Defiant Iraq spurns French 'alternative'

The Sunday Telegraph ^ | February 16, 2003 | David Chater and David Wastell

[MadIvan]

Iraq's foreign minister, Naji Sabri, has rebuffed the controversial plan drawn up by France and Germany last week aimed at avoiding military action in the Gulf.

The peace proposal, which argued that extra time and resources should be given to the United Nations weapons inspectors, also called for the deployment of 1,000 armed UN peacekeeping troops.

While the plan was welcomed by Russia and deepened divisions within the UN Security Council, Mr Sabri flatly rejected any suggestion that blue-helmeted peacekeepers could operate in Iraq. "No Iraqi would accept the deployment of such a force," he told the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat.

While he did not doubt the desire of some international parties to "face up to the logic of war and aggression", Mr Sabri claimed that any peace initiative that did not have Washington's backing was bound to fail.

Yesterday a leading Iraqi newspaper, the government-owned al-Jumhouriya, put a positive spin on the report given to the Security Council by the UN weapons inspectors, claiming that it had left the United States and Britain more isolated than ever in their efforts to sanction the use of force against Iraq.

On Friday Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei told the UN that they had discovered no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq but accused Iraq of making omissions in its arms declaration.

As 3,000 Iraqis took part in a protest against the war in Baghdad, the inspectors visited nine sites, including a Baghdad facility that produces rocket parts, as their hunt for chemical, biological or nuclear weapons continued. An IAEA team also carried out an aerial survey of the Iraqi capital.

Iraq's readiness to comply with UN resolutions will be tested this week when Mr Blix orders Baghdad to destroy Iraq's al-Samoud missile system and 380 newly-imported engines.

Al-Samoud missiles can exceed the 150-kilometre limit set by the UN. Without them, the Iraqi army's ability to resist any invasion force would be severely handicapped.

In a separate development, Nato ambassadors are expected to meet today in an effort to find common ground on planned military support for Turkey against possible attack by Iraq. Mr Blix's report did little to break the damaging deadlock on the issue and talks scheduled for yesterday were postponed to give more time for informal discussions.

Lord Robertson, Nato's Secretary General, is now expected to bypass the alliance's North Atlantic Council, at which all 19 members are represented, and convene a meeting of its Military Policy Committee, from which France is excluded because of its unique arm's-length relationship with Nato's military structures.

France, Germany and Belgium have blocked Nato's plans to send Awacs surveillance aircraft, Patriot missile batteries and specialist equipment to protect Turkey against chemical, biological and nuclear attack. They argue that this would wrongly signal that war with Iraq was inevitable. The row over the Turkish request has further poisoned relations between Paris, Berlin and Washington.

While diplomats said that there was now no prospect of ending French opposition to military support from Nato for Turkey's defences, they believe that Germany and Belgium, which have so far backed France, may be wavering.

The countries have faced fierce criticism from Nato's 16 other members and have also come under fire from the seven nations recently invited to join the alliance, who accuse them of a "breach of faith" for refusing to grant Turkey's request for help.

"If Germany can be won over," said a senior Nato diplomat, "it's unlikely that Belgium will want to be isolated as the only one of 18 full military members holding out against aid to Turkey."

In the meantime, Bulgaria has vowed to resist French attempts to bully it into withdrawing support for America's plans to disarm Iraq. Last week the French ambassador to Sofia warned Bulgaria that its pro-American stance could jeopardise its efforts to join the European Union.

"Bulgaria has to consider carefully where its long-term interests lie," Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge said last week. "When people live in Europe they should express solidarity and think European-style."

Solomon Pasi, Bulgaria's foreign minister, condemned the French as neo-appeasers. "We all remember the hesitancy of the Allies, who weren't sure whether to attack Hitler. They could have prevented so much," he said.

"We're in a situation where we have a moral imperative to act and act now."

[MadIvan]

Well done to the Bulgarians. Now what, Weasels, just put some ice on it?

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Miss Marple]

This is getting interesting. Who would have thought we would be cheering Bulgaria? Ha!

[Imperialist]

repeat often:

"We're in a situation where we have a moral imperative to act and act now."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Solomon Pasi, Bulgaria's foreign minister, condemned the French as neo-appeasers. "We all remember the hesitancy of the Allies, who weren't sure whether to attack Hitler. They could have prevented so much," he said.

"We're in a situation where we have a moral imperative to act and act now."

Way to go Bulgaria!

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[OldFriend]

American media chose to ignore the fact that the plan was rejected by Iraq. Didn't fit their agenda.

[MadIvan]

Well the Telegraph didn't ignore it, spread the word. The French plan isn't going to work.

Regards, Ivan

[unspun]

Another thank you, to Ivan!

Weapons from France and Germany...
-- worth many millions of dollars to Iraq.

Oil agreement with Iraq...
-- worth billions of dollars to France.

Refusal of even Iraq to back the cockamamie disarmament plan from France and Germany...
-- PRICELESS

[Boss_Jim_Gettys]

"The French plan isn't going to work."

