U.S. links Iraq contracts to future assistance

MSNBC ^ | 12-10-03

[gathersnomoss]

George, please do not go back on your word. I appreciate your stand.

[SJackson]

I might give a pass to Jordan, though if I did I'd give one to Germany too (heck, I'd even give Israel a pass), but how did the Saudi's and Egypt, or Jordan, "covertly" support us. I remember Egypt delaying a couple of busses of jihadis heading to Syria to pick up their passports and kill Americans. IMO, that's no big deal, they got there anyway. All three attack us in their press daily, their local press, for local consumption, not the "covert" English language stuff. The Saudi's, their border is porus. If a pro-US regieme emerges in Iraq, they'll be a threat for years.

I'd be glad to exclude Germany and France if we excluded other non coalition members like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Morroco, and a few others that didn't support us when it mattered. I'

[Prodigal Son]

I already told you. Jordan allowed our troops to stage out of their territory. The Saudis did the same- although not to the same level that they did in Desert Storm. I have not mentioned Egypt. Allowing troops to stage out of their territories was more than "ally" Turkey did if you will recall.

But I, for one, am grateful for Jordan allowing us to stage out of their land. If they get a fitting slice of the pie, I have no trouble with this.

Define support. I think where you and I see things differently is what you consider support and what not. To me, it makes no difference what is said in public if a leader must use that rhetoric to molliy his own people because of realpolitik. Words are only vibrations in the air that don't necessarily add up to much. Actions are what count. As long as that leader supports us where the rubber meets the road- this is support in my book. Jordan clearly qualifies here.

[Prodigal Son]

"mollify"

[stylin19a]

Not so sure it's carrot & stick. The EU today threatened to take the contract exclusions to the WTC. And the US has been getting creamed in WTC appeals.