Posted on 03/20/2006 9:57:47 AM PST by tallhappy
President Bush stated he backs NATO action in Darfur, Sudan.
We cannot post Bloomberg reports.
Link is
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aDNXqYudDVlk&refer=top_world_news
Bush's words:
___
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release March 20, 2006
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH
AND NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER
IN A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
The Oval Office
10:16 A.M. EST
PRESIDENT BUSH: Fine-looking crowd we've attracted here, fine-looking crowd.
Mr. Secretary General, thanks for coming. We've just had a wide-ranging discussion on a variety of issues, which is what you'd expect when allies and friends come together. We discussed Iraq, and I want to thank NATO for its involvement in helping train Iraqi security forces so they can end up protecting the Iraqi people from the -- from those who want to kill innocent life in order to affect the outcome of that democracy.
I want to thank you very much for your strong involvement in Afghanistan. A NATO presence in Afghanistan is really important. I learned that firsthand when I went to Afghanistan and talked to President Karzai and his government. They were very supportive of the mission -- and thankful for the mission. NATO was effective, and that's one of the things that really important for our citizens to understand, that our relationship with NATO is an important part of helping us to win the war on terror.
We also talked about Darfur and the Sudan. I'd called the Secretary General earlier this year. I talked to him about a strategy that would enable NATO to take the lead in Darfur. However, some things have to happen prior to that happening, and the first thing is that the African Union must request from the United Nations a U.N. mission to convert the AU mission to a U.N. mission, at which point that's done, the -- NATO can move in with United States help within -- inside of NATO -- to make it clear to the Sudanese government that we're intent upon providing security for the people there, and intent upon helping work toward a lasting peace agreement.
And so I appreciate your understanding of that. The first time I made the phone call to the Secretary General he fully understood the challenge, fully understood the need, and it was great to work with a friend in peace to devise a strategy on how to move forward.
So thanks for coming. Looking forward to the meeting later on this year, big NATO summit. And I'm convinced that, like the last summit we had, you'll lead that meeting with the efficiency and professionalism that you're known for.
SECRETARY GENERAL DE HOOP SCHEFFER: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Let me echo what the President has been saying about NATO delivering, about NATO making the difference. In Afghanistan the fight against terror is an extremely important element there. NATO indeed assists in the African Union in Darfur, and I'm quite sure, as I've told the President, that when the U.N. comes, the NATO allies will be ready to do more in enabling the United Nations force in Darfur.
NATO assisted after Hurricane Katrina. NATO had a major humanitarian operation in Pakistan. NATO is in the Balkans. All 26 NATO allies participate in one way or the other in the training mission in Iraq. Now I want to see NATO-trained Iraqi officers taking their responsibility in fighting the terrorists in their own country.
In other words, NATO is delivering. And in the run-up to the NATO summit in Riga at the end of the year, as the President mentioned, we'll make sure -- NATO will make sure that this will be an important event.
In NATO's outreach, as he mentioned -- the Middle East, North Africa, Israel, Jordan, the nations of the Gulf -- NATO's contacts with other nations who share our values -- we have Australia, Japan, South Korea -- in other words, we'll see to it that the military agenda of NATO and the political agenda of NATO will be very seriously addressed in Riga. And I'm very glad for the support, the permanent support, and the friendship of our most important ally, the United States, and its leader, President Bush.
Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you. Yes, good. Thank you.
END 10:20 A.M. EST
___
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2006/03/bush_meets_with_nato_chiefjaap.html
I thought Bush didn't like Black people? What he doing helping out in Sudan?
This is from the preamble to the North Atlantic Treaty (April 4, 1949). Bold text has been highlighted by me.
Sure sounds like ethnic strife in Sudan fits NATO's mission statement perfectly. /sarcasm off/
What does the U.N. say???
What are they doing???(...crickets....)
It's a confrontation with China as well; they provide arms to the Sudan government. It's the "blood for oil" program that no one talks about.
Interesting comment. I appreciate it.
When Arab Muslims perpetuate a slaughter against non-Muslims, the world turns a blind eye.
They will excuse it by saying the Infidel was given a chance to convert, and chose not to.
Why doesn't Bush tell France "it's your turn".
The constant use of taxpayer money to control every spot on the globe is killing this nation's taxpayers. I was born a USA citizen--Bush is forcing me to be a planet earth philanthropist.
You think France cares. They just care about their own tax money. They might lose their jobs for life and accompanying state mandated month long vacations.
I'd view this as another positive post-ports development. I'm guessing Bush is feeling some pressure to act in the wake of the Dubai scandal. I give him credit for recognizing the popular sentiment of US Christians. This ratchets things up a notch, and is sure to anger Islamofascist sympathizers here and in Europe forcing their hand.
NATO should do something besides bomb bridges over the Danube, or it should be disbanded.
The Islamofascists declared war on us, not vice-versa. Better to fight on the enemy's home turf. Avoids threats to our infrastructure.
I have mixed-feelings myself about the way WoT is being conducted. Seems like we're engaging this as more of a babysitting/philanthropic venture than a war. I'm going to be very disappointed if we don't move on Iran militarily within the next 60 days.
Even without the nuclear situation, Iran is at war with us and Bush has done nothing about it. Iran makes the IEDs that are killing our troops, and they are the home to many terrorist organizations, and Iran funds these thugs.
Bush said, "either you are with us or you are with the terrorists" yet both Syria and Iran are engaging war with us that Bush refuses to counter. In fact, BUSH HAS SENT CHARITY $$$ to Iran!
There are ways to fight the War on Terror besides spending 1/2 TRILLION dollars and 18,000 casualities:
--financial warfare, such as stopping all aid to nations supporting Iraq and ending funding of the UN, or at least the World Bank and the IMF, that sends BILLIONS to these nations from American taxpayers.
--diplomatic warfare, such as ending diplomatic relations with nations supporting Iraq.
--airpower. Even though Iran is at war with us, we could be bombing the hell out of them. Bomb every last economic and military target they have. We don't need troops to do that. This ground troop nation building crap is nuts. I'm of Arabic descent, and I know this region of the world will always be in turmoil and controlled by radicals. We can raise taxes 50% and spend $3 TRILLION more in Iraq, but it will not change the culture of radicalism that is in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and other Middle East areas.
--assassination of leaders.
--SOF forces where needed.
Yes, we taxpayers are being forced to be planet earth philanthropists instead of USA citizens.
My tagline sums it up.
I fully expect French military and/or intelligence officials to leak info to the Sudanese government similar to what they did in operational phase of the Kosovo military deployment.
Chirac's family is very close knit to the board members of Total Fina Elf, the 2nd largest oil producing corporation in Sudan.
Well it does position us to help keep an eye on Chinese activities in the region and to mute some of their influence. Look for at least some muted oppositional statements from the Chinese concerning Bush's announcement. The Somali pirates aren't going to be happy about it either since this means American involvement means a long term naval presence off the coasts.
The jig is up....money and weapons to terrorist Warlords are going to be interdicted!
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