Posted on 09/23/2004 9:18:29 PM PDT by Rokke
I just watched the rerun of O'Reilly's 2001 interview with Kerry discussing the need to invade Iraq. In that interview, Kerry said the following: "I mean, I was in Safwan. I went there when the signing of the armistice took place at the end of the war." I've watched the video of the cease-fire signing at Safwan. It was still in a combat zone. I don't remember seeing anyone but military officers. Can anyone provide additional insight, or has Kerry lied again.
"3 Mar 91 Cease-fire talks at Safwan "
Did he get a purple heart when he was there?
From Global Security:
Iraq formally acceeded to coalition terms for a permanent cease-fire at a meeting at Safwan Airfield on March 3, 1991. Safwan Airfield is located six kilometers west of the intersection near Safwan, in Southeastern Iraq, just north of the Kuwait-Iraq border.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/library/imint/safwan.htm
Iraq formally acceeded to coalition terms for a permanent cease-fire at a meeting at Safwan Airfield on March 3, 1991. Safwan Airfield is located six kilometers west of the intersection near Safwan, in Southeastern Iraq, just north of the Kuwait-Iraq border.
The choice of Safwan Airfield as the site for the formal cease-fire ceremony was dictated by a number of factors. These included Gen. Schwarzkopf's desire to conduct a hold the meeting deep inside Iraq so as to reinforce the idea that the Iraqis had been defeated. The location also had to be road-accessible so as to permit the Iraqi delegation to reach it. Safwan Airfield was eventually selected, although it still remained in Iraqi possession.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/library/imint/safwan.htm
hmmm, that would mean John was partying at the time of the sogning.
Nothing of pertinence to this topic yet it shows some things never change. http://www.boston.com/globe/nation/packages/kerry/062103.shtml
Thanks
True they talked about it on the 3rd, but did not sign anything.
He went at the behest of the french to begin normalization of the West's relationships with Sadaam... and pass him a note from the French leadership at that time. a love note no doubt.
... just kidding of course.
Great pics! I agree with you, he's not in any of them.
I'm *shocked* he might be lying. John F'n Kerry wouldn't need to LIE about his place in history now, would he? ;)
opps...signing*
Christian Science Monitor Mar 4, 1991
WAR IN THE GULFIraqi commanders agreed on all matters raised at cease-fire talks with allied military chiefs, Gen. R. Norman Schwarzkopf announced Sunday. The agreement included the immediate release of all prisoners of war and provisions for an allied withdrawal from occupied Iraqi territory once the cease-fire arrangements are completed and the document is signed. Iraqi and allied generals met at Safwan air base inside Iraq. Two unidentified Iraqi generals had sat grim-faced across a wooden table in a military tent opposite General Schwarzkopf and Saudi Lt. Gen. Prince Khalid bin Sultan. The two sides focused on UN Security Council Resolution 686, adopted late on Saturday, which dictates a number of terms to Iraq for a permanent cease-fire, including the following: that Iraq rescind its order annexing Kuwait, accept in principle liability for loss, damage, or injury arising out of its invasion and occupation of Kuwait, arrange for immediate release of all prisoners of war and of all Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, immediately begin to return all Kuwaiti property. The coalition has warned repeatedly that hostilities could quickly resume if Iraq does not comply. Meanwhile, Saddam Hussein on Sunday pulled back two mechanized brigades from the Turkish border, possibly to protect Baghdad from allied attack. US military sources also speculated Saddam might use the forces to protect his regime from a coup.
Did Kerry Lie to "Kerry Lied About Attending the Signing of the Gulf-War Ceasefire"
http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/dstorm/dsmar.htm
"17 March
Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols and minesweeping operations. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions. U.S./coalition military officials meet with 10 Iraqi military officers at Safwan Airfield, rejects Iraqi request to move aircraft around the country. Iraq warned that any Iraqi warplanes that fly would be shot down.
Crew of USS TRIPOLI (LPH-10) awarded Combat Action Ribbon for being endangered by enemy mine attack on 18 February. USS TRIPOLI remains in Bahrain port undergoing repairs."
