Primakov warns against attacking Iraq

Dawn ^ | 23 February 2002 | Paul Michaud

[Sawdring]

PARIS: In Paris to promote his book of memoirs, Former Russian Prime Minister Evgueni Primakov has lost no time in sending out a warning to the United States that, in his estimation - and in the particular context of Russian and Central Asian history - it would be a "major error" on the part of America to attack Iraq.

He notes, if ever the United States decides to makes use of its bases in Afghanistan as a stepping stone to Iraq, and an eventual attack on that country, that would be, in his estimation, "a major error on America's part, for the United States would lose immediately all of the support it won with its operations in Afghanistan."

"My country (Russia) would certainly find it difficult maintaining a neutral position because our present philosophy would call for a change of position."

Having conferred with French authorities on the present situation in Central Asia, Primakov also stressed that it was his understanding that France too would be forced to make an important change in its position if ever the US continued to send war signals towards Iraq. Moreover, he notes, "a strike on Iraq would also result in the taking of a unified stance against the West on the part of the Arab and Islamic world, and would provoke a clash of civilisations, between Islam and the West. And right now there is nothing worse (for the future of the world) that could happen."

As for the conflict in the Middle East, Primakov notes that a large part of the blame for the present impasse is America's having "established a monopoly over mediation in the war, a monopoly that inexorably results in a perpetual blockage."

What is needed, he notes, are more joint efforts, "perhaps even with the assistance of the United States, and why not Russia, the European Union, United Nations, and Egypt?" Especially, he notes, "as Sharon's policies are getting nowhere. Sharon's efforts are aimed at blocking the creation of a Palestinian state. But, without the existence of a Palestinian state, there can never be any real security, for the Israelis as well as for the Palestinians."

[Mariner]

I see so many warnings from this country or that.

Noticably missing are the statements of action to be taken if we don't heed those warnings.

Wasted breath by France, China russia etc. It basically adds up to: "We think it's a bad idea for you to attack Iraq" and "Somebody, somewhere, somehow is going to do something about it"

Laughable in their collective weakness.

[traditionalist]

Moreover, he notes, "a strike on Iraq would also result in the taking of a unified stance against the West on the part of the Arab and Islamic world, and would provoke a clash of civilisations, between Islam and the West..."

Which is exactly what the necons want.

[wimpycat]

So, what does a "change in position" constitute? Hmmm? They're not going to support the Iraqis. The most they'd do is remain "neutral". Big whoop. Spoken like a true former superpower.

[Principled]

"a strike on Iraq would also result in the taking of a unified stance against the West on the part of the Arab and Islamic world, and would provoke a clash of civilisations, between Islam and the West.

But how can this be? Since there is only a minute fraction of Muslims that support terror, why does author maintain that there will be such trouble?

[Sawdring]

If the US attacks its advesaries left and right without a UN Security Council vote, over time resentment will build and in five or ten years the world will look at the US as a pariah. If the US has no allies in the future, then it will become weak as coalitions are built to reduce America's power.

[uncbob]

If the US has no allies in the future, then it will become weak as coalitions are built to reduce America's power.

Yeah right The Arab states all hate each other and Europe are a bunch of weak willed socialistic dweebs whose population has been emasculated . If it wasn't for the USA Atomic Umbrella they would have been kissing the Russian Bear's ASS long ago

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

If the US has no allies in the future, then it will become weak as coalitions are built to reduce America's power.

well america will also become weak if iraqi made nuclear weapons in the hands of radical muslims blow up major cities throughout the country i will take my chances being a pariah

[Sawdring]

What if the net result is the same?

[Mariner]

The world sees us as a pariah now. That it will be so in the future is a given.

We are the envy of the world and most, if not all would like to see us fall......if not be completely destroyed. This includes our "allies" in Europe.

Nothing we do in support of our economic and security interests will alter this fact.

I believe our best course is to get about looking after those interest in the full knowledge we are now, and will be in the future, going it alone.

To preempt the ability of our rivals to destroy us is the most critical and important activity this nation could undertake. To wait is suicide.

[Sawdring]

To preempt the ability of our rivals to destroy us is the most critical and important activity this nation could undertake.

I agree but one day the US won't be faced with just terrorists taking over planes but countries with thousands of nuclear weapons pointed in her direction. Can the US win another Cold War without strong allies?

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

i dont think we would be weakened by unilaterally attacking iraq and i doubt it will be unilateral but if it is so be it our allies are not going to form coalitions against us they would be to vulnerable these countries cannot even run a peacekeeping mission in the balkans without us they may piss and moan but they will eventually side with the winner like they always do

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

I agree but one day the US won't be faced with just terrorists taking over planes but countries with thousands of nuclear weapons pointed in her direction. Can the US win another Cold War without strong allies

the missles wont be pointed at us they will be smuggled in by boat or plane and we will know nothing about it until it is too late and you should be asking can our allies win another cold war without us

[Sawdring]

I'm not saying that a unilateral attack on Iraq will end our cooperation in NATO or SEATO but it would be another war US enemies can point to to prove the US is going for total global hegemony. Over time these action will add up and if history is any judge it will get more difficult for the US as it expends its treasure and blood over the entire globe..

I understand that the sanction regime hasn't nor will it work in Iraq, but is there another way to go about deposing Saddam and shutting down Iraq's WMD production?

[Sawdring]

Nuclear weapons will be both smuggled and pointed at the US with the help of Russia and China if they feel threatened by US actions.

[Sawdring]

you should be asking can our allies win another cold war without us

No, this isn't Capitalism Vs. Communism anymore, or if it is the US isn't fighting it anymore. Europe isn't in danger of a Russian armored advance through its territory and has the capability to seriously harm any opponent with France and Britain's combined nuclear arsenals and if the EU decides to veer away from the US and play a neutral role, it won't need US protection because it won't be a target.

[medusa]

Spoken like a true former superpower

Um, if you haven't noticed, that is the fate of all superpowers. Do you ever wonder why?

[medusa]

Yeah right The Arab states all hate each other and Europe are a bunch of weak willed socialistic dweebs whose population has been emasculated .

A discussion with this fellow is impossible; abstract thought is beyond his grasp.

[Grampa Dave]

Typical USSR/Russian: Bravo Sierra:

These worthless toothless and whining Ruskies are members of the Axis of Weasels, the Euro Trash plus the has been Ruskies!

[uncbob]

Nuclear weapons will be both smuggled and pointed at the US with the help of Russia and China if they feel threatened by US actions.

Me thinks Russia gonna be more worried about the Chinese hordes on its borders and China gonna help nuke its biggest customer. Get real