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Europe
Prodi: US terror 'recipe' not working
2004-03-16
Rome - After the bomb attacks in Madrid, European Commission president Romano Prodi says the US approach to the war on terrorism has been a failure. Prodi, in an interview with Monday's La Stampa newspaper of Turin, argued that success in combating terror requires diplomacy and politics - not just military action.
And we all know just who has to lead the first two.
"These terrible days have shown us that the American recipe wasn't right. On Saturday, it will be a year since the start of the war in Iraq and the terrorist threat is today infinitely more powerful than before," Prodi told the newspaper. "But Europe applies different instruments, suited to help our citizens surrender leave fear behind: using appeasement politics and not just force, which has created further fear."
Anytime you folks want to go your own way, just let us know.
Prodi also told La Stampa that he believed that attitudes in the United States were changing, becoming less set on acting without wide support from other nations. "Europe is not moving closer to the United States, rather it's the Kerrycrats America that is coming closer to us," he said.
Depends on November, but don't count on it.
Prodi also said that the EU is discussing adding a new position: European anti-terrorism commissioner. He argued that the EU needed to show a united front against terrorism, and that incidents like the Madrid attacks "will accelerate the progress toward an integration of foreign policy".
Be sure to name a Belgian as the first anti-terrorism commissioner. Nobody scowls like a Belgian.
Posted by:Steve White

#23  I think we will see that the EU is mistaken if they don't provide the same type of immediate strong response that is charecterized by the lead by the post-9/11 leadership of Bush seen in particular clarity through the actions of Rumsfeld's and Ashcroft's departments.

In the EU Observer, Richard Cartter outlines what is already happening in his article, European markets plunge as terror fears spread, Another attack of the same proportion could cause extreme uncertainty among investors.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-3-16 9:14:31 PM  

#22  Proddy prodi must be having a bit of PMS - and yes, I know he's a man... sort of.

The Taliban are hiding in caves, running back and forth between Afghanistan and Pakland. There are fewer and fewer of them each trip.

Saddam Hussein is now Sadsack Hasbeen, and Iraq has a new constitution and a new outlook on life.

Iraq has proven to be "flypaper", and several thousand splodeydopes have been killed, even larger numbers captured and made (virtually) harmless.

Libya has given up weapons of mass destruction, and told the rest of the "Arab League" to go do impossible things with themselves.

Several billions of dollars in funds that were formerly available for terrorist activity are now frozen, and hundreds of fake "charities" are being examined under a microscope.

Even the United States has finally admitted there can be no "negotiated settlement" between Israel and the "palestinians" (a nonexistent 'people' in a nonexistent 'land'), and has (reluctantly) agreed to support "separation".


Sounds to me like Prodi is viewing the world through a glass bellybutton.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2004-3-16 6:56:15 PM  

#21  Rats, I was even thinking of going to Turino in '06 for the winter olympics.
Posted by: Anonymous2U   2004-3-16 6:09:32 PM  

#20  i would say it is not that the terrorists are more powerful but europe is weaker. time to raise taxes in europe to pay tribute... or push the value of euro up...hell since the euros actually manufacture very little for export it shouldn't hurt their economy too much...
Posted by: Dan   2004-3-16 5:34:31 PM  

#19  "...it will be a year since the start of the war in Iraq and the terrorist threat is today infinitely more powerful than before," Prodi told the newspaper."

Oy... Not given to fits of hyperbole, is he?

Actually I suppose I shouldn't blame him. Terrorists must seem far more powerful when they carry one off on your land.
Posted by: eLarson   2004-3-16 5:25:14 PM  

#18  .com: You're forgetting, that's why Eurocrats aren't elected.
Posted by: someone   2004-3-16 3:21:49 PM  

#17  Hmmmm.

"Clayton Williams was the 1990 Texas GOP gubernatorial candidate. He was leading Democrat Ann Richards in the polls, but then he spoke the words that ultimately cost him the governor's race.

Talking to reporters about the weather, he joked that bad weather is like rape: 'as long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it.' Williams' comments created a major firestorm. Nothing else he said throughout the rest of the campaign mattered.

His attempts to apologize were fruitless. The remark stuck to him like glue and cost him the election to Richards."
[source]

Is this what Prodi is proposing for Eeeewww?

Certainly seems so. If only the Europeans would respond as the Texas voters did...
Posted by: .com   2004-3-16 2:47:19 PM  

#16  This http://sg.news.yahoo.com/040315/1/3irv0.html

quotes Prodi as follows:
"The head of the EU executive arm, European Commission chief Romano Prodi, agreed, in an interview published by Italy's La Stampa newspaper Monday.

"It is clear that using force is not the answer to resolving the conflict with terrorists," Prodi said. "Terrorism is infinitely more powerful than a year ago," and all of Europe now feels threatened, he told the paper. ..."

See, eveybody lie down.....
Posted by: Barry   2004-3-16 2:23:44 PM  

#15  Prodi’s concept of war differs significantly from mine. If we are in a war on terror, why should we be surprised when the terrorists fight back? To convince me that negotiations were the way to go, Prodi would need to convince me that UBL, Arafat and Sadaam were willing to negotiate in good faith. What evidence does Prodi have that this is the case.

