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[UK] Prince Andrew rebukes America over Iraq
International Herald Tribune ^ | February 4, 2008 | Stephen Castle

Posted on 02/04/2008 5:02:14 PM PST by Aristotelian

LONDON: While Prince Andrew declares himself a fan of the United States - and his cellphone ring tone comes from the American TV drama "24" - the man who is fourth in line to the British throne has some critical words for America's Iraq policy and thinks that Washington should have listened to advice from London.

In a rare Buckingham Palace interview ahead of his departure Tuesday for a 10-day U.S. trip to support British business, the prince described the United States as Britain's No. 1 ally but conceded that relations were in a trough. There are, he added, "occasions when people in the U.K. would wish that those in responsible positions in the U.S. might listen and learn from our experiences."

The prince has a full-time role as a trade envoy for Britain but for 22 years he was in the Royal Navy, serving as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands conflict, and Iraq is a preoccupation.

Because of its imperial history, Britain has experienced much of what the United States is going through, Prince Andrew said.

"If you are looking at colonialism, if you are looking at operations on an international scale, if you are looking at understanding each other's culture, understanding how to operate in a military insurgency campaign - we have been through them all," he said. "We've won some, lost some, drawn some. The fact is there is quite a lot of experience over here which is valid and should be listened to."

Prince Andrew's view that post-invasion chaos in Iraq could have been avoided if President George W. Bush's administration had listened more is widely shared in Britain.

(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: princeandrew; royals
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The Prince's interview is the lead story in the online London Daily Telegraph, which said: "The Duke's criticism of Washington represents an extraordinary departure from normal protocol, which determines that members of the Royal Family refrain from public comment on sensitive international and political issues."
1 posted on 02/04/2008 5:02:15 PM PST by Aristotelian
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To: Aristotelian

would it be impolite to say *^%&^$&(*&^ him and the horse he rode in on ???


2 posted on 02/04/2008 5:05:01 PM PST by conservativehusker (GO BIG RED!!!!)
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To: Aristotelian

He’s right. We should have invited the Brits to help us in these operations. They had a lot to offer.

Of course, we did ask them, they did help, and they did bring a lot to the table.

And we appreciate it.

Not sure what Andrew’s point was, though.


3 posted on 02/04/2008 5:05:05 PM PST by marron
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To: Aristotelian

Andrew showing that Charles is not the only simpleton in the monarchy.


4 posted on 02/04/2008 5:05:23 PM PST by golfisnr1 (Democrats are like roaches - hard to get rid of.)
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To: Aristotelian
Too bad, I use to like this Prince. But this statement indicates he has no clue at all about Iraq. Iraq has been the most successful Counter Insurgency mission in history. A story the Western Media will never tell it’s it’s “princes” or it’s paupers
5 posted on 02/04/2008 5:06:15 PM PST by MNJohnnie (Senator McCain, a 10% Conservative, is our enemy no matter what party label he wears)
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To: Aristotelian

I think we rebuked Andrew’s ancestor back in 1776.


6 posted on 02/04/2008 5:06:35 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
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To: Aristotelian

Blow it out your ear limey!


7 posted on 02/04/2008 5:06:37 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Aristotelian
No one cares about you or your privileged lifestyle so please, STFU!
8 posted on 02/04/2008 5:06:52 PM PST by monkeycard (There is no such thing as too much ammo.)
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To: Aristotelian

Who cares what a spotty faced Brit whose only claim to fame is that he was lucky enough to be born into a family which is lucky enough to be supported in style by a bunch of sheeple? His opinion is as relevant as Britney Spears’.


9 posted on 02/04/2008 5:07:25 PM PST by mrsmel
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To: Aristotelian

“I was the glamorous one dressed in a uniform who flew his helicopter and I was there to defend, to be an instrument of Her Majesty’s government whenever and wherever they so chose. And I thought it was frightfully glamorous,” he said.

