Schroeder says that he's sorry

[LoneWolf]

You are right, Paky, we have learned a lesson. Your posts here are also very instructive.
We are on our own, and cannot pay too much attention to the foolish rantings of Euros like you, who are not really with us anyway.

[Bereta_Eder]

LOL... little redneckie as I said always amuzing talking to you. What's that bird that hides its head in the sand when it doesn't like something? Ostre... something

[MichaeltheGreat]

Sanctions, schmanctions...

Interesting that Schröder is gutless after the fact. At least he could be consistent.

Lifting sanctions right now, or not lifting them, is utterly meaningless to the Iraqis, but it's all about "Who's you're daddy?" between the US and the UN. The US needs to just come out and formalize it's desired restructuring of the UN with a formal proposal to make the US the sole voting member, with all other members holding observer seats, but paying full dues and lining up to receive instructions from the US as to their roles in carrying out US er, um, ooops, UN policy.

Iraq has no functioning national banking system and no functioning state enterprise, and the lack of a banking system shuts down effective transfers of money or credit, so until that gets shaken out, nobody is buying or selling anything, regardless of sanctions. Meanwhile, within security and logistical limits, humanitarion aid is starting to flow regardless of sanctions, and the US is happily awarding contracts to US firms such as Bechtel and Halliburton for infrastructure and oilfield projects.

The sanctions tiff boils down to one thing: The US treating the UN as servants of US policy. "We want sactions on Iraq."

"We want a new resolution mandating a resumption of inspections."

"We want a new resolution authorizing us to invade to enforce the last resolution."

"Oh? You're not going to give us that? We'll invade anyway."

"Oh, BTW, those sanctions we insisted on? You can turn those off now, we no longer find them useful for our policies..."

"Oh, Kofi, be a dear and fetch me another mint julep, will you..."

The effect right now on the Iraqis is non-existent, because the commercial, security and logistical means for international commerce don't exist yet. But that's beside the point. This isn't about the Iraqis, it's about both sides using them in more policy games. (arab meaning)

[DinoDoc]

Zorba! You killed my thread! You bastard!

[Drake Tungsten]

Hiding my head in the sand to ignore what exactly? The coming wrath of the Greeks and Belgians?

[Bereta_Eder]

I made the most significant contributions moneypenny before Drake came waving his little willy. You should be grateful

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Drake Tungsten
Hiding my head in the sand to ignore what exactly? The coming wrath of the Greeks and Belgians?

Ah delusion is great isn't it
It's the whole world Blur affictionado

[DinoDoc]

Re: Sanctions, schmanctions...

Originally posted by MichaeltheGreat
it's all about "Who's you're daddy?" between the US and the UN. The US needs to just come out and formalize it's desired restructuring of the UN with a formal proposal to make the US the sole voting member, with all other members holding observer seats, but paying full dues and lining up to receive instructions from the US as to their roles in carrying out US er, um, ooops, UN policy.

I wouldn't be opossed to that.

[Drake Tungsten]

I made the most significant contributions moneypenny before Drake came waving his little willy. You should be grateful

It's pretty obvious who started this (and every other) trollfest.

It's the whole world Blur affictionado

I worry about public opinion in the parts of the world not populated by irrelevant cowards. Greece and Belgium don't fit into that category.

[Lancer]

Thinking is mere electrons, gone in a flash, particularly if you're a leftist.

[Ben Kenobi]

PROOF OF GREEK WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION:




However, one correction. The lady involved is Canadian.

PROOF OF CANADIAN WMD!



See what Kim made us do.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Lancer
Like refusing to lift UN sanctions against a freed Iraqi people? Total lack of character in France and Russia these days.

How the hell does one do that when there's no recognisable form of government in the country? Who the hack handles the money?

Lancer you are a riot a minute.

[Dis]

him and Andy Rooney are smart men.