Iraq

[Terrance]

"calbert at hslboxmaster.com" wrote:


> "You can't take
> the energy out. You can't take the terrorists out."
> 
> Here again we must distinguish between the UN and US. I don't see the UN
> having any axe at all in the "energy" debate, at least with respect to Iraq.

See my reply to Joe. 


> 
> Neither can I discern a mandate with respect to terrorism on the part of
> the UN......That it might be an effective body with which to engage it is
> not in dispute - but I don't see the current issue as part of some
> historical effort on the part of that organization to tackle the
> issue.......

Its an effective body for dealing with matters like terrorism. 
Its deeply invested in the Iraq crisis (sanctions, inspections, other
matters) and the war on terrorism. 
The French and others have pushed a UN solution because that is where
they think they will ge the best deal because they have power there. 
9-11 bounced history in a new direction. The war on terrorism is a top
priority now. 
> 
> "And, based the statements of the UN and its member
> states, it seems that most states are satisfied (I still don't think
> France is playing a very smart hand and will ultimately fold) with the
> deal."
> 
> Again, the opinions of member states is irrelevant unless they sit on the
> security council.......

I'm not talking about opinion. I'm talking about public statements of
policy by UN members. Germany's statements may not be as important as
the France's but they are certainly not irrelevant, certainly not when
Germany is backing up its statements with actual military support
despite its public peace mongering. The only one playing the game now is
France. And she is being quite foolish. Germany has not played smart
either. 
Both have, I think, given Powell no choice but to show his true hawkish
position publicly. 



> 
> 
> "Iraq has not a friend in the world. There are nations that have been
> permitted to sell more oil because Saddam has fouled up his oil
> production and his economy. There are nations that prefer the devil they
> know to the one they don't. There are nations that don't care if Saddam
> & Co. go to hell as long as they get a reasonable debt payment plan out
> of the new government. And so on... Everyone having all sorts of
> conflicting interests, but still the world has gotten behind the UN on
> this crisis. And it looks like Saddam's days are numbered. That's a good
> thing for just about everyone except Saddam and his party."
> 
> I'm not an ends justify the means kind of guy.....particularly should such
> means serve the ends of entities I hold in even greater disregard than I do
> Saddam....
> 
> "Keep checking. Bush won't go minus the UN."
> 
> Though I pray it is so, I have no confidence that it is...I see this nation
> drifting closer than ever to REX 84....I really believe that Scrub wants to
> instigate terrorist attacks on Heimat, 

Oh, that stuff again...