Well, I guess there's a first time for everything! ;)

[First_Salute]

Most accidentally shoot themselves in the foot; while the Iraq dictatorship continues to take careful aim.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Wow, Hussein really is stupid. Makes it all the more easier for us.

[Loyalist]

Bulgaria remembers what it's like to live under the heel of both Communist and Islamic tyranny.

[RS]

Since their surrender to Iraq, Saddam has decided to go into exile and accept the position as the new president of France.

[Mr. Silverback]

"No Iraqi would accept the deployment of such a force," he told the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat.

Don't you worry, you'll be "not accepting" the deployment of an entirely different force sometime around the first week of March.

[Damocles]

"When people live in Europe they should express solidarity and think European-style."

This line jumped out from the Bulgarian French ambassador. European or not, people should think in the interests of their own country and not a collective.

[Mr. Silverback]

Next counter-protest I go to, I'm going to ask people, "So, you support Iraqi blood for French oil?" and watch smoke come out their ears as they blow a few circuits.

[areafiftyone]

Saddam is rebuffing the Frenchies and Germans, he doesn't want those missles destroyed and the weasles are still pushing for no war.

FRANCE AND GERMANY LEARNING WORLD POLITICS

[Rome2000]

"No Iraqi would accept the deployment of such a force,"

Islamic logic at its best.

Better to die than cave to the infidel.

The sidewalks of lower Manahttan still reverberate with the sound of the innocent Americans who jumped 90 stories to their deaths.

To all of those nattering nabobs who say why Iraq and not North Korea, I say just wait and see what happens.

Can't make up for all of the damage BILLARY! did in eight years to the military in a few months, but things are about to get straightened out.

[blam]

"Last week the French ambassador to Sofia warned Bulgaria that its pro-American stance could jeopardise its efforts to join the European Union.

"Bulgaria has to consider carefully where its long-term interests lie," Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge said last week. "When people live in Europe they should express solidarity and think European-style."

The Bulgarians should tell the French to take the EU and shove it!

[McGavin999]

Solomon Pasi, Bulgaria's foreign minister, condemned the French as neo-appeasers. "We all remember the hesitancy of the Allies, who weren't sure whether to attack Hitler. They could have prevented so much," he said.

"We're in a situation where we have a moral imperative to act and act now."

BRAVO Bulgaria!

[Steven W.]

Now Sadaam is in trouble. He just bent over, pulled down his trousers, spread his cheeks and watched France kiss his a$$. Now he turns around and demands they pucker up and swallow (please excuse my French). Why that's enough to outrage even the most pacifist Frenchman. If Sadaam doesn't watch out they may insist that the word "very" preceeds "disappointed" in their proposed language for the 18th UN resolution.

[unspun]

Here's to you:
Republic of Bulgaria

[Rain-maker]

Not so stupid if you are producing and hiding WMD's all over the place. Inviting 1000 blue helmets in is as good as a breach.

Saddam wants to stall for time, not surrender to the UN....LOL

[tomahawk]

Not to worry. France surrenders.

[neutrino]

Iraq's foreign minister, Naji Sabri, has rebuffed the controversial plan drawn up by France and Germany last week aimed at avoiding military action in the Gulf.

Shrug. Why shouldn't he? Why should Iraq pay France and Germany for their squandered virtue when they gave it to him freely?

[RS]

"Bulgaria has to consider carefully where its long-term interests lie," Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge said last week.

I cannot agree with him more !

[prairiebreeze]

*In the meantime, Bulgaria has vowed to resist French attempts to bully it into withdrawing support for America's plans to disarm Iraq*

Tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine Bulgaria!

*"Bulgaria has to consider carefully where its long-term interests lie," Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge said last week*

Who's this clown, Chirac's "Enforcer"???

This is getting really really REALLY weird.

[whadizit]

You go, Bulgaria!! You tell 'em! We are proud of you, but, forget about European collectivism. It is not good for you.

[Teacher317]

Where do we send messages of support to Bulgaria???

Heck, let's just start a new strategic alliance to replace NATO... we'll start with the US, UK, and Bulgaria and work from there.

[concerned about politics]

claiming that it had left the United States and Britain more isolated than ever in their efforts to sanction the use of force against Iraq.

Are the U.S. Democrats giving Saddam his talking points? It's getting hard to tell whether the article is about Iraq or the anti-American Democrat socialist party.

[unspun]

How titanically embarrassing to France and Germany...

OH... MY....

(Iraq): We'd rather have an honest invasion that to have you characters wondering around in your UN helmets....

[justshe]

Well, well, well! Isn't THIS an interesting development? Bulgaria should tell France where they can stuff their brie.

I, personally, would tell them they can escargot to Hades.

[unspun]

wondering = wandering (and wondering)

[a_Turk]

Ivan, why is it that the Germans and French are in a position of leadership in Europe apparently superceding the UK?

[TigerLikesRooster]

Re #1

Even Iraqi regime has a low regard for France.

