Last, Last Chance?

efreedomnews ^ | 17 February 2003 | Jonathan Rhodes

[efnwriter]

efreedomnews         WAR ON TERRORISM - AN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE

Last, Last Chance?
Jonathan Rhodes
17 February 2003

Following worldwide "peace" demonstrations - actually anti-American demonstrations orchestrated by the socialist Worker's World Party, the diplomatic picture has changed toward Iraq. Despite the demonstrations, the change is toward support for the military option.

NATO, the EU, even obstructionist France and militant pacifist Germany have started to look for ways out of the non-action corner they have painted themselves into. This can only mean that war is coming sooner rather than later - unless Saddam and his regime are miraculously removed from power.

• NATO has approved defensive assistance for Turkey after France successfully blocked that NATO responsibility for a month.
• The European Union today stated that Iraq is "responsible for the consequences if it continues to flout the will of the international community."
• UN Secretary General Kofi Annan clearly told Iraq it has to comply or face "conflict" and started laying the groundwork to remove the inspectors from Iraq.
• Mohamed Baradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency said yesterday that the onus was on Iraq to prove it had nothing to hide.

When the UN passed UNSC Resolution 1441 on November 8, 2002, it said:

Determined to secure full compliance with its decisions,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Decides that Iraq has been and remains in material breach of its obligations under relevant resolutions ... in particular through Iraq's failure to cooperate with United Nations inspectors and the IAEA, and to complete the actions required under paragraphs 8 to 13 of resolution 687 (1991);

Decides, while acknowledging paragraph 1 above, to afford Iraq, by this resolution, a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations.

Today, three months later, the European Union meeting in an "emergency session" in Brussels, released a "Declaration on Iraq" that includes the following:

War is not inevitable. Force should be used only as a last resort. It is for the Iraqi regime to end this crisis by complying with the demands of the Security Council.

However, inspections cannot continue indefinitely in the absence of full Iraqi cooperation.

Baghdad should have no illusions: it must disarm and cooperate immediately and fully. Iraq has a final opportunity to resolve the crisis peacefully.

The Iraqi regime alone will be responsible for the consequences if it continues to flout the will of the international community and does not take this last chance.

Baghdad should have no illusions: it must disarm and cooperate immediately and fully. Iraq has a final opportunity to resolve the crisis peacefully.

The Iraqi regime alone will be responsible for the consequences if it continues to flout the will of the international community and does not take this last chance.

At that emergency EU meeting in Brussels, Kofi Annan said:

"If they were to continue their defiance ... the members of the (U.N.) Security Council will have to make a grim choice: whether to declare material breach and the serious consequences that may follow. ... "I urge the Iraqi leadership to choose compliance over conflict." "It is important that we focus on that first and avoid turning on each other," he said. "We want to keep the focus on Iraq and on this obligation to disarm ... proactively and immediately."

"I believe inspectors should continue their work, but if there is no cooperation then the council will see that the operation has become meaningless and that inspections could end."

Mohamed El-Baradei said yesterday:

"It is clear that the Security Council would like to give the inspections more time," Mr. El-Baradei said. "Having said that, Iraq should not get the wrong message. The Security Council is still very impatient, the Security Council believes that Iraq still is not co-operating the way it should co-operate."

 "Everybody is of the view that force might not be excluded as a last resort, and everybody is also saying that Iraq has a limited time to comply."

Meanwhile, in Brussels today French President Jacque Chirac insulted eastern European nations saying:

"It is not really responsible behavior," he told a news conference. "It is not well brought-up behavior. They missed a good opportunity to keep quiet."

He then went on to threaten those nations waiting to join the EU.

"When you're in the family you have more rights than when you're knocking on the door," he said. "Romania and Bulgaria were particularly irresponsible to (sign the letter) when their position is really delicate," Chirac said. "If they wanted to diminish their chances of joining Europe they could not have found a better way."

On January 30, 2003 the leaders of Britain, Spain, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Portugal published a letter in The Wall Street Journal in support of President Bush's efforts to remove the Iraqi threat to the world. Following Secretary of State Colin Powell's February 5 presentation to the UN 10 other European nations, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia, all previously under rule by the Soviet Union, published their statement of support for the goal of the international community for full disarmament of Iraq - and joined the "Coalition of the Willing."

Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Cyprus and Malta are set to join the EU in May 2004. Romania and Bulgaria are delayed until 2006 pending further economic development.

Then Chirac said he would oppose any UN Resolution for war against Iraq - but in UN diplomatic-speak it is crucial to understand that he did not say France would veto such a resolution.

"We consider that war is always, the worst solution. That is our position which leads us to conclude that it is not necessary today to have a second resolution, which France could only oppose."
 

Even Pacifist champion Gerhard Schroeder started to soften his anti-US stance in Brussels today, saying military force is not ruled out:

"In the question of Kosovo and in the Balkans and in Enduring Freedom -- the fight against international terrorism -- we have intervened militarily..."This government has never taken the position that cannot be possible as a last resort," he said. "As a principle, history shows we have never ruled that out, nor could we rule it out."

More movement toward the "Coalition of the Willing." As expected, now at the last minute, all the rats are leaving the sinking ship of appeasement.

[efnwriter]

efn PING list. To subscribe/unsubscribe from list send freep email to efnwriter

[Grampa Dave]

Pinging a very good post/article!

