Moscow: "We Can't Accept Ultimatums"

Business Week Online ^ | 3/14/03 | Edited by Patricia O'Connell

[Calpernia]

The intense diplomatic battle that has been raging at the U.N. is coming to a close. A vote may be imminent on a proposed British resolution declaring that Saddam Hussein has missed his final chance to comply with U.N. demands to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction unless he meets several final "benchmarks." They include announcing in Arabic on television that Iraq possesses such weapons and allowing dozens of scientists to be interviewed outside of Iraq.

[Calpernia]

>>>the "seriousness" of the consequences if the U.S. acts against Iraq without U.N. approval

They don't want to go on record at the UN about the resolution...but they will use the media to make their own record.

Is that above statement a threat? What are the serious consequences that Russia is warning about?

[The Wizard]

they don't have to accept an ultimatum

[Dirk McQuickly]

but boy can they give 'em

[Mr. Mojo]

we've been saying that we can't accept ultimatums and the automatic use of force

Well, you Russians are just going to have to accept it, because there's not a damn thing you can do about it. We're rolling with or without your insignificant veto, and your illegal oil contracts will then be dust. Deal with it.

[kevao]

If we don't rid the world of rogue regimes with WMD, the Russkies just might get a serious ultimatum one day.

[Mr. Mojo]

What are the serious consequences that Russia is warning about?

Perhaps they'll halt the importation of Stoli.

[RAT Patrol]

It is easy to sound peaceloving when you are not the target. The only way the U.S. will gain peace for itself is through taking out Saddam and other tyrants and terrorist supporters.

Funny how different Russia feels about force when it affects them.

[Mr. Mojo]

If we don't rid the world of rogue regimes with WMD, the Russkies just might get a serious ultimatum one day.

The Moscow threatre incident a few months ago should've been a wake-up call, but it appears the Russians' heads are clearly in the sand. It appears only a mushroom cloud over Moscow (set off by Chechen terrorists) will help clear their thinking.

[finnman69]

The Russians will eat this as well, just like they had to take the ABM withdrawl.

[Post Toasties]

Q: How serious is this crisis for the international community? A: It's serious, no doubt, if the war starts in a situation when it isn't warranted because the real process on the ground in Iraq is progressing. You have only to read statements from leaders of the region to sense what the fallout will be and the very serious consequences [if force is used].

Well, maybe Sergei intended his statement re. serious consequences to be said consequences. Everybody knows by now that, to Russia, Germany and France, 'serious consequences' is code for a verbal expression of disagreement and no more.

[Conspiracy Guy]

My gas station only takes cash or credit card. Big sign says "No Ultimatums".

[Post Toasties]

Btw, need I point out that Russia has been at war with the Chechen rebels for years now with no UN authorization at all?

[SevenDaysInMay]

Accept reality.

[Calpernia]

>>>because there's not a damn thing you can do about it.

This is really what I've been wondering about. Russia has been involved with building up Saddam's Iraq and has broken sanctions doing it.

Hence the veto? Are they trying to keep things hidden like France? Or are they just angry about losing customers? How far will they go to try to stop this?

[Calpernia]

Ping

[mass55th]

"Moscow: "We Can't Accept Ultimatums"

But they believed Hitler when he said he wouldn't invade Russia. What dopes.

[Calpernia]

>>>The only way the U.S. will gain peace for itself is through taking out Saddam and other tyrants and terrorist supporters.

So since Russia has been breaking sanctions and selling arms to Iraq, aren't they a terrorist support?

[mass55th]

"The Moscow threatre incident a few months ago should've been a wake-up call, but it appears the Russians' heads are clearly in the sand."

I just heard yesterday that they're building a big IMAX theater in Moscow. Great! Another place for terrorists to take over!!

[Mr. Mojo]

How far will they go to try to stop this?

The veto is all they really have...which is, as I've said, completely meaningless. If you're concerned about Russia going to war with us about this, don't be. Their conventional forces are weak these days, and they'd never commit suicide by going nuclear.....especially over some two-bit dictator and his oil.

[Calpernia]

Russia is the one that supplied missiles: http://www.iraqwatch.org/search/search_db.asp?sc=supplier&qu=Russia&sm=exact

Is that why Iraq destroyed this missiles?