Article

2003-10-16 International

Axis of Weasels to support Iraq Resolution.

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Posted by Atrus 2003-10-16 9:47:20 AM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 ..the compromise appeared to be part of an effort to send a more united message on the importance of returning sovereignty to Iraq.

Sending a "more united message" is of no value here. The objective is to get Iraq and its citizens up and running a functional, orderly government. Whether it takes a year or several years, the point is to do the right thing, without having to be concerned with some kind of Axis of Weasels-defined timetable on the process.

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2003-10-16 10:02:46 AM|| 2003-10-16 10:02:46 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 the "united message" eases the political pressure on Blair(yet again), provides cover for countries like India and Bangladesh to send troops, makes it easier for Japan and South Korea to send money (and maybe troops) and improves our bargaining position with the Turks. Probably helps with the "Arab street" (for those who take that seriously) and may even help in Iraq (at least in the Sunni triangle, though probably not among the Kurds who have little love for the weasels) It also eases the situation at home, makes it easier for Dubya to pass the $ package, and eases domestic pressures. All in all a big win - and a nice strategy - peel off China and Russia first, isolating Germany and France.

Posted by liberalhawk 2003-10-16 10:39:57 AM|| 2003-10-16 10:39:57 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Mr. Chairman, the delegation from the great state of Syria votes:

YES!

15-0!

Do you suppose Assad got the message?

Posted by Chuck Simmins 2003-10-16 11:20:51 AM|| [http://blog.simmins.org] 2003-10-16 11:20:51 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Still makes me wonder what we've found there.

They're being too agreeable.

Did we agree to give Pooty-poot a piece of the action?

And China - did we use NorK pressure? Hard to take over the world when your neighbor's eating humans and we could look the other way.

Posted by Anonymous 2003-10-16 1:20:21 PM|| 2003-10-16 1:20:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 I think the Chinese had no dog in this fight.
For the last year, their position seems to have very carefully tracked the 'center'.
I think their primary objective WRT Iraq is to not piss anyone off. They seem to have done a pretty good job of it.

Posted by Dishman 2003-10-16 2:55:45 PM|| 2003-10-16 2:55:45 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Dishman: I think the Chinese had no dog in this fight.

Not exactly. The Chinese media have been chockful of the usual anti-American propaganda on the Iraq situation. The difference is that they've figured out that if France and Russia are going to obstruct the US anyway, why bother doing it themselves (and set themselves up for heat from the US)? They're free-riding on French and Russian obstruction. I think the reason for the success of the current resolution is that the French and the Russians have finally figured out they are standing out there naked in front of the world facing the diplomatic and economic wrath of Uncle Sam. That realization is probably what prompted them to agree to the resolution, not any conversion on the road to Damascus.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2003-10-16 4:09:55 PM|| 2003-10-16 4:09:55 PM|| Front Page Top

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