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2002-09-28 Axis of Evil

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2002-09-28 09:52 am|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Okay, I can see what we might promise the Rooskies -- they get a free hand in Georgia, good deals on oil and a guarentee on any deal they have with Iraq.

I simply don't see what the US/UK can promise either France or China that would make them willing to support the resolution, if they're of a mind to oppose it (as I suspect they are). What would the French WANT from us? I really can't think of anything that's realistic. We aren't going to sign the Kyoto accord, or join the ICC, for example.

Likewise, what would China want? We're NOT going to walk away from Taiwan -- Bush would be impeached by his own party. China already has favorable trade terms, and we're already carefully looking the other way whilst the Chinese pound on their western, muslim minorities.

If this is a horse-trade, what's our horse with these guys? I can't see it.

Posted by Steve White 2002-09-28 14:59:42|| 2002-09-28 14:59:42|| Front Page Top

#2 One thing they may not wish is for the UN to lapse into irrelevance. If the UN does not support us in enforcing its own 16 resolutions Saddem Hussein has flouted what use are they? But for the French and possibly the Chinese the UN may remain a point where they can bring diplomatic pressure to bear on the US in an effective way. So if they veto our resolutions they risk destroying their own diplomatic venue. Of course, they may not fully realize this, even after Bush's speech to the UN. As for Russia, we may guarantee their debts owed by Iraq but I doubt we'll throw Georgia to them.

Posted by Michael Lonie 2002-09-29 00:15:07|| 2002-09-29 00:15:07|| Front Page Top

04:58 Kathy K
00:22 Michael Lonie
00:15 Michael Lonie
20:54 Joy
20:50 Anonymous
20:49 Anonymous
20:40 Anonymous
15:14 Fred
14:59 Steve White
14:55 Steve White
14:47 Steve White
14:29 Joe
12:10 Frank G
11:47 Tom Daschle
11:35 Fred
10:49 Allah the Dog Faced God
10:42 Anonymous
10:38 Allah the Dog Faced God