Uhh...Sounds like a Monty Python skit.


10 posted on 02/04/2008 5:07:46 PM PST by BGHater ("Ron Paul won every debate!" Rudy Giuliani)
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To: Aristotelian
I wish Prince Philip would take some of these brats out to the woodshed and remind them how the real world works. He and the Queen seem to be the only sane ones left.
11 posted on 02/04/2008 5:08:36 PM PST by mnehrling (Glenfiddich/Macallan 08)
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To: marron
The boy they used to call "Randy Andy." If he has any words of wisdom from his adventures, besides how to get girls, I'm sure W would be delighted to hear from him.
12 posted on 02/04/2008 5:09:09 PM PST by hinckley buzzard
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To: Paleo Conservative
"I think we rebuked Andrew’s ancestor back in 1776."

Yep, and then we did it again in 1812.

13 posted on 02/04/2008 5:09:14 PM PST by redhead (VICTORY FIRST, THEN PEACE)
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To: Aristotelian
Because of its imperial history, Britain has experienced much of what the United States is going through, Prince Andrew said

Here is a clue Andrew. The USA has never been an Imperialist nation. Dont shove your guilt on us. How dare you accuse us of all people of colonialism?

14 posted on 02/04/2008 5:09:29 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: redhead

And 1815


15 posted on 02/04/2008 5:09:53 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
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To: Aristotelian

I rather think the Little Prince might be more concerned about the state of London; their “Tea for Terror” is a rousing success!


16 posted on 02/04/2008 5:11:08 PM PST by the invisib1e hand (it's not called the Church Militant for nothing.)
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To: Aristotelian

Isn’t he from the same place that is paying Muslims who have more than one wife? The same place where highly skilled people are leaving from in droves?


17 posted on 02/04/2008 5:11:37 PM PST by driftdiver
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To: redhead

Kicking British tail on lake Erie

18 posted on 02/04/2008 5:13:21 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: BGHater

I wonder if those people burning to death in the towers or pentagon felt glamorous? Don’t mean to be tacky but he raises a good point.

/vomit


19 posted on 02/04/2008 5:13:38 PM PST by driftdiver
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To: MNJohnnie

The Duke of Wellington he ain’t!

What does a colonial empire have to do with Iraq?


20 posted on 02/04/2008 5:14:20 PM PST by Mr Rogers (Hillary/Obama - the enema Republicans need!)
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To: mnehrling
I wish Prince Philip would take some of these brats out to the woodshed and remind them how the real world works.

Prince Andrew is well enough acquainted with the real world - 22 years in the Royal Navy, including being at the sharp end during the Falklands campaign.

21 posted on 02/04/2008 5:16:29 PM PST by Churchillspirit
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To: Aristotelian
"...Because of it's Imperial history..."

I like the Brits, but this asshat doesn't know his history. It's not as if the US is trying to take over some countries for itself, like some OTHER "imperial" powers of the past.

22 posted on 02/04/2008 5:17:01 PM PST by rlmorel (Liberals: If the Truth would help them, they would use it.)
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To: Aristotelian

And Im supposed to take advice from a poofter like him?


23 posted on 02/04/2008 5:17:26 PM PST by Armedanddangerous (Chuin, Master of Sinanju (emeritus))
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To: Aristotelian

Like someone on another thread said.....the BRAINS really did leave Britain about 200+ years ago.....


24 posted on 02/04/2008 5:18:07 PM PST by goodnesswins (Being Challenged Builds Character! Being Coddled Destroys Character!)
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To: golfisnr1

Ive got one word for him....inbreeding


25 posted on 02/04/2008 5:18:35 PM PST by Armedanddangerous (Chuin, Master of Sinanju (emeritus))
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To: Mr Rogers

Are you serious? From Churchill’s Grandson:

‘Meanwhile, I have a confession to make: It was my grandfather, Winston Churchill, who invented Iraq and laid the foundation for much of the modern Middle East. In 1921, as British colonial secretary, Churchill was responsible for creating Jordan and Iraq and for placing the Hashemite rulers, Abdullah and Feisal, on their respective thrones in Amman and Baghdad. Furthermore, he delineated for the first time the political boundaries of Biblical Palestine. Eighty years later, it falls to us to liberate Iraq from the scourge of one of the most ruthless dictators in history. As we stand poised on the brink of war, my grandfather’s experience has lessons for us.’


