Al Gore, America's only hope ...

[Ecthy]

And no, there was no declaration of war, so there probably wasn't any peace treaty either, in a literal sense.

Any diplomatic move must have been UN-related anyway.

Cyclo, are you Austrian or American? You're getting me confused. Not that it matters logically, but I need it for associating all the "we"s and "us"s...

[Ecthy]

Wasn't there a discussion in the US during the 60s to declare war on N Vietnam?

[Cyclotron]

I would just like somebody to cite the "official" UN backing of the no-fly zones. I'm not ruling out the possibility that I'm horribly wrong, I just wasn't aware that there was any kind of UN backing of them, let alone official backing through resolutions.

As far as I am aware, there was no peace treaty, but rather we declared there to be a cease-fire once we had routed the Republican Guard and their armored divisions. No-fly zones were created and enforced by us and select allies (Britain certainly, maybe France).

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by Ecthy
Cyclo, are you Austrian or American? You're getting me confused. Not that it matters logically, but I need it for associating all the "we"s and "us"s...

Gah, sorry. I'm American, I just changed it when I was in Austria, and haven't bothered to change it back. I suppose I should, but I just like the flag. Maybe I just need to change my location to "I AM AMERICAN."

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by Ecthy
Wasn't there a discussion in the US during the 60s to declare war on N Vietnam?

Yes, but nothing ever came of it. Declaring war does very little nowadays, when one can wage war without a declaration, so there's not much point in making it official.

[Ecthy]

Figures.

As far as the NFZs are concerned -

This is vague, but there's some echo from the media in my ears that says "...UN no fly zones...".

[Cyclotron]

Originally posted by Ecthy

This is vague, but there's some echo from the media in my ears that says "...UN no fly zones...".

I've heard the same, but from what I can tell that's just inaccuracy on the part of the media. I can't find anything that confims the no-fly zones as UN proposed, backed, enforced, or anything else.

Of course, there is a general confusion over American vs. Coalition vs. UN from that time period, I'm not surprised that media organs would make honest mistakes.

So, in conclusion, Al Gore was America's only hope, but he's apparently not running, so we're screwed. Curse you, Al Gore!

[Cyclotron]

There, Ecthy, less confusing.

[PLATO]

The UN did not specifically authorize the no fly zones. The United States, Great Britian, and France claimed that resolution 688 provided the legal authority for their implementation.

Resolution 688:

RESOLUTION 688 (1991)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 2982nd meeting on 5 April 1991
The Security Council,

Mindful of its duties and its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security,

Recalling of Article 2, paragraph 7, of the Charter of the United Nations,

Gravely concerned by the repression of the Iraqi civilian population in many parts of Iraq, including most recently in Kurdish populated areas, which led to a massive flow of refugees towards and across international frontiers and to cross-border incursions, which threaten international peace and security in the region,

Deeply disturbed by the magnitude of the human suffering involved, Taking note of the letters sent by the representatives of Turkey and France to the United Nations dated 2 April 1991 and 4 April 1991, respectively (S/22435 and S/22442),

Taking note also of the letters sent by the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations dated 3 and 4 April 1991, respectively (S/22436 and S/22447),

Reaffirming the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Iraq and of all States in the area,

Bearing in mind the Secretary-General's report of 20 March 1991 (S/22366),

1. Condemns the repression of the Iraqi civilian population in many parts of Iraq, including most recently in Kurdish populated areas, the consequences of which threaten international peace and security in the region;

2. Demands that Iraq, as a contribution to remove the threat to international peace and security in the region, immediately end this repression and express the hope in the same context that an open dialogue will take place to ensure that the human and political rights of all Iraqi citizens are respected;

3. Insists that Iraq allow immediate access by international humanitarian organizations to all those in need of assistance in all parts of Iraq and to make available all necessary facilities for their operations;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to pursue his humanitarian efforts in Iraq and to report forthwith, if appropriate on the basis of a further mission to the region, on the plight of the Iraqi civilian population, and in particular the Kurdish population, suffering from the repression in all its forms inflicted by the Iraqi authorities;

5. Requests further the Secretary-General to use all the resources at his disposal, including those of the relevant United Nations agencies, to address urgently the critical needs of the refugees and displaced Iraqi population;

6. Appeals to all Member States and to all humanitarian organizations to contribute to these humanitarian relief efforts;

7. Demands that Iraq cooperate with the Secretary-General to these ends;

8. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

[Victor Galis]

Honestly, I'd like to see Gore run in 2008, but I really don't believe he wants to. Either way, the world is screwed as a result.

[Zkribbler]

Enter...John Edwards!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
You don't know jack, evidently, about the situation behind this, Rufus. Firing on U.S. planes that patrolled the No Fly Zone was justification enough.
Go read what is evidently history for you before you flap your gums.

Jesus H. Christ on a crutch, Sloww, learn to read. Do I say the invasion of Iraq was unjustified? No. Do I say the removal of Saddam was unjustified? No.

What I say is, they are actions that were f*cking stupid, because they created more, and worse, problems than they solved.

A president with brains would have understood that. Bush's dad did. Clinton did. Shrub? No way.

Apparently, like you, he can't understand the difference between "entitled" and "smart." I suspect it's because he's led a life of entitlement without having a brain in his head. I've no idea what your excuse is.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Enter...John Edwards!

OH HELL NO!

You could have me voting Democrat in two straight Presidential elections, but kiss that goodbye with that idiot.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui


OH HELL NO!

You could have me voting Democrat in two straight Presidential elections, but kiss that goodbye with that idiot.

QFT

[chequita guevara]

I'd vote for Hillary, just to see every Republican go ape**** for 8 years (cuz barring assasination, she'd be re-elected).