Yes but the fact that Blair right now seems to be scrambling to keep up his part against a tide of people now asking why they are involved if they are not needed, now seems to indicate that Rumsfelds “entirely true and blindingly obvious” statements had an effect that was detrimental to the US and Blair’s position.
As for a Nation giving up its foreign policy to another nation I think you are over stating things. What the other side is saying is not “Leave IRAQ alone” but rather “Wait and see if the inspections can do more” It is a matter of do we go now or later. Those against the war ask why it is absolutely necessary to go in NOW?
This attitude of We’ll do what we want no matter what you think is dangerous. Any nation who says screw you to the international community and carries out aggressions is usually branded as a rougue state.
I mean if, Say, Iraq went and invaded another country on the pretence that it was protecting its national self interests and no one could dictate its foriegn policy wouldn’t it be right for other nations to resist… oh wait.
Might does not make right. I’m not saying Saddam doesn’t need a good squooshing but it has to be done with sanction and cooperation (either actual or tacit) of the rest of the international community.
Blair would be scrambling to keep up his part if every US official sang “God Bless the Queen” before every press conference. No one who knows anything about the relative strength of the US vs Iraq would imagine that the US needs any help to defeat the Iraqi army. The UK is an ally because its leadership shares the same concerns about Iraq that the US does.
The international community is a myth. The US has some allies and some countries that are opposing it. The US does not need permission from anyone. Who did France ask permission of when they invaded that country in Africa? Who did Russia ask for permission to invade Chechnya? Who did the UK ask for permission during the Falklands war?
Either Saddam needs a good squooshing or he doesn’t. If he does lets get on with it, if he doesn’t then lets not. The opinion that he needs it but should only get it if Cameroon signs on seems nonsensical to me.
To take your statement equating this war to the invasion of Kuwait seriously would be an insult to your intelligence and your sense of morality.
What I’m equating is the attitude that any country may go at any time and do what they want despite the UN. In the case of Falklan Islands it was an invasion of British owned Territory. In the case of Chechnya Russia was involved in a war based on claimed incursions and terrorist acts from the seperatists on Russian territory eventually leading to open warfare. As for France and some country in Africa you’ll have to be more specific than that.
In this case Iraq is contained and despite claims that there is a viable threat to the US no aggression has been carried out by Iraq since the Gulf war. The US is claiming the right to attack on the hint of a threat as opposed to an actual threat or attack.
Even so, he had Blair and friends scrambling for a while yesterday in order to clarify everyone’s position. Surely they could have used that time to better effect attempting to shore up support for this “coalition of the willing” ?
No sane nation refuses to modify its actions to fit with altering international circumstances, either. Altering plans slightly if an ally should change its position doesn’t equal “giving your foreign policy over to another nation”.
To the contrary, it is a necessary reality. At this point the question is whether or not it’s going to be a reasonably rational community or give way to anarchy.
(No offense intended to the Anarchists among us.:D)
I agree. I think Rumsfeld made an impolitic statement, which he ought not to have done. But, in the long run, one clumsy comment by the a US Secretary of Defence, which has since been withdrawn, isn’t going to drive Britain’s policy or its politics.
You may not realise it from over the Atlantic, but the ramifications of the lapse of judgement over in the UK are huge.
Ironically, though giving “ammunition” to the anti-war crowd, it now actually seems to have strengthened the resolve of the UK government to go to war no matter what the UN resolves or not.
How about one clumsy comment per month? Is that still within your acceptable parameters? Lumping Germany with Libya and Cuba. The “Old Europe” thing. The man is a menace. But of course, he is one of the wise counselors we are constantly reminded that Bush has surrounded himself with.
Yeah right. But by this standard of professionalism the US might as well give the job to Wildest Bill; Somewhere in the job description the words ‘diplomat’ and ‘diplomacy’ occur. They’re there for a reason.
I agree with woolly, not a great idea to piss on people (Bliar) inside the tent.
Fwiw, I’m inclined to think these months of constant pressure are beginning to show, especially on the older men. Tough times.