26 posted on 02/04/2008 5:19:15 PM PST by BGHater ("Ron Paul won every debate!" Rudy Giuliani)
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To: Churchillspirit
..unfortunately, since then, Prince Andrew has played royal Playboy. At least Prince Philip has spent his life getting his hands dirty, so to speak, and actually working.
27 posted on 02/04/2008 5:19:31 PM PST by mnehrling (Glenfiddich/Macallan 08)
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To: Mr Rogers

Excellent point.


28 posted on 02/04/2008 5:19:56 PM PST by MNJohnnie (Senator McCain, a 10% Conservative, is our enemy no matter what party label he wears)
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To: Aristotelian

Yeah, nice job of boundary drawing there, Andrew. We’ve had our fill of the British Experience, thank you very much.


29 posted on 02/04/2008 5:20:12 PM PST by NonValueAdded (What Would Hobson Choose?)
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To: Armedanddangerous
I hereby award Andrew the "Upper Class Twit Of The Year Award"


30 posted on 02/04/2008 5:20:38 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: BGHater
That was then. He was referring to our experience in Iraq which is about as far from Colonialism as it is possible to be. 18 months after the Liberation Iraq elected it own 1st Representative Govt.
31 posted on 02/04/2008 5:21:25 PM PST by MNJohnnie (Senator McCain, a 10% Conservative, is our enemy no matter what party label he wears)
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To: Aristotelian

perhaps the Prince should be turning his sights to Londonistan, and the Muslim “no go” areas in his own country. colonialism - nay, internal security, your RH.


32 posted on 02/04/2008 5:24:17 PM PST by avital2
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To: Aristotelian

“Royal Twit!”


33 posted on 02/04/2008 5:27:57 PM PST by stocksthatgoup (McCain/Hagel'08 - Because they deserve each other.)
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To: marron
"He’s right. We should have invited the Brits to help us in these operations. They had a lot to offer."

Just what the h#ll are you talking about? We gave them the MND SE (Basra AOR) to administer and just look how that turned out! They kept the administration to themselves and marginalized the locals who have a heavy Iranian influence. They chose not to confront the criminal syndicates and Iranians and were subsequently rolled up by the Al Quds, Mahdi and local Shia crime factions. In their aversion to battle and casualties they ended up losing face nearly every step along their way to be finally humiliated by piracy and confined to the airport!

Thank God we did things totally opposite from the Brits. We earned the respect of the Iraqis and now, grudgingly, the Iranians. And when we takeover the MND SE we'll have to clean up the mess they left behind which means stomping the now emboldend and coordinated Iranians, regional syndicates and local mobs and all their organizations in the AOR. It will be similar to the 2 years it took pacifying Anbar, maybe worse.

34 posted on 02/04/2008 5:30:07 PM PST by Justa (Politically Correct is morally wrong.)
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To: Aristotelian

Go get a job you welfare POS and stop living off the British people!!!


35 posted on 02/04/2008 5:30:48 PM PST by blam (Secure the border and enforce the law)
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To: blam

I don’t do royalty, but is the one that the Brits decided not to send to Basra? Or is this the other one?


36 posted on 02/04/2008 5:34:16 PM PST by rbmillerjr
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To: Aristotelian

Your Royal Highness, If you don’t wish to offend USAians, remember they are barbarians, and think that the customs of their tribe are the laws of nature


37 posted on 02/04/2008 5:38:16 PM PST by Oztrich Boy (Never say yer sorry, mister. It's a sign of weakness)
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To: Aristotelian
Who's this with Hill at the bottom of the page that you've linked? Danged if it doesn't look like Monica!

