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2005-06-28 International-UN-NGOs

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Posted by Fred 2005-06-28 00:00|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Neat idea, George. How about if we put Belgium and Lichtenstein on there too.

Posted by Yeahrrrrright 2005-06-28 00:44|| 2005-06-28 00:44|| Front Page Top

#2 "Open to" is not the same as "pushing." But, like France did to Turkey, sometimes even the suggestion can modify a country's behaviour. And as we dislike Schroeder as much as he does us, this feels ever so gently aimed at encouraging Angela Merkel.

Posted by trailing wife 2005-06-28 05:29|| 2005-06-28 05:29|| Front Page Top

#3 We should recommend Germany for a Security Council seat - right before we tell Kofi and Co. to pack up and get the hell out.

Posted by DMFD 2005-06-28 07:08|| 2005-06-28 07:08|| Front Page Top

#4 Here Helmut, take ours, we're leaving :)

Posted by Omise Sholuting9208 2005-06-28 07:48|| 2005-06-28 07:48|| Front Page Top

#5 I'd be inclined to offer a seat, though it would be a booster seat with childproof snaps off in the corner for bad behavior noted over the past 10 years.

Posted by HoratioNelson 2005-06-28 11:46|| 2005-06-28 11:46|| Front Page Top

#6 Give them France's seat.

Posted by CrazyFool 2005-06-28 12:01|| 2005-06-28 12:01|| Front Page Top

#7 Why am I reminded of Tom Lehrer's MLF Lullaby?

Posted by gromgoru 2005-06-28 12:20|| 2005-06-28 12:20|| Front Page Top

#8 While we "oppose no country" the underlying message is that we are not advocating for Germany.

Posted by Captain America 2005-06-28 13:14|| 2005-06-28 13:14|| Front Page Top

#9 Can we just give them the whole UN, lock, stock and barrel? Let the UN diplos illegally park on the streets of Bonn for a change.

Posted by SteveS 2005-06-28 13:19|| 2005-06-28 13:19|| Front Page Top

#10 If the UNSC really is enlarged the way it is proposed the US won't veto a German seat. A UNSC with 25 seats will have Germany as a permanent member. Imagine China and Russia voting for a German seat and the US against. You'd place the Merkel goverment in a very awkward position.

Oh and btw, Germany paid for all those seats in the UNSC... I mean the (physical) chairs.

Posted by True German Ally 2005-06-28 19:06|| 2005-06-28 19:06|| Front Page Top

#11 The problem is that Germany is prepared to do little to secure the world and so a seat at the security council with a couple of dozen other countries who are equally disposed will lead to the ultimate irrelevance of the entire UN. If that is what every body wants, I'm sure Bush will let them have it. That's when we get together to for the league of Democratic States. Now, does Germany want to be part of that?

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-06-28 19:16|| 2005-06-28 19:16|| Front Page Top

#12 Mrs Davis, you nailed the question.
Or, in the words of the immortal Groucho Marx:

"Would I want to join a club that's ready to have me?"

Frankly, the enlargement makes no sense. A 15seat UNSC doesn't work already. A 25seat would work even less.

So unfortunately it's nothing but an ego boost.

I can't even see a major issue on which only the US, Russia and China would agree now.

Except for an alien invasion, maybe.

Posted by True German Ally 2005-06-28 19:30|| 2005-06-28 19:30|| Front Page Top

#13 nahhh the Chinese would play the Aliens off against us

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2005-06-28 20:21|| 2005-06-28 20:21|| Front Page Top

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