Oh, I'm up to my ears in soundbites, soundnibbles, the sounds of silence... I prefer soundgulps, soundgorges... a veritable orgy of sound when the topic is this important. G. W. Bush has spoken so little of substance to the American people and the world that one could conclude that he doesn't care for the sound of his own voice. After reading MacBeth's and Grizzled's posts, I'm trying to figure out if we're in a subtle pick and roll from Bush Sr., or a monster block like Yao had the other night (with no bogus foul called!). Facinating stuff. It IS strange that it's had so little play in the States. European ball?? (DD, it's like most of them are from the NBDL. The only major player is Britain.)
Where is the U.N. when it comes to North Korea? North Korea has been showcasing their apparent unwillingness to cooperate with the international community for months now. Threatening nuclear winter on U.N. member states sounds pretty belligerent to me.
Economic aid is always a major part of building a coalition, but when Turkey declines 15 billion dollars of much needed funding there are major flaws in our policies. Our current coalition of 19 countries is missing the majority of the world powers we had during the 1991 campaign. The US might as well include the 50 states of the union in the current rag tag coalition.
Spain and Portugal do not fit into that category, and I think you completely misread the former Soviet satellites' opinions of the U.S. and it's foreign policy. But it sounds good, so go with it.
How much did we bribe Britain? Actually flip it around. The fact that Germany, France and Russia have the 3 biggest economic ties to Saddam makes them irrelevant in any discussion about Iraq. DD
I'm not sure what you're asking here...I am not privy to the inner workings of the UN re: N. Korea at this point, but are you suggesting that they should address posturing and sabre rattling? I agree that it is disturbing, and I would feel better if something were being done, but I am not sure what I would advise...At this point it would be dealing only with verbal barrages, and some of that may be understandable given the whole Axis of Evil potshots...SHould Bush have been censured for that? I honestly don't know what authority the UN has over the words alone positions of other nations...
How much did we bribe Britain? One theory is that we have promised them some more Iraqi oil contracts than they have now. Another theory is that we have agreed to support the British pound that is not doing too good against the Euro. The pound Sterling theory I saw mentioned just once, and I didin't check it out, but it is interesting.
Glynch, The pound is doing very well, the Euro is getting crushed, and the dollar is also declining. Out of the 3, the pound is the most solid. Nice try. DD
Timing, It has been mentioned everywhere that France has been buying oil and selling parts for the Mirage planes among other things to Iraq. Russia has had oil contracts in place with Iraq for years. Germany has been selling them tubing that violates the UN sanctions. For a minute, let's assume all this is true. Would you think that clouds their judgement on the issue of war with Iraq? DD
B-Bob, The only reason I even know this is that I just sold my company and we were looking at which figure to use in the sale agreement. DD
You said it is a fact that Russia, Germany, and France have the biggest economic ties with Iraq. Prove it. One company selling parts for Miraqe jets here and one company selling tubing here doesn't correlate to the French and German governments having a biased agenda based on trading partnerships.
I wish the U.N. would get that diplomatic mojo on the go, that they are always professing in matters such as these. Last thing I want is for us to have to solve this problem militarily. I don't want our troops to be obliterated by nuclear weapons or watch California fall into the Pacific Ocean because Dr. Evil doesn't feel his country is a respected member of the international community. I agree the Axis of Evil remark was used of poor judgment but the writer has been fired.
Even the Spanish Prime minister is saying the same thing. MADRID, March 10 (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, an active supporter of the United States on Iraq, on Monday linked the "material interests" of France, Russia and China in Iraq to their opposition to the use of force there. Spain, currently on the U.N. Security Council, has joined the United States and Britain in backing a tough new resolution giving Iraq little time to disarm or face military strikes. "We don't have any material interests in Iraq...France has material interests in Iraq. Russia has material interests in Iraq. China has material interests in Iraq. We don't have any," Aznar told Telecinco television in drawing a distinction between governments on opposing sides within the U.N. Security Council. Asked by the interviewer if those interests explained the French, Russian and Chinese positions on Iraq, Aznar said, "That's a question only they can answer." "Simply, it seems to me they are on the wrong path and should be adding more pressure on (Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein...They have the wrong orientation," Aznar said. . . . ____________________________________________________ I hardly think that they are thinking of the good of the planet do you? DD
He's just parroting like you are. What interests? What percentage of France, Germany, and Russia's international trade is with Iraq? Stop the innuendo and show the information. You can claim it's raining all day long but it's not raining to me until I see the rain.