[Madcelt]

Ping! Congradulations today folks. Foxnews mentioned ya.(hee hee)

[alloysteel]

I was curious as to how well the Iraqi regime would accept the Franco-German "plan". I see some most profound flaws immediately - Just how are the UN "Peacekeeper" forces to be inserted into Iraq? And what countries will be contributing the manpower? Greeks, maybe? Certainly not the French, as they only propose, others dispose. The UN "Peacekeepers" would serve primarily as target practice for clandestine snipers for the Iraqi Republican Guard.

There is really only one answer for this cancer, it must be excised completely. The Saddam Hussein regime must be extirpated, eradicated, and destroyed root, branch, stem, flower, seed and down to the leaf-buds.

[Libertina]

Bulgaria BUMP! They told the French to stuff it!
France, Germany and Belgium have blocked Nato's plans to send Awacs surveillance aircraft, Patriot missile batteries and specialist equipment to protect Turkey against chemical, biological and nuclear attack. They argue that this would wrongly signal that war with Iraq was inevitable.
Heaven forbid that Turkey prepare to protect herself!
As the sign I saw today says:
FREE Iraq... Bomb France! :)

[unspun]

Where do we send messages of support to Bulgaria???

Email the Bulgarian Embassy in Wa.D.C.
Bulgarian Embassy Site

The Republic of Bulgaria, Council of Ministers

Office of Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha
The Prime Minister's Email Address

Solomon Passy, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Email c/o Director of IPR Directorate: Eleonora Dimitrova tel. (+359 2) 737 997, 7143 2463; fax (+359 2) 703 041

If the links all don't work, please work around.

[RummyChick]

I will be quite shocked if Saddam lets those weapons be destroyed.

[Lady In Blue]

ping!

[unspun]

Pardon the error:

Solomon Passy, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Email c/o Director of IPR Directorate: Eleonora Dimitrova
tel. (+359 2) 737 997, 7143 2463
fax (+359 2) 703 041

[unspun]

The UN "Peacekeepers" would serve primarily as target practice for clandestine snipers for the Iraqi Republican Guard.

But UN Peace Keeping worked so well in Lebanon back in 1983...

...not.

[okie01]

"Bulgaria has to consider carefully where its long-term interests lie," Jean Loup Kuhn-Delforge said last week. "When people live in Europe they should express solidarity and think European-style."

Arrogance. And thuggery. Mixed with a dash of totalitarianism.

Solomon Pasi, Bulgaria's foreign minister, condemned the French as neo-appeasers. "We all remember the hesitancy of the Allies, who weren't sure whether to attack Hitler. They could have prevented so much," he said.

"We're in a situation where we have a moral imperative to act and act now."

VIVE LA BULGARIE

[gatorgriz]

Just think of it... The Bulgarians telling those self anointed, arrogant, condescending, cowards, aka the frogs, to stuff it where the sun doesn't shine... Amazing! I say we move all of our military bases further east, where the folks appreciate the value of human dignity and freedom, and away from those ungrateful ingrates whose nose reaches about 6 inches above their foreheads... Damn how I despise the frogs and their brown nosing friends.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Got another thread working on the new United Nations:

The NEW UNITED NATIONS

[Steel Wolf]

Solomon Pasi, Bulgaria's foreign minister, condemned the French as neo-appeasers. "We all remember the hesitancy of the Allies, who weren't sure whether to attack Hitler. They could have prevented so much," he said.

HO HO HO, Axis of Weasels. It seems that your history is not forgotton by all. Eastern Europe suffered greatly while the sophisticated West Europeans tried vainly to ignore the maniac in the room.

The French and the Germans just don't have the track record or the moral authority to make the call on this one.

[okie01]

"why is it that the Germans and French are in a position of leadership in Europe apparently superceding the UK?"

Pending Ivan's more informed response...like the Turks, Britain has always been independent of Europe. The Commonwealth and Europe have been two decidedly separate spheres of influence. Prior to WW II, Britain's foreign policy was strictly concerned with the balance of power on the continent, not with any leadership goal. Subsequent to WW II, Britain's involvement in Europe has been limited to NATO. They were never a member of the Common Market, which was the forerunner of the EU.

It would be correct to say that Britain has formed alliances and relationships on the continent, but she has never led Europe nor endeavored to do so.

At this point, you might say Europe is stuck with France and Germany. And recent developments go a long toward revealing why that might not be a good thing.

This whole affair should be giving the British -- as well as the Italians, the Spaniards, the Poles, et al -- strong second thoughts about the wisdom of the EU.

[ancient_geezer]

Mr Sabri flatly rejected any suggestion that blue-helmeted peacekeepers could operate in Iraq. "No Iraqi would accept the deployment of such a force,"

Iraq's readiness to comply with UN resolutions will be tested this week when Mr Blix orders Baghdad to destroy Iraq's al-Samoud missile system and 380 newly-imported engines.

Oh dear, Aziz: Destroying missles would be 'unacceptable'.

It would seem as though the French & Germans a bit of a problem in supporting their position as anything other than obstruction and appeasement.

Looks like it is about time for the UN building to be auctioned off on ebay. Get your bids in early, strike while the iron's are hot.

[Lady In Blue]

Just e-mailed my appreciation to the Bulgarians to one of the links you provided. Thanks.