Posted by Dinah on February 14, 2003, at 17:09:25
In reply to Re: France, Israel, etc., posted by wendy b. on February 14, 2003, at 12:20:46
And as far as France is concerned, if you think their stance is altruistic and based on their best judgement, you need to look into their financial interests with Iraq and related Arab countries. The United States isn't the only country with an iron in the fire in the Mideast.
I don't think it's an anti-Semitic thing at all. I think it's purely pragmatic economics.I don't actually believe that invading Iraq is a good idea, but I don't think it is *at all* fair to assign horrible motives to those who disagree. Maybe George Bush really does believe that Iraq is a threat and a provider of training and support for terrorists. And accusing them of manufacturing tapes? And satellite photos? Notice the UN inspectors aren't really disputing the facts, just asking for more time. For agents of the United Nations, the inspectors have been surprisingly negative about Iraq's cooperation and position.
Iraq *invaded* their neighbor and our ally, Kuwait. As part of the peace settlement after their defeat in this act of aggression they agreed to certain conditions which they have not lived up to. No one disputes these things. We have *on tape* certain discussions that make clear that they are not living up to their agreement. Again, no one in power is disputing the authenticity of these tapes. Should they have agreed? They didn't have to - we could have carried the war out to its conclusion then. They chose to not have that result and to make peace instead. Pretty standard for a defeated country, especially if they were the aggressor.
Is this worth violating the sanctity of an independent nation and invading them? My opinion, actually, is no. I'm sorry that sanctions just result in harm to the people of Iraq, not the leadership, but I would prefer to box the country in to prevent harm to others rather than to invade it. But that doesn't mean that I in any way condone the vilification of those who disagree with me - on either side.
poster:Dinah
thread:36960
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030208/msgs/200480.html