Prodi seems to be recommending a policy that is equivalent to letting the US take the point while the U stays out of harms way and makes conciliatory noises and gestures towards the state sponsors of terrorism. Prodi should understand that the complete silence is a vital part of blending into the scenery to avoid a predator.

I may be completely wrong when I imply that Prodi is an abject coward. He can plaster egg on my face by leading the EU in taking the lead with regard to fixing the roadmap to Middle East peace.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-3-16 2:06:14 PM  

#14  Link:Reuters:France Says It Received Threat by Islamist Group

Here's a chance to put diplomacy and politics into action.Obviously,France has not been sensitive enough to Islamic concerns.
Posted by: El Id   2004-3-16 1:14:31 PM  

#13  Prodi, in an interview with Monday's La Stampa newspaper of Turin, argued that success in combating terror requires diplomacy and politics - not just military action.

War is diplomacy; just by other means. Unless by using the phrase "diplomacy and politics" Prodi really means "fellating the enemy".
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-3-16 12:18:35 PM  

#12  "your little ass can be wiped in peace"

Don't forget, Dan, you can only use your left hand.
Posted by: .com   2004-3-16 11:30:18 AM  

#11  ok we are sorry! we will stop! yea they can hit us , just like the 90's, and well we give up! you fucking dumbass! so much for chamberlin's ghost bieng dead! shut up and go pay your tribute to the ragheads so your little as can be wiped in peace!
give me liberty or give me death! still rings true....
Posted by: Dan   2004-3-16 10:54:58 AM  

#10  To this fruit-loop Prodi, Iraq was the only exception, there's no trend of not using diplomacy when working with partner countries in the war on terror. The real reason the WOT has been slowed is their hesitation to help! America has been forward moving, while the Europeans are stepping back.
Posted by: CobraCommander   2004-3-16 10:49:09 AM  

#9  To this fruit-loop Prodi, Iraq was the only exception, there's no trend of not using diplomacy when working with partner countries in the war on terror. The real reason the WOT has been slowed is their hesitation to help! America has been forward moving, while the Europeans are stepping back.
Posted by: CobraCommander   2004-3-16 10:49:09 AM  

#8  What they need is a Minister for Appeasement, so this vital chore isn't split over many departments, each unsure of what the other is doing. They might end up capitulating to rival groups! That would be embarrassing.

Is it my imagination, or does Prodi come perilously close to blaming the US for the attacks?
Posted by: Angie Schultz   2004-3-16 10:25:19 AM  

#7  TGA, that is really funny! Thanks, I needed a laugh.
Posted by: Frank   2004-3-16 9:47:43 AM  

#6  Prodi is absolutely right. What we need is regulation 455a, 566b, 768h, 1235f. Terrorist will have to fill out form 567a (Intent of bombing a train) and form 767 (for casualties 200 plus). Form 678 will be necessary to bomb buildings, additional form 987 will be needed if asbestos is released in the air.
All forms have to be filed with a 5 years notice.

I think this could work.
Posted by: True German Ally   2004-3-16 8:01:24 AM  

#5  He's a bureaucrat. Why should we care what he thinks? Whatcha gonna do about it, fat boy? Write a memo? Call a meeting?
Yawn.
Posted by: B   2004-3-16 8:01:22 AM  

#4  Den Beste has the perfect take on this.
Posted by: someone   2004-3-16 5:15:21 AM  

#3  Prodi also said that the EU is discussing adding a new position: European anti-terrorism commissioner.
Europe also needs the following :
1. European commisionner for forms of irrational though forms.
2. European commisionner for negotiation of surrender terms with Al Qaeda representatives.
3. European commisioner for legitimizing integration of terror with politics.

4. European commisioner for formalizing the practicing of refined forms of bigotry, hypocricy and cowardice as a way of life.

5. European comissioner for spitting your friends and allies in the eye.

6. European commisioner (aka Kadi) for preparing a first draft for the Sharia version to be soon imposed by the non-elected Eurocrats on all European citizens (aka - sheep).

Europe also needs a new Dreifus trial to divert the attention of the masses from the imminent colapse of their socio-political system. (The French are true experts at this)



He argued that the EU needed to show a united front against terrorism

Yes,yes, what he truely means by this is for all European leaders lining up and making a concerted effort to shove their heads in the sand as deep as they can.
Posted by: The Dodo   2004-3-16 4:27:33 AM  

#2  i think the eurocrats should hold a meeting to set up a conference to issue a proclamation to state that any further terrorism in europe will result in the setting up of a multilateral ancillary organization to further study the root causes of the failure of euro minorities to participate in the inter euro day dream of eternal peace and eight weeks of vacation which will result in the issuing of a publication to be presented for further study by member governments
Posted by: SON OF TOLUI   2004-3-16 4:01:00 AM  

#1  Dear Lord, please spare us from an European anti-terrorism commissioner. We may have sinned along this arduous trek in the war on terrorism but we haven't sinned that bad. What sort of united front is this moron talking about? Would those 8 million Spainards holding their hands up in surrender be a part of this united front?
Posted by: Chiner   2004-3-16 3:40:53 AM  

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