38 posted on 02/04/2008 5:38:44 PM PST by freema (Proud Marine Niece, Daughter, Wife, Friend, Sister, Cousin, Mom and FRiend)
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To: Aristotelian
Oh, what joy! The royal family has deigned to inform us of the proper course. And what possible reason could we have not to immediately follow?

Well, perhaps, the fact that America is not a colonialist power? That we rejected the idea that one's birth has anything to do with one's ability 250+ years ago? That the US has no desire to take the advice of the UK, considering that their colonial empire collapsed spectacularly, causing many of today's problems? That the "knowledge" of the British has managed to make Basra one of the few areas in Iraq not sharing in the reduction of violence, to the point where the Brits have slunk away with their tails between their legs, turning over the security of the region to unprepared Iraqis of questionable loyalty?

Like I said, what reason could we have?

39 posted on 02/04/2008 5:42:10 PM PST by Charles H. (The_r0nin) (Hwæt! Lãr biþ mæst hord, soþlïce!)
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To: BGHater

Andrew my friend, you’ve got more than you can handle in your own country. Correction: You can’t handle what you’ve got.


40 posted on 02/04/2008 5:44:33 PM PST by Sparky7450 (Born on the 4th of July)
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To: Aristotelian

F*ck ‘em. We’re not trying to colonize anyone, Andy.


41 posted on 02/04/2008 5:49:21 PM PST by DesScorp
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To: driftdiver

Prince Andrew doesn’t dare to say why thousands of Britons are leaving the island to relocate in New York City.


42 posted on 02/04/2008 5:51:51 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: mylife

You need to acquaint yourself more closely with your own nation’s history. Pay particular attention to the Spanish American war, and the subsequent colonisation of Puerto Rico and the Phillipines.
And if the earlier westward expansion wasn’t imperialism then I don’t know what is....


43 posted on 02/04/2008 6:08:20 PM PST by thundrey
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To: rlmorel

See above....


44 posted on 02/04/2008 6:09:54 PM PST by thundrey
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To: thundrey
And if the earlier westward expansion wasn’t imperialism then I don’t know what is....

It's not Imperialism if you call it Manifest Destiny instead.

45 posted on 02/04/2008 6:13:26 PM PST by Oztrich Boy (Never say yer sorry, mister. It's a sign of weakness)
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To: Aristotelian

Inbreeding has its downsides.

The House of Windsor is a prime example.


46 posted on 02/04/2008 6:18:45 PM PST by exit82 (How do you handle Hillary? You Huma her.)
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To: mylife

“Blow it out your ear limey!”

Perhaps we should leave the Americans to fight their own wars in future instead of expending British lives and money fighting their wars?
Britain was fighting successful counter-insurgency campaigns in Yemen and Malaya whilst the US was losing in Vietnam. Maybe the British do know what they’re talking about when it comes to this sort of thing hmm?


47 posted on 02/04/2008 6:18:53 PM PST by thundrey
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To: Aristotelian

Go breed with a close relative. Oh wait, that’s been done before, and before, and before, and...


48 posted on 02/04/2008 6:20:20 PM PST by toddlintown (Building More Highways For Children---Huckleberry Talking Point)
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To: thundrey

British imperialism was a good thing.

There is no need to feel guilty about it.

Without it, there would be no United States of America, and places like Hong Kong would still be a deserted island.


49 posted on 02/04/2008 6:22:40 PM PST by Truthsearcher
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To: Aristotelian

Dear Prince Andrew,

You are cautioned to reserve your energy in dealing with the Islamification of Great Britain and welcome to STFU about matters that do not concern you.

Warmly,

A. Grizzled Bear


50 posted on 02/04/2008 6:23:23 PM PST by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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