[blondee123]

U.N. to Saddam:

November: OK, Saddam this resolution 1441 is your LAST chance!
December: OK, Saddam this is your next LAST chance to comply & cooperate with the inspectors!
January: OK, Saddam, one more LAST chance!
February: Again, Saddam, another LAST chance!!

[Carry_Okie]

"If they wanted to diminish their chances of joining Europe they could not have found a better way."

Cher Jaques, has it occurred to you that the prospect of sitting under Brussles' thumb might have lost somewhat of its appeal to those who just escaped its 50 years of socialism? Might that have something to do with your latest exercise of phallic Gallic panky hanky?

Masticate feces and expire, dirtbag. The only reason you Frogs want diplomacy is that you so cherish your fine art of screwing the rest of the planet into bucking up your sorry asses, usually to face a worse predicament down the road.

If history be your judge, you deserve to be overrun by your Algerian street-sweepers. The only reason we might not abet such an event is that the prospect of an ISLAMIC Frog diplomat portends a misbegotten hybrid even Orwell wouldn't have dared to conceive!

[farmfriend]

Masticate feces and expire, dirtbag.

You do have a way with words.

[Carry_Okie]

Lacking euphony, the stinging epithet brings no remorse.

[ultima ratio]

I suspect one fact that has impressed Europe is Bush's solid political strength here at home. It appears France and Germany have over-reached and set their own plans back considerably. They wanted to dominate a united Europe, but instead of splitting the US off from Europe, they have isolated themselves from the rest of Europe.

[freebilly]

U.N. to Saddam:

November: OK, Saddam this resolution 1441 is your LAST chance!
December: OK, Saddam this is your next LAST chance to comply & cooperate with the inspectors!
January: OK, Saddam, one more LAST chance!
February: Again, Saddam, another LAST chance!!

July, 2015: We're really upset, now, Saddam. This is really your final LAST chance...!

[Exit148]

About "Cher Jaques" LOL!

(I take it, you are not a member of the diplomatic corps!)

[Carry_Okie]

I take it, you are not a member of the diplomatic corps!

Oh would that I were! I could be highly effluential.

[SierraWasp]

All Right, C.O.!!!

In a war of wurds, I wantchew on myside!!!

Yew da MAN!!! (grin)

[Travis McGee]

BTTT!

[CarolAnn]

"February: Again, Saddam, another LAST chance!!"

March 2003, We really mean it this time Saddam!

[f.Christian]

PULLING THE PLUG

"The United Nations is a rectal threshold through which ill-mannered guests egress, but never go home."

"Any guest that treats you as discourteously in your own home deserves to get . . . his -- *** -- kicked (( link )) - - - all the way back to the Third World - and possibly to the Fourth."

*** . . . my addition !

[blondee123]

July, 2015: We're really upset, now, Saddam. This is really your final LAST chance...!

I'd laugh if it wasn't so near to the truth!

[ConservativeConvert]

This has got to be among the most farcical approaches to war in recent history...and still no end in sight. What the hell is going on here? France, Germany, the UN, the space shuttle, duct tape and orange alerts...these are all just sideshows to a main event that seems never to arrive. Are we playing games here or what. In my opinion it is time for Bush to put his money where his mouth is or else call if off altogether (God forbid). If it takes 8-9-10 months (or more) to prepare for war then heaven help us if we ever need to react swiftly. There has been no sense of urgency, no sense of immediacy - nothing but hedging, delaying, and dragging our feet. With international opinion increasingly and overwhelmingly being voiced in opposition to this game, the adminsitration better put up or shut up before the tide turns even more ominously against us. Needless to say, I have NOT been happy with the pace of this ridiculous charade. The ever-present expectation, anticipation and anxiety over the start of this operation is exhausting to sustain. Doesn't anyone else feel this way? I know patience is a virtue but - speaking for myself - it is wearing really thin. What gives?

[efnwriter]

Here's a possible answer: We have not fought against WMD's since WWI. In some circles it is being said that the inspectors and the UN have helped put Saddam in a box where he cannot readilly disperse his WMD because of the inspection process so it is to our tactical advantage to go that route. It also give us time to control the north and south with special ops forces working with indigenous forces (Kurds and Shia) as well as to promote a coup. Certainly the pressure on Saddam is immense and he is less of a threat with that pressure on him. Lastly, the administration has clearly said it wants to have an international coalition not only for the legitimacy of the war but also for the huge task of nation building ahead of us after Saddam falls.

There are tactical issues:
David Hackworth and others have raised: The reality is that our NBC suits and decontamination apparatus has been neglected. New suits have been dispensed but the fact is these suits are made for rear-echelon use, not for active gorund battle. They are not designed to allow the freedom of movement needed by fighting troops, etc. Check out this link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/14/60minutes/main540691.shtml

If this is not disinformation, bringing Jordan and Turkey on line is critical to our battle plan and that has taken quite some time. Turkey is still haggling over economic issues -that are real.

I understand your impatience, but since WWI, coalition warfare has been the rule of the day. Fighting with a coalition is very difficult politically. Read Churchill's writings about WWII for example.
For now, Saddam is in a box and we have not lost American lives. There is no military pressure on the US to launch - just political pressure. In fact, considering the inability of the American public to tolerate casualties, Bush had better make sure all his political and military ducks are in a row before he gives the word.