*Ping*
http://www.strategypage.com/iraqwar/americanpolicy/14.asp says ..."To enforce the no-fly zones, the two allies invoke U.N. Resolution 678 (November 29, 1990, authorizing use of force to expel Iraq from Kuwait), 687 (the main ceasefire resolution), 688 (human rights), and the Safwan Accords (the March 3, 1991 cease-fire agreements between Iraq and the coalition forces that banned Iraqi interference with allied air operations)."..... You're correct that it doesn't mention an actual signing.
Here you go: http://www.jewishworldreview.com/michael/kelly091802.asp , it confirms the 3/3/91 signing with the U.N. Resolution in April.
http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/dstorm/dsmar.htm
3 April
By 12-1 vote, U.N. Security Council approves Resolution 687 to formally end Gulf War. Terms, which become effective when Iraq agrees, are:
Iraq must give up weapons of mass destruction. U.N. will inspect and monitor the destruction and removal of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Iraq forbidden from using, developing or acquiring any additional weapons.
Iraq must compensate Kuwait for war damages, including environmental.
Establishment of a demilitarized zone extending 6 miles into Iraq, 3 miles into Kuwait. U.N. observer unit will monitor.
Recognizes and guarantees 1963 borders between Iraq and Kuwait.
Requires Iraq to condemn and renounce terrorism, halt support for international terrorism, forbids terrorist organizations from operating on Iraqi temtory.
Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols, minesweeping and maritime interception operations. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions.
USS AMERICA (CV-66), USS NORMANDY (CG-60), and USS WILLIAM V. PRATT (DDG-44) transit Suez Canal enroute CONUS.
VADM Stanley R. Arthur, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander Seventh Fleet, RADM Raynor A.K. Taylor, Commander Middle East Force and RADM Robert Sutton, Commander U.S. Naval Logistics Support Force are awarded the Order of Bahrain, First Degree by the Amir of Bahrain for their outstanding professional contributions during OPERATION DESERT STORM.
4 April
At D + 77, naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols, minesweeping and maritime interception operations. To-date, 8,645 merchant ships have been challenged, 1,116 boarded and 59 diverted. The Navy has conducted 582 boardings. There are 42 Navy ships in the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Northern Arabian Sea. There are 10 Navy ships in the Red Sea. There are 21 Navy ships in the Mediterranean. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions, continue redeployments.
DOD reports there are 365,000+ U.S. personnel in the theater (42,500+ Navy, 52,000+ USMC). To-date, 175,000+ have redeployed to the U.S. (42,500 Navy, 42,000 USMC). To-date, 1,081 Naval and 4,245 Marine Reservists have been demobilized; 18,038 Naval and 26,303 Marine Reservists are on active duty.
DOD revises U.S. casualty data: 139 KIA, 2 (Died from combat wounds). 113 Non-combat fatalities. 357 WIA, 6 MIA (3 Navy. 0 USMC) O POW.
Sealift update: To-date, 33 MSC ships have loaded out (totalling 135,000 tons of cargo and equipment) or have been turned around are underway to CONUS. This includes Fast Sealift Ships USNS BELLATRIX,
USNS ALTAIR, and USNS REGULUS plus 12 Ready Reserve Force ships, two Prepositioning Ships, 15 charters and one ship under MSC charter. 36 MSC ships are loading or waiting to load.
5 April
Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols, minesweeping and maritime interception operations. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions, redeploy. Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) 42, Detachment 6, arrives at NAVSTA Mayport FL homeport. During six month embarkation aboard USS MOOSBRUGGER, squadron conducted 100+ merchant vessel identifications and/or challenges enforcing United Nations trade sanctions.
6 April
Iraq accepts United Nations terms for a formal cease-fire in the Persian Gulf War. Naval forces continue counter air-defensive, combat air patrols, minesweeping and maritime interception operations. USS TRIPOLI returns to duty following successful repairs and sea tAals. Marine ground forces hold defensive positions, redeploy. USS MOOSBRUGGER (DD-980) arrives at NAVBASE Charleston SC homeport. During a seven-and-a-half month deployment, the destroyer conducted 67 searches and boardings of merchant ships, including the first boarding of a vessel, confronted a Soviet ship carrying personal and household items for the Iraqi military, carried the Navy SEAL Insertion Forces used to board uncooperative vessels, and escorted convoys transporting troops to Saudi Arabia.
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