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| Iraq |
| Powell: Saddam is ’piece of trash’ |
| 2003-07-31 |
| US Secretary of State Colin Powell has called former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein "a piece of trash waiting to be collected" but has declined to say how long it may take US forces to find him. "Saddam Hussein is no longer bad news. He’s a piece of trash waiting to be collected," Powell said in an interview today. "The noose is tightening but I can’t speculate on how close one might be to actually capturing Saddam Hussein." Colin seems to have picked up some of Rummy’s style. Several nations, notably India and France, have said they would need a broader United Nations mandate to send their forces to take part in the occupation of Iraq following the US-led campaign that toppled Saddam from power this spring. India might take a basic UN resolution approving US action, France wants the UN to have total control. Powell said he was considering whether and how a new UN resolution might be crafted but had not made a recommendation to US President George W Bush. He also said he did not believe the United States would need to cede the authorities granted to it under UN Security Council resolution 1483, which confirmed the United States and Britain as occupying powers in Iraq. "At the moment I don’t see a need to cede any of the authorities granted to us under 1483 or other international conventions that guide our actions in Iraq," Powell said, a stance at odds with that of countries like France which want to see a central UN role in Iraq. "So go piss off, I’m busy." |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #5 I think State is actually being consistent on the Husseins. Powell said this on the same day Boucher annouced a lump-sum payment of $30M for the boys... and pointing out that there's still $25M on pops. Put these together, and we have State saying, "Here in my hand is the $25M we'll pay for help collecting this piece of trash." |
| Posted by: Dishman 2003-7-31 9:38:52 PM |
| #4 Powell is a fish out of water, I believe. Piece of trash? I think Powell's forgotten he supposed to be the good cop. I bet he envies Rumsfeld for getting the bad cop role, and being able to say what's on his mind. Powell may be getting tired of sucking up to the UN and pretending he really gives a damn about them. Maybe Rumsfeld should go to State and Powell should go to Defense just to keep our "allies" and enemies on their toes. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2003-7-31 5:11:19 PM |
| #3 "Several nations, notably India and France, have said they would need a broader United Nations mandate to send their forces to take part in the occupation " So? Like we might care? How many countries now have troops in-country? Or is the new definition of unilateral taken as "any endeavor without active Frawnch participation"? |
| Posted by: Hodadenon 2003-7-31 2:50:25 PM |
| #2 Powell is a fish out of water, I believe. He should be a military guy, not a striped-pants guy. IMHO, he has been largely wasted and compromised by his State role, which he's played as he thought he was supposed to play it. SNAFU. |
| Posted by: PD 2003-7-31 1:04:57 PM |
| #1 If you really believe we're screwed in Iraq, we INSIST that the UN take total control; but without our money and troops. |
| Posted by: Hiryu 2003-7-31 12:09:00 PM |