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Iraq
Don’t snub US, Straw warns
2003-03-05
Britain delivered a blunt warning to France and Germany last night that they will "reap a whirlwind" if they refuse to sign up to a new Anglo-American resolution paving the way for an attack on Iraq.
For starters.
Highlighting Britain's frustration with its fellow European Union members, the foreign secretary, Jack Straw, claimed that Washington would abandon "multilateral" institutions such as the UN and Nato if Europe refuses to fall into line.
Actually, it would be the US and NATO that would have abandoned us.
"What I say to France and Germany and all my other EU colleagues is take care, because just as America helps to define and influence our politics, so what we do in Europe helps to define and influence American politics," Mr Straw told MPs on the Commons foreign affairs select committee. "And we will reap a whirlwind if we push the Americans into a unilateralist position in which they are the centre of this unipolar world."
Kind of puts the whole thing into a nutshell, doesn't it? Historically, we haven't spent all our time puffing and blowing like the tin hat crowd, and a significant part of the world has taken that as a signal to treat us as in international piñata. That fact that we're a mild-mannered bunch doesn't mean we don't have a breaking point, which is just... about... there.
Mr Straw's warning to France and Germany — his toughest since the Iraq crisis erupted — underlined the determination of Britain and the US to prevent Paris from wielding its veto when the new resolution goes to the vote at the UN security council. President Bush is understood to have stepped up the pressure on Jacques Chirac in recent days by warning the French president that he will neither forgive nor forget if France continues to oppose the resolution.
Perhaps, since Bush is a "cowboy", he should be taken at his word. That's an obscure concept for a French president, but he could have somebody research it...
Mr Straw referred to the UN and Nato and said: "It would be very unacceptable if we were to place those institutions at risk." His remarks were echoed by the US secretary of state, Colin Powell, who warned that time was running out. "What we are doing ... is stepping up to the challenge of leadership," he told Channel 4 News. "Either the international community's will has meaning or does not have meaning."
"And if you have no nothing, you'd best get out of the way."
In a clear sign that the criticism of France and Germany has the blessing of Downing Street, Peter Mandelson warned last night that the US would behave "like a sheriff and his posse" sorting out the world's problems if Europe refuses to engage with Washington.
And, in my opinion at least, do a better job of it...
Posted by:Steve White

#9  True German Ally, I'm repeating myself(see comments above) but again I agree you. Excellent posting.
As an aside, I did enjoy my tour of duty in Germany, 1992-1994, Sullivan Barracks, Kaftaul Ward, near Manheim....and I think I screwed up the spelling of the Germany locations, sorry.... :-(
Rifle308
Posted by: Rifle308   2003-03-05 18:26:59  

#8  Some snippets from Resolution 1441

Decides that... the Government of Iraq shall provide to UNMOVIC, the IAEA, and the Council, not later than 30 days from the date of this resolution, a currently accurate, full, and complete declaration of all aspects of its programmes to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles... including any holdings and precise locations of such weapons, components, sub-components, stocks of agents, and related material and equipment...

Has it? NO
         
Decides that false statements or omissions in the declarations submitted by Iraq pursuant to this resolution and failure by Iraq at any time to comply with, and cooperate fully in the implementation of, this resolution shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq’s obligations and will be reported to the Council for assessment in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12 below.

Were they false and had omissions? YES

Decides that Iraq shall provide UNMOVIC and the IAEA immediate, unimpeded, unconditional, and unrestricted access to any and all, including underground, areas, facilities, buildings, equipment, records, and means of transport which they wish to inspect, as well as immediate, unimpeded, unrestricted, and private access to all officials and other persons whom UNMOVIC or the IAEA wish to interview in the mode or location of UNMOVIC’s or the IAEA’s choice pursuant to any aspect of their mandates; further decides that UNMOVIC and the IAEA may at their discretion conduct interviews inside or outside of Iraq, may facilitate the travel of those interviewed and family members outside of Iraq, and that, at the sole discretion of UNMOVIC and the IAEA, such interviews may occur without the presence of observers from the Iraqi Government

Has this happened? NO

I may be German but I do see a material breach when it gets slapped in my face.

What I didn't read in that resolution was that the U.N. would be satisfied with seeing Iraq making "some progress"

Posted by: True German Ally   2003-03-05 15:42:24  

#7  I'd have to object to the "mild-mannered" characterization, there Clark Kent. We tend to mind our own buisness as mush as we are allowed to by the neighbors, but I don't think mild-mannered covers it. Polite, maybe. Restrained.

Doesn't mean we're milquetoasts.
Posted by: mojo   2003-03-05 12:00:37  

#6  Chirac, Schroeder:
Please, please, please, don't fall in line.
Help make the UN completely, not just almost completely irrelevant.
I'm tired of our leaders having to have approval from countries where 75% of the population has no indoor plumbing before they can defend my homeland.
Posted by: grillmaster   2003-03-05 11:48:18  

#5  Cheeze. Is there no end to your demands? Lemme see what I can come up with...
Posted by: Fred   2003-03-05 10:42:29  

#4  Ptah's correct - and there's no preview option on posts, so proofing's difficult...however that doesn't excuse a couple bonehead typos I've done lately ;-)
Posted by: Frank G   2003-03-05 09:58:21  

#3  I don't think there are any options to correct posts from contributors.

What always amazes me is how other countries seem to believe it's okay for them to react to American actions in a way consistent with their own self-interest, and yet bray and scream when Americans react to THEIR ACTIONS in a way consistent with American self-interest.

What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. I respect Jack Straw for recognizing that we've got as much right as anyone else to react to anyone else.
Posted by: Ptah   2003-03-05 09:20:52  

#2  Can't you just correct the original post? If you're worried about being accused of fudging original posts, make a note at the bottom that you made some corrections. I reread that sentence several times before I got to your correction! :-)
Posted by: Anonymous   2003-03-05 08:24:04  

#1  Should have read,

"And if you have no meaning, you'd best get out of the way."
Posted by: Steve White   2003-03-05 00:34:29  

00:00