Our Allies- the TURKS

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by PLATO1003


Seen any other Flags up there?

Too bad you signed the Outer Space Treaty of 1967...

[Az]

But frogger, It's irrelevant now. You know, like the ABM treaty.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Frogger


Too bad you signed the Outer Space Treaty of 1967...

Yeah, I know. There goes the neighborhood.

[GePap]

Originally posted by DuncanK
You are looking at things black and white. True, most of the world are against the US invasion, but the invasion is not going to piss the world off too much. There is justification for the war, it's just that most of the world doesn't think the justification is quite good enough. The US will not damage its reputation much in this actions. On the other hand if Turkey just takes an opportunity to take Iraqi territory for no other reason but expansion its reputation will be hurt very bad, especially with its strongest ally

You are correct in one part, the admin. has a justification for this war that most states do not buy. But on the second part, I belieev you are incorrect. The US has already daamged its reputation greatly, and if the invasion does not go wonderfully, our reputation will be further degraded. Turkey might lose its reputation with the US, but: 1. Turkey would remain an crucial ally, and 2. what is expected of the Turks is far less. The star pupil who commits a crime suffers far more damage to their reputation than the slightly unsavory kid who does the same things suffers.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Azazel
But frogger, It's irrelevant now. You know, like the ABM treaty.

Yes, well: I'd like to see the US attempt to enforce their sovereignty over a body the size of the moon, 250 000 miles away...

[PLATO]

As for your assetion of us going to liberate Iraq: lets say the turks give in,and they get 26 billion: in such a deal, the Kurds still get screwed, and we haven't gotten to the Shia yet. Yes, our glorious campaingn to liberate the Sunni middle class of Central Iraq will go beautifully.

GePap, you do have a point that integrating the three main divisions into one country will be a challenge. The Turks also have a point that the Kurds have been a major trouble spot for them and this deal will probably screw them.

But (you knew it was coming)...
1.) The Kurds have been promised a more representative role in the government that will emerge. They will have greater economic benefit as those US $$ pour in. They will not have to be worried about being gased by the government. Not to bad a way to be screwed. They just will not be allowed to continue launching terrorist attacks from Iraq into Turkey anymore. The major way they will really be screwed is that it will now be virtually impossible for them to form their own state.

2.) The Sunni's hold most of the wealth in Iraq. You are correct to assume that this part of an occupation will go smoothly.

3.) The Shia's in the south are currently far to tied in with the Iranians. I would venture to guess that they provide a major conduit for Arms from Iran to Hamas. This will be the most difficult part of the occupation. However, if they are the conduit that geography and logic suggest, this is all the more reason to "liberate" them.

As you know, I've never stated that this is a war of liberation. I feel that this is a good result that will be obtained from this action. I continue to state that this has become more of a power and influence struggle than even a war over WMD. Let me remind everyone that UNSCOM final report drew some frightening conclusions about Iraqi WMD. 1441 put the burden on Iraq to prove that they did not have them, not on inspectors to find them. The inspector's job was to verify their distruction, not to seek and destroy.

I also agree with your earlier point GePap, if 1441 is complied with then no war. Iraq is soverign and the world has not spoken (through the voice of the security council) on possible terrorist links, human rights abuses, or authoritarian control. It has spoken on WMD. It is time for the Security council to enforce their words. Turkey, being a UN member should co-operate.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Frogger


Yes, well: I'd like to see the US attempt to enforce their sovereignty over a body the size of the moon, 250 000 miles away...

US doesn't need to enforce sovereignty. Who else can get there??

[KrazyHorse]

The Russians if they had the money, the Euros if there was any reason to go and the Chines have announced that they'll be on the moon in 5 years.

[DuncanK]

The Moon is our Manifest Destiny! We must have it for FREEDOM!

[Sava]

This Iraq thing is like throwing a ping-pong ball into a room of mouse traps holding ping-pong balls.

[Chemical Ollie]

NATO is pissed of because some members won't send troops to Turkey. I'm just curious: Did they ask for Greek troops?

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Frogger
The Russians if they had the money, the Euros if there was any reason to go and the Chines have announced that they'll be on the moon in 5 years.

Exactly. The Russians don't have the money. I doubt the Euro's could agree on any part of that voyage. And...we'll see about the Chinese-my $$ say they won't(unless of course Bill Clinton sold them more missle tech than we already know of).

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Olaf HÃ¥rfagre
NATO is pissed of because some members won't send troops to Turkey. I'm just curious: Did they ask for Greek troops?

Given the situation, I would guess NO. It would be interesting to see Greek soldiers defending Turks from the Moslem Hordes though

[Az]

Yes, well: I'd like to see the US attempt to enforce their sovereignty over a body the size of the moon, 250 000 miles away...

You know, this kind of conflict could "spill back" to earth, given the "right" leaders.

[Chemical Ollie]

To join the off-topic discussion in this off-topic thread:

Wasn't the moon claimed by a single guy, and it went all the way to the UN and was approved? Now he is selling Lunar real estate over the Internet. Could be quite interesting when your great grandchildren want to build a house on the land they inhereted from you.