Posted on 09/09/2004 10:42:11 AM PDT by AWestCoaster
Linda Vester interviewed Bill Gertz on his new book 'Treachery.'
Some of the findings:
French government looked other way while arms dealers provided weapons to terrorists BEFORE and AFTER the Iraq war started.
French passports were provided to certain Iraqis to help them out of the country.
Russia provided terrorists expertise to jam our GPS bombs. Pres. Bush called Putkin to tell him to knock it off or Russians in Iraq would be potential targets.
And it bit them hard, very hard.
Russian ambassador's convoy to Syria?
Russia has been cleaning up its act. France, though, is totally mercenary.
/john
Please, tell me again why we would have wanted either of these countries in our coalition.
The Russians were deeply involved in the 1st Gulf War. We avoided each other but did have an encounter or two. It was obvious they were providing technical assistance.
And, all for money.Pure GREED.
No wonder Chirac and Putin didn't join in the coalition forces. Cowards! Hey Mr. Putin: These Islamic crazies paid you back real good. Wonder what the Russian people are feeling given the latest instance of islamic payback.
Mercenary is far too dignified for them. Cheep whores is more accurate.
These are the countries that Kerry and his Kerrycrat comrades say we should reach out to for support in "the war on terror." We must remember to be "sensitive" to them.
The Russian action was reported a year ago. Now they are reaping what they've sown.
Will the MSM ask Kerry how he could have got France to act otherwise?
It's too little, too late. Russia has enjoyed the "Great Game" with the West for nearly 200 years. I don't think that Chechnya/Al Qaeda terrorists are enough to change Russia's old habits.
Maybe....but they'd better learn to feed and pay their military before they go popping off about taking on terrorists anywhere on the globe.
I wonder if the $$ was worth it, now it is tainted not only with the blood of the Coalition fighters...but with the blood of little innocent children. What an awful thing to have on their hands....may God have mercy on their souls.
Another ignored nugget:
Press Release:
House International Relations Committee
Benjamin A. Gilman, Chairman
October 27, 2000
GILMAN, HELMS DEMAND ANSWERS ON SANCTIONS-VIOLATING FLIGHTS INTO IRAQ
WASHINGTON (October 27) – U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, sent the following letter today to Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright concerning sanctions against Iraq:
October 27, 2000
Dear Madam Secretary:
We suspect that you are extremely concerned, as we certainly are, about the increasing number of sanctions-violating flights into Iraq. Needless to say, it is not surprising that these flights have been initiated by Russia and France, both of which are permanent members of the Security Council.
Following the lead of Russia and France, other countries have likewise flown into Iraq. Among these countries are recipients of significant amounts of U.S. foreign aid.
This, Madam Secretary, is outrageous.
Since August, Russia has permitted three direct commercial flights to Baghdad, requesting permission for only two of those flights from the U.N. Sanctions Committee. We understand that Russia does not view these flights as sanctions violations.
In your testimony last month before the Foreign Relations Committee, you emphasized that this is not the U.S. position; specifically, you made clear that the United States believes "that these flights need approval, and . . . I think that absent any new kind of consensus, the [Sanctions Committee] will continue . . . to operate under practices of the last 10 years, that these flights require approval, not just notification."
Sanctions are a vital tool in denying Saddam Hussein the funding and supplies necessary for him to pursue weapons of mass destruction. Vigilance is all the more urgent, given the absence of weapons inspectors in Iraq for nearly two years.
Being fully committed, as we are, to ensuring that this despot does not develop the weapons to threaten the United States, our allies, or our interests, we acknowledge that this will be increasingly difficult if Saddam’s neighbors (and our allies and aid recipients) continue to violate the sanctions intended to protect them.
Madam Secretary, two points: 1) In your view, absent permission from the sanctions committee, do these flights constitute sanctions violations? And (2) Under the terms of Section 534 of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act of 2000, do you agree that no assistance should be provided to nations in violation of U.N. sanctions on Iraq?
Please let us hear from you as to how Section 534 applies to the countries in violation of UN sanctions, and in particular to Russia and Egypt, two flagrant violators who receive billions in U.S. foreign aid.
We urgently need your response, Madam Secretary.
Sincerely,
(signed) (signed)
JESSE HELMS BENJAMIN A. GILMAN
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.