international law with respect to Iran ? This program will focus on these and related issues of vital importance.

Panelists :

• GARY D. SOLIS, Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center , whose talk is titled “Preemptive and Preventive War: The Case of Iraq.”

• CHARLES J. MOXLEY JR., Adjunct Professor, Fordham Law School , will deliver a talk titled “Lawfulness of the Use or Threat of Use of Nuclear Weapons.”

• DAVID B. RIVKIN, Baker & Hostetler, LLP, will speak on “The Legal Case for a Possible Preemptive Strike Against Iran.”

About the Association
The Association of the Bar of the City of New York (www.nycbar.org) was founded in 1870, and since then has been dedicated to maintaining the high ethical standards of the profession, promoting reform of the law, and providing service to the profession and the public.

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