The Guild 3-8-2004 Kerry 1997:The administration-don't believe that they need the U.N.

[BigWaveBetty]

Kerry 1997:The administration... don't believe that they even need the U.N. Security Council

During a 1997 debate on CNN's "Crossfire," Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry made the case for launching a pre-emptive attack against Iraq, according to Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who appeared with Kerry on the program.

King recounted the debate for WABC Radio's Monica Crowley on Saturday, recalling that at the time, the U.N. Security Council had just adopted a resolution against Iraq that had been watered down at the behest of the French and the Russians.

According to King, Kerry argued: "We know we can't count on the French. We know we can't count on the Russians. We know that Iraq is a danger to the United States and we reserve the right to take pre-emptive action whenever we feel it's in our national interest."

"Crossfire" transcripts from 1997 are no longer available, but King said he'd share a copy of the Kerry tape with Crowley, who said she looked forward to broadcasting it. Stay tuned. Link

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So far this post at a blog is all been able to find on these Kerry remarks:

In my earlier post today I commented about a news story from Newsmax which reported that in an 1997 episode of CNN's Crossfire John Kerry, who by the way served in Vietnam, advocated a pre-emptive strategy in dealing with Saddam. Now my frequent commentor and fellow blogger Jaws has fished the transcript from the bowels of LexisNexis and provided me with it, the relevant parts are as follows:

JOHN SUNUNU:...This whole process gave our allies an opportunity not only not to follow America's leadership, not only not to allow us to lead, but to tell us we'd better not do what the president is now saying he might do.

KERRY: Well, John, there's absolutely no statement that they (France, Russia) have made or that they will make that will prevent the United States of America and this president or any president from acting in what they believe are the best interests of our country.

SUNUNU: But isn't what he has seen is a loss of U.S. leadership and an erosion under an administration that has failed to lead?

KERRY: On the contrary. The administration is leading. The administration is making it clear that they don't believe that they even need the U.N. Security Council to sign off on a material breach because the finding of material breach was made by Mr. Butler. So furthermore, I think the United States has always reserved the right and will reserve the right to act in its best interests.

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Now the words aren't exactly the same as reported in the earlier story but there's no doubt Kerry, in 1997, thought that a resolution from the UNSC was not needed because proof of Saddam being in material breach had been found. Further more he then believed a president doesn't need to worry about the concerns of other countries when the "best interests of our country" are at stake. hmmmm...now between '97 and 2004 what has changed?...hmmmm, it brings his world renown perchant for flip floppage to a whole new level. Link

[daisyscarlett]

Actually, the one that looks like a guy is really a guy in this case and he is their "son"...

I wonder what will happen when one of these "married" couples want to get divorced. You can bet your sweet bippy that if Mrs. O'Donnell filed for divorce from Rosie and wanted half of her worth, which is the community property law in Ca., Mr. O'Donnell would scream her head off and say the "marriage" was not legal...

[Utah Girl]

Great news for you! I am so happy.

[mountaineer]

Considering the life span of the average homosexual relationship, I doubt that these folks really want the aggravation and expense of complying with divorce laws when the time comes. You're probably right - it's around then that they'll decide the whole thing was only symbolic, with no legal ramifications, and - once again - will try to evade compliance with the law of their state.

SIGHTINGS . . . FORMER Mayor David Dinkins, Fox News Channel chief Roger Ailes and real estate king Jack Rudin saying hello to Chelsea Clinton in the Grill Room at The Four Seasons . . . [Do 24-year-olds really hang out at the Four Seasons?] (PageSix)

The Dems are trying to make hay over Pres. Bush attending a fundraiser on the same day (not at the same time, just the same day) he met with 9/11 families on Long Island, even though the events were scheduled separately. Besides, isn't it the environmentally friendly thing to do, to combine two different stops on the same trip? Story.

[Iowa Granny]

Good Morning.

[Iowa Granny]

What wonderful news! The power of pray is a marvelous thing.

[mountaineer]

Good morning, IG

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I just received an email from my friend overseas. He is in the Horn of Africa doing the Anti-Terrorism Task Force (Countries of: Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Kenya, Ethiopia and
stationed out of, operating out of Djibouti)

He said that they need a lot of help with CARE packages. If anyone would like to donate to the troops and children in Africa, please contact me, if you would like things sent to the Middle East, I will work on getting another address.

[mountaineer]

What types of items might be sent?

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I have some socks, hats, t-shirts, paper, pens, hot sauce, gum, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and books to send for the troops.

Bigwavebetty and I are getting together some stuffed animals and toys for the children. I have a friend who is going to donate children flip flops as well.

Anything we send is appreciated. It's getting close to easter, so the day after I will go out and get all the half price stuff. I never even thought about our guys in Africa, but I have been to the poorest areas of Ethiopia and anything they can get is a great gift.

[Endeavor]

I'd be interested in stuff going to Iraq and Afghanistan. I'd be happy to help send stuff to our troops in north Africa.

You know, it'd be great if the White House would set up an adopt a town in Iraq program and people in towns here in the US could adopt an Iraqi or Afghani town and send stuff, support the local school, etc. Americans would buy into that and feel even more like they are invested in the future of Iraq. Our kids died there - we cannot leave it to fall back into disarray.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I will keep trying to get an Iraq and Afghanistan address.

[Citizen Soldier]

I guess it must have taken that long for the Dunn and Bradstreet report to come back on Teresa (before he got back to her)

[Citizen Soldier]

Kerry announced on the deck of some aircraft carier in SC didn't he? He is a wh#re!

[Timeout]

Millions turned out in Spain today to denounce yesterday's attacks:

What an inspiring sight.

[mountaineer]

Whew! I just had a bizarre evening. My sister-in-law was in town, so I prepared a very nice dinner, she came over, we had pleasant conversation about various things - and then she proceeded to go on the attack against me, big time. Completely out of the blue and appropos of nothing, she started discussing Kerry and what a war hero he was. It never is my custom to discuss politics at dinner, but she persisted. Finally, when I said he got his Silver Star for executing a mortally wounded man - a war crime - and his Purple Hearts were all self-recommended, she jumped all over me, demanding to know my sources (and then discounting them), and belittling everything I said. I was completely taken aback. To give her the benefit of the doubt, I'll chalk some of it up to the Sauvignon Blanc, but this really was a strange, unsettling experience. I guess she has it in her mind that I'm some sort of wacko right-wing extremist who's brainwashed her poor brother.

[mountaineer]

I should have added that the photo from Spain is quite moving. As a Spanish major in college and one who has visited a few times, I just love that country, and find the bombings most upsetting. It is my hope that the Spanish government will not waver in its commitment to fighting terrorism alongside the U.S. They have been great friends.

[Iowa Granny]

What an uncomfortable situation your SIL put you in. I hope you casually mentioned the meatloaf was made with dog food.

[mountaineer]

Ha ha, I wish. It was a nice chicken marsala, alas.

[BigWaveBetty]

.Woody's outfit is perfect for that Kerry dweeb.

[BigWaveBetty]

Thank you for bringing us that touching picture. God Bless the families and loved ones of the bombing victims.