.....The majority of countries said the inspection route was producing results, even as they faulted Iraq for not fully cooperating with the inspectors.
Migliore said that while the United Nations still has "a wealth of peaceful tools provided by international law, to resort to force would not be a just one." He said the inspections regime "remains an effective path that could lead to a building of a consensus which … would make it almost impossible for any government to act otherwise, without risking international isolation." War, he added, "is the very last option and in accordance with very strict conditions."
Deputy Ambassador Pierre Helg of Switzerland told the meeting, "The resort to force can only be envisaged after all peaceful means to find a solution to the crisis have been exhausted." He said Switzerland supports strengthening the inspection system "and if that option fails, we recall that in any case the use of force must be authorized by a Security Council resolution."
Liechtenstein's Ambassador Christian Wenaweser said, "We share the view that the use of force would need to be authorized by the council in a separate resolution and that the reports submitted by UNMOVIC and the IAEA do not lead to the conclusion that such a decision is warranted at this time."......
http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/current.asp
(PEACEKEEPING AND SECURITY)
perception wrote:Hmmm----degrees of evil---I don't think so---Saddam was first in line and then Kim tried to breach the line. He shouldn't be in such a hurry to commit suicide----he is next.
I'll believe that when I see it.
perc, I don't live in "fear" of anything. I'm more likely to die driving to the local store before anything else that can befall me. c.i.
Anthrax, Small Pox and Ebola as compared to a two-by-four.
Ah well, I'm in the wrong place for any sensibilities.
And all non combatants survive saturation bombing!
BTW, watch for the use of nuetron bombs. Kills people, but doesn't harm structures.
perc, Did you buy some plastic sheeting and duct tape? LOL c.i.
I'm not living in fear -- well, at least not of Saddam's warheads. (Who was it who just said the only real "warheads" are in the White House! Well said.) That may be rational or it may not. I think it's directly related to the endless "sky is falling" reports. I just don't believe them any more. Crying Wolf(owitz), I call it...
Wolfowitz was the one back in about September last year who said the President (sic) has to go to war, he would lose too much face not to and already said he was - or some such bologna.
Hey, I thought Rummie wanted this war long before nine-eleven. c.i.
I think this war was in the planning stage way back during the 1992 - for sure 1996 campaigns. They kept saying "REpublicans aren't about war!" Guess what, Republicans are about war!
Hmmm -- "sic" is right, BillW.
A 4-to-6-inch diameter, 4-foot long piece of well seasoned hardwood firewood, such as oak or hickory, is much more effective, and durable, than a 2X4 piece of pine framing lumber. But thanks for thinking of me anyway, Tres.
In answer to 911's question, I think The Turkey Issue will be settled by this weekend. That will either allow massive US Combat Presence "On Ground" in Turkey, or call for the implementation of the "No Turkey" contingency plan. While a Mar 2/3 start still is feasible, recently announced callups and postings lead me to conclude the actual planned H-Hour will be perhaps 7 to 10 days beyond that. This could also indicate "No Turkey" pl;anning was done and appropriate steps are being taken. One way or the other, there's a battle plan. Reports of movements and other intelligence in the region, including indications of paramilitary activity and government-level unrest in numerous neighbor states, offer potential for a somewhat earlier start to the shooting, a date not necessarily of US choosing.
timber
timber, When you say the Turkey issue will be settled by this weekend, do you mean the US will meet their demands on the $$$ and written contract? c.i.
c.i., I dunno about that ... compromise is more likely than sellout, but if Turkey decides to hold out into the weekend, Turkey will be done without. If The "No Turkey Plan" is implemented, it must be implemented within the next very few days to allow an Early-to-Mid-March H-Hour. Once implemented, that plan will be essentially self sustaining and self fulfilling. It will be easier with Turkey, but if Turkey doesn't get aboard very soon Turkey will not be on the train.
For the record, I disagree strongly with the notion of an 18th Resolution ... even the concept of referring to it a "A Second Resolution" perplexes me. Iraq has been in Material Breach of the original Gulf War Ceasefire from the beginning, despite numerous, if futile, UN Resolutions declaring such and calling for immediate compliance. I'm not happy that the matter is being pursued, and see it purely political and occasioned by great cynicism.
In any event, Feb 28 remains a key date; for an Early March offensive, all components must be positioned and "Battle Ready" by then.
Whichever way The UN votes, The US is "Goin' In" if Saddam doesn't go away first. If the next resolution succeeds and authorizes force absent unconditional compliance by Mid March, the fine. If not, The UN stands to lose far more than does The US, IMHO. Should The Vote go against The US, The US-UN relationship, and the relationships of several nations, will suffer about a generation's worth of damage. A swift, clean US victory with resultant disclosure of clear and conclusive evidence of Iraqi perfidy would be the best case war, but things, especially wars, rarely prove out "Best Case". Fortunately, "Worst Case" is similarly rare. This war will bring neither armageddon nor utopia. It will, however, bring an end to Saddam Hussein and The Ba'ath Party. I believe it likely suspicions of US Imperialism will be shown to be far less well founded than suspicions of Iraqi Non-Compliance.
timber
C.I. wrote:
"perc, Did you buy some plastic sheeting and duct tape? LOL c.i."
No---but I sure watched a lot of news bytes of people clearing the shelves.
Whewwww--this thead is traveling at the rate of a page an hour(it seems)---you can sure get behind in a hurry.
One of the European news papers called Chirac a worm with a picture to match.
North Carolina is starting a campaign of boycotting French products.
timber, I agree that another "Resolution" is meaningless. If they're willing to go for 18, why not 118? I think it's being used as a delaying tactic. I think there's a split even amongst the "peaceniks" on this issue. Some claim they just want to see the UN Inspectors to be successful in disarming Saddam and Iraq, while the other 'half' will not approve of any warfare no matter what is found. I also think Saddam is misinterpreting the peace demonstrations to mean they support him and Iraq, but that's not true by any meaning of the word. Most people just do not want to see innocent Iraqi's killed for a war to dethrone Saddam, and really want this tyrant to disappear from this world. c.i.
Timber
I believe Turkey will accept our last "best" offer and we will use their bases for a second front in Iraq. I'm caught again will only hope that is the case----I really didn't like the idea of airborne elements flying around Baghdad and trying to operate with no armor in the northern area.
They would still have the "Warthog" with that 40mm but they could get spread too thin because they have a great distance to fly
I don't like the idea of the Turks blackmailing us for big bucks and then they will probably try to gobble up a part of Northern Iraq. We can't let that happen
Don't want to speculate on the start date----events are being pushed to the breaking point---at least the guys won't have long to think about it. I would like for it start tomorrow night but I know that's just not possible. We need some element of surprise but when the retired generals speculate on TV every night how do you get it.
This is the highest stakes poker game I have witnessed since the standoff with Krushchev over Cuba. Powell has probably said to Turkey " this is our last offer and I need to know by tomorrow night no later than midnight.----click
Powell has probably said to Turkey " this is our last offer and I need to know by tomorrow night no later than midnight.----click
It sounds like a high-pressure used car transaction, complete with the blubbering threats and ultimatums.
Where are the plaid sportcoats?
Too bad we don't have the Mafia to make an offer they can't refuse. c.i.
