| Sajha.com Archives | |
| Username | Post |
| utopian | Posted
on 09-Apr-03 11:49 AM
""We don't believe that the United Nations is equipped to play that central role. It will play a very important role, but I think the central role will reside with the coalition," Cheney said.". First of all, does that mean United States is an different entity from United Nations now? Also does US think its above UN (I guess the answer is obvious)? And does that also mean that US are not willing to equip UN to play that central role? I see US vs rest of the world mentality again. I sense the US arrogance again. I feel the US demonstration of supremacy again. It's not good for the peaceful world. I hope Bush administration understand that sooner than later, for this world to be a better place to live. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=1521&e=1&u=/afp/20030409/pl_afp/iraq_postwar_us_envoys_030409172811 |
| Robert Frost | Posted
on 09-Apr-03 12:13 PM
Utopian, Yes, US arrogance has reached unprecedented magnitudes. Thrashing the credibility of an institution like UN set up to ensure peace and security around the world is a dilemma among itself, at the first place. US has acted unilaterally for a military onslaught against Iraq and thus I can see no difference between Hitler's action and Bush's action. I am appalled at the situation of ordinary Iraqis, who must be terrified by this onslaught. I cannot believe that we have been compromised by the Americans into assaulting this country and inflaming the anger of other Arab states. Instead of feeling more secure, I am fearful of what will follow. I think that the basic barbarism at the heart of this and any war, cannot be dressed up in Bush's heroic language. How could anyone living in Baghdad be convinced that the bombing of their homes and families was for their benefit? What's really frightening about this whole crisis is watching how so many people form their opinions on the basis of the deliberate misinformation and speculation on the part of the 'coalition of the willing' and their media lackeys, and how quickly the goal post of motives for war keep changing. I was amazed for instance to see that the remains of what are more than likely to be 200 army personnel from the Iraq/Iran war was headlined as evidence of Saddam's death factory, before any sort of investigation has taken place. The whole thing is a shambolic disaster. In the USA there is a double standard about civilian casualties. A misguided belief that we are preventing another September 11 is an often-cited reason for supporting the war, yet the numbers of civilians dead in Iraq will likely eclipse the number of Americans killed on 9/11. Perhaps Middle Easterners don't count as much as Americans do. |
| boston_dude | Posted
on 09-Apr-03 01:15 PM
This is the context in which Cheney made the statement: ......Cheney said he expected the United Nations, as well as war opponents such as France, to have humanitarian involvement in the postwar efforts in Iraq. However, the key role in the reconstruction of Iraq and the creation of a new Iraqi government "has to reside with the U.S. government," Cheney said. "We don't believe that the United Nations is equipped to play that central role. It will play a very important role, but I think the central role will reside with the coalition," Cheney said.................... I was and am still opposed to the war/invasion (depending on how you look at it). However, I do agree that once Saddam's regime is gone (which seems to have already occured), it should be the be the Americans and the British (the so called "coallition") who head the rebuilding of Iraq. And, it should do so with UN's help, but not under it. I say this for a couple of reasons: 1. It was Ameircan and British blood that was spilled to remove Saddam. Whether fairly or unfairly, they waged this war claiming to bring freedom to the Iraquis. It would be unfair to the Americans and British to fight the war, but have the credit of rebuilding Iraq to go to the UN. The people who saw Americans bomb Iraqis over the last couple of weeks should also get to see Americans rebuild Iraq. 2. The coalition should not go it alone though. If it does, then it will convince many (including me), that this is all for oil. Not only will this be bad for America's reputation but such an image will lead to many attacks on American interests, including American forces that will be in Iraq. So, although I oppose many things coming out of Washington these days. I am with them on this one. B_D. |
| surya | Posted
on 09-Apr-03 03:42 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/2931475.stm |
| czar | Posted
on 09-Apr-03 04:14 PM
To the victor go the spoils.... Be it lucrative reconstruction contracts, or, the headache of restoring the power and water supply grids. Years of sanctions meant infrastructure crumbled for lack of parts, maintenance and a workforce that drifted away to find better means of livelihood. It is expected that nearly 20,000 American civilians will ultimately be swarming across "Eye raak" to run the new administration. The Bush administration asked Congress to approve $ 1.3 for the immediate recontruction of the place they will have spent $ 60 billion to demolish. The final recontstruction costs are still up in the air, but the numbers being kicked around range from $ 90 billion up to $ 150 billion over ten years. The coalition of the willing is now going to reach deep into their pockets (namely yours and my tax revenue) to finance all of this. [I don't recollect the American people being consulted on this.] Now the Americans, after all this investment in blood and cash, are supposed to turn around and kowtow to the very same recalcitrant UN that stuck a knife in their guts a few weeks ago ? Fuhgedaboudid. On another tack, I find interesting the present US preference for using the military as a means of statecraft. American forces are now in 19 countries around the world. I don't recollect there being a public debate about this. Or clear explanations of the duration and term of these forces posted globally. This doesn't count the forces already posted in the regular foreign bases such as in Guam, Germany, Turkey etc. pax Americana ! |
| czar | Posted
on 09-Apr-03 04:17 PM
That was "$1.3 billion for the immediate ..." |
| whine and chij | Posted
on 10-Apr-03 07:24 AM
brilliant analyses, jyus harus! most entertaining thread, too. carry on. |