Article

2004-04-19 Europe

Prodi backs Spanish decision to quit Iraq

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Posted by RWV 2004-04-19 3:30:16 PM|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Just as a thought experiment, imagine how people like Prodi would react if the holy United Nations did "take charge" in Iraq, but (and I realize I'm deep into Fantasyland here) decided that bringing individual freedom to Iraq was critical, and that bringing freedom to Iraq required a massive commitment of European troops. Kofi gets on TV and announces that to prevent another Rwanda and to defeat terrorism everywhere, the Security Council is requiring 50,000 troops from Spain, 50,000 troops from Italy, etc., to be immediately deployed to Iraq. I wonder how long Prodi's love of the UN would survive that announcement.

The point being that, as Prodi uses the term, "UN" is a synonym for "not fighting."

Posted by Matt 2004-04-19 6:09:59 PM|| 2004-04-19 6:09:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 Better yet, Matt: if Kofi asked for 50,000 troops from Italy, the answer would be, "we can't even if we wanted to." They don't have 50,000 first-line troops to send. Ditto the Spanish, ditto the French, even the Germans. They don't have them. Add up the total commitment of the European partners in the Coalition and it doesn't hit 50,000.

You set the bar too high. For your thought experiment, make it 10,000 troops instead -- the answer's still the same :-)

Posted by Steve White 2004-04-19 6:43:22 PM|| 2004-04-19 6:43:22 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Good point, which raises the question of what we could possibly get from Kerry's "internationalism" effort in terms of soldiers willing to go in harm's way (leaving aside the UK/AUS.) A brigade? The French Foreign Legion? The Papal Guard?

Posted by Matt 2004-04-19 7:24:29 PM|| 2004-04-19 7:24:29 PM|| Front Page Top

#4 I wouldn't turn down the Papal Guard. It might make the diplomacy a bit tough, though.

Posted by Robert Crawford 2004-04-19 7:55:28 PM|| [http://www.kloognome.com/] 2004-04-19 7:55:28 PM|| Front Page Top

Prodi backs Spanish decision to quit Iraq

Of course he does; it's so nuanced.

Wanker.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2004-04-19 8:44:08 PM|| 2004-04-19 8:44:08 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 "If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquillity of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our [allies]." Samuel Adams

(Brackets indicate slight alteration from the original)

Posted by Barbara Skolaut 2004-04-19 8:48:31 PM|| 2004-04-19 8:48:31 PM|| Front Page Top

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