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Europe
Nobel winner Shimon Peres criticizes France, Germany, protesters
2003-02-20
Former prime minister Shimon Peres on Thursday criticized France and Germany for their opposition to a US-led attack on Iraq, and questioned France's status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Whoa! But he's one of the "good guys"?
Peres, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, also criticized recent mass demonstrations around the world against a possible US attack on Iraq.
Ouch! that would make either he or the protesters illegitimate as "peace" activists... note the Reuters-type scare quotes?
"Why didn't they demonstrate when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran, or invaded Kuwait?" Peres told the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. "That was a war. It cost a million lives."
But America and Israel weren't involved so it's not worth the effort
Peres also suggested another country replace France as a permanent member of the Security Council. "Why not for example, India, that represents much more of the 20th century, in terms of people, in terms of position, in terms of visions?" Peres said.
There was another proposal yesterday that Japan be substituted. I believe there was another one to substitute the Holy Roman Empire EU as a whole (which would mean giving the seat to Burgundy Belgium.)
If France and Germany oppose positions backed by other European countries, they should provide alternative proposals, Peres said. He also questioned their support, without UN backing, for the use of force in the Balkans in 1999. "One must ask, why was it right to bomb Kosovo... without the United Nations? Is (former Yugoslav President Slobodan) Milosevic more dangerous than Saddam Hussein?" Peres said.
Darn good questions, all of them, but I especially like the India initiative
While Israel has not openly called for a US attack on Iraq, it has made no secret of its desire to see the ouster of Saddam, whose regime fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War.
Posted by:Frank G

#2  Since France is so good at surrendering, maybe they could surrender their seat to India.
Posted by: Denny   2003-02-20 21:34:07  

#1  I concur with the logic behind replacing France with India on the Security Council--I think it's a long overdue idea. However, does anyone know if there is a feasible way in which France could be voted off the Council as a permanent member and replaced?
Posted by: Bill   2003-02-20 18:31:44  

00:01