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| Kerry calls for UN, Nato mission in Iraq |
| 2004-04-18 |
| Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Saturday called for a new mission authorised by the United Nations to help rebuild Iraq, with a NATO security force under US command keeping order. Kerry said President George W Bush had failed to lay out a strategy for winning the peace in Iraq and said US troops in Iraq âare paying the price for a flawed policy.â âThe president may not want to admit mistakes, but his choices in Iraq have so far produced a tragedy of errors,â Kerry said in the weekly Democratic radio address. âStaying the course does not mean stubbornly holding to the wrong course.â Kerry touted a four-step plan for peace in Iraq that included more US troops combined with a UN mission to help rebuild Iraq and restore a democratic government. He also called for a NATO security force under an American commander to transform the military force in Iraq. Kerry called on President George W Bush to get rid of the âMade in Americaâ tag on the US-led occupation of Iraq in a new campaign attack. Kerry said Bush and other US leaders had to be âhonest with the American people about the difficulties we face in Iraqâ and more troops must be sent to secure Iraq. âRemoving that âMade In Americaâ label can send a message to Iraqi military and police that itâs time to do their jobs â not because America is telling them to, but because the world stands ready to help them secure a stable Iraq,â Kerry said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #10 but my gut feeling tells me it's gonna be bad news in November After the last couple of weeks I agree with you. The Middle East will go to ratshit and the West will retreat to the Israeli option. Fences, walls, and constant vigilance. It will not be a good two or three years but it will force us to solve the ME oil depedance problem. Once we do it will be a horribly bad long term for the Arabs/muslims. |
| Posted by: Phil B 2004-04-18 9:11:14 PM |
| #9 Rafael, I really wouldn't worry--most people back President Bush and Skerry really is the *worst* candidate. This thing about involving the UN and NATO is Bullshit and Lurch knows it. The NATO part would be screwed by the Weasel Axis problem and the whole "Who are we?" EU members identity crisis. It's like "Shimmer," the floor wax and the dessert topping; are we NATO? Are we EU? We're both and neither and maybe. As for the UN, not only did French perfidy ensure that there would be a war because they wouldn't endorse the last resolution, but between the bombing of the UN HQ in Baghdad after which they turned tail and ran and their complete rape of Iraq via the Oil-for-Palaces program, the Iraqs don't wanna see the UN either. Skerry's trying to apply the "Afghanistan solution" to the problem when it's really far, far too late for that. Furthermore, the United States has now expended much blood and treasure for the right to determine Iraq's future and any candidate for President should never, ever forget that! |
| Posted by: Jen 2004-04-18 9:02:44 PM |
| #8 Bush did involve the UN, But he didn't get the resolution he was vying for. Man...I wish I shared your optimism, but my gut feeling tells me it's gonna be bad news in November. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-04-18 8:52:57 PM |
| #7 And another thing - what's the point of saying we should "involve the UN" other than flapping his gums? Coffee just said that Iraq is too dangerous for the UN. The only thing those wankers are good at is stealing, lying, and supporting dictators and genocide. Oh, yeah - and running their mouths. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-04-18 6:43:36 PM |
| #6 If Kerry has any chance of winning in November, this may have tipped the balance in his favour. He just got the vote from people who didn't support the war, but would have if the UN or NATO was involved. Exactly... Oh wait... Bush did involve the UN, but they dithered and debated, and ultimately nothing would have changed. Raffie, I hope Kerry and his socialist advisors go in to the general election on this platform: Kerry will work with the UN and not against it. Makes the 'attack machine' much easier to generate targets. 2004 is gonna be soo much for for Dubya. |
| Posted by: badanov 2004-04-18 6:18:31 PM |
| #5 If Kerry has any chance of winning in November, this may have tipped the balance in his favour. He just got the vote from people who didn't support the war, but would have if the UN or NATO was involved. Not only that, if the deal with the UN or NATO doesn't work, then Kerry will be forced to pull EVERYTHING out of Iraq. And on the odd chance that this happens, he just got the vote from the peaceniks and other loons. If Kerry continues with this strategy, it will be the end of the road for Bush. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2004-04-18 4:26:17 PM |
| #4 First and foremost Kerry has stated he is an Internationalist. His concerns are what the world thinks about the USA. Thought he states he wouldn't allow the world to dictate to our strategic defense needs, he nevertheless will have a bias to consent before action. When he speaks of no caoaliton in Iraq he really means the French, Germans, Russians and Chinese don't support the war. This bothers Msieur Kerry greatly. The average American doesn't give a hoot what the world thinks of our foreign policy. What they do see is a policy which first and foremost which acts in our Natioanl defense. The choice is clearer everyday. Defense by world opinion or defense by what is in the best interests of the US. This election will be a referndum on that issue in November. |
| Posted by: Bill Nelson 2004-04-18 2:58:50 PM |
| #3 The UN has proven time and time again that they couldn't smack their collective asses with a bass fiddle in a room full of mirrors. Don't expect many troops coming home before or after Bush wins the 2004 elections! |
| Posted by: Jack Deth 2004-04-18 2:16:26 PM |
| #2 Yah, I just read about that incident... and I'm the bad kinda speechless. I do not want to hear any suggestions that we need to 'go along' with guys like those backstabbing policemen. |
| Posted by: Phil Fraering 2004-04-18 12:33:47 PM |
| #1 Oh, yeah, like that'll take care of it. It'll be real peaceful then, just like it is in Kosovo now. Won't have Muslim policemen shooting Americans at a prison or anything. Oh, wait.... My bad. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2004-04-18 11:58:43 AM |