I think we are still in a wait and see mode!
c.i., thanks for the moveon link. I signed the petition last week and have sent it around to others.
I have this incredible perhaps stupid blindly-forging-ahead belief that this war does not have to happen, that some strong counter force, an outcry of pain and hope from around the world, strong enough to stand up to the US and UK leaders, is going to prevail.
Tony Blair must keep his promise. c.i.
crossed fingers Kara, crossed fingers
Ooooh, Kara - a true believer. How cool. I wish I could share that hope. But I think this guy in the white house has GOT to have his war.
Now you ruined it snood, rats we don't have a chance.
No, Blair's promise to the Brits. He said he would seek UN approval first. c.i.
c.i. whew i was hoping thats what you meant!!!!
Russia rules out abstention with veto call
Ewen MacAskill, diplomatic editor
Wednesday March 5, 2003
The Guardian
Russia made it clear to the US and Britain yesterday that it is prepared to use its security council veto against a second UN resolution authorising war against Iraq.
The message came from its foreign minister, Igor Ivanov, who is in London.
But London and Washington said they were confident of securing the resolution: one British official accused Russia of "grandstanding".
Nevertheless, there were signs of jitters in the allies' camp. The US reiterated its determination to go ahead without a resolution, but Tony Blair, who is to see Mr Ivanov today, desperately needs one, to prevent a revolt engulfing his government and party.
One sign of nervousness was Britain's seeking to postpone the vote from next week until the week after. The US appears keen to push ahead next week as planned.
Mr Ivanov told the BBC yesterday: "Russia would not support any decision that would directly or indirectly lead to a war with Iraq."
Given the situation in the UN, there is no reason for further delay. Launch at the first and best opportunity.
Poor Blair. His no confidence from the Brits puts him into a bind. What shall he do? c.i.
Asherman, Kara put it so beautifully, that I can add very little except for my belief that Bush could gain world respect if he backed down from attacking Iraq.
Right now, he is seen as a tyrant who is buying support for this war. If he did the honorable thing and gave the inspections plenty of time to disarm Iraq, not only would the world's eyes be on Iraq, they would also be on the UN, watching to see if the UN was finally going to follow through on its responsibility to enforce disarmament.
Gonna be interesting to see what Australia's Prime Minister does now. We have troops and ships there - but he said they were not automatically committed to war without UN approval. Like Blair, he has a country and Parliament largely opposed to war without UN sanction.
I imagine there will be LOTS of pressure from the USA for our troops to go in when/if yours do - I know we are only a PR force, as opposed to militarily significant - but this seems to be a war as much of PR as anything else. Although I have contempt for most of the policies of this man, I would hate to be in his shoes - or those of any other leader now...
They might be only a PR force Deb, but this time they're the real deal. In the Gulf war we sent a couple of our navy rowboats to paddle around the US fleet and wave the Aussie flag. The SAS troops and FA-18 squadrons deployed this time are the absolute front line elite of our tiny defence forces. Although only a small part they're gonna be right in the thick of it.
Yes - but hardly important to outcome - I didn't mean they were not going to be really in the war.
Here's hoping Bush's blinks, for the santity of the world!
Up until recently I was simply angry with him. Now I'm starting to get scared.
It is truly scary - where will it stop - no one knows. At least they haven't asked us to trust them, egads for that nightmare!
