IRAQ: EGYPT WILL NOT LET US WARSHIPS PASS THROUGH SUEZ CANAL

Qatar News Agency | 8/19/02

[kattracks]

AMMAN, Aug. 17, 2002 (QNA via COMTEX) -- Dr. Oasma Al Baz, political advisor to the Egyptian president, said Egypt will not allow passage through the Suez Canal of US ships headed to strike Iraq.

In statements published here Saturday he added Egypt rejects any military operation against Iraq, its territorial unity, independence and safety of Iraqi people, adding any military attack on Iraq represents a vary dangerous step endangering the security of the region.

Dr. Al Baz said the question of UN weapons inspectors is an issue which concerns the UN and the Security Council and not Washington and the US has no right to take any military action against Iraq nor has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of another country and impose a set-up of new leadership on its people.

Copyright (C) 2002 QNA. All Rights Reserved.

[bybybill]

One more BS post to plant by the Roses...ain`t going to happen

[Robert_Paulson2]

what if we don't LET Them use that big dam that keeps the nile from submerging most of egypt? is that a fair exchange? they close the canal to us, and we terminate the dam built partially with our money... no more capital city... ce la vie!

can we have the use of the canal NOW mubarak baby? Mub baby... where are you? Hope ya'll can swim...

[ASA Vet]

I've made three changes to the Map, see #27

[Robert_Paulson2]

why burn what can be flooded? take out that dam. blub blub... can real muslims actually swim? are the women allowed to swim like men, or are they required to drown rather than commit the "adultery" apparent in all mixed bathing?

[archy]

Two more points. First, I don't think any of our carriers can fit in the Suez Canal, so they transit elsewhere along with most of their supporting vessels.

I expect the USS Vincennes would fit. Think that would *send a message?*

[Prodigal Son]

Got it thanks! Might have to send that to some Arab website for fun.

[archy]

Egyptian fishermen watch the Norfolk-based carrier Theodore Roosevelt pass through the Suez Canal in Ismailiya, Egypt, 63 miles northeast of Cairo, on Saturday. The carrier was bound for the Red Sea, apparently on its way to join the military force that the U.S. is assembling in the gulf region.

Photo by Amr Nabil / Associated Press.

The Roosevelt traverses Suez Canal

The Virginian-Pilot
© October 15, 2001

[archy]

I've made three changes to the Map, see #27

Do the Rooshians know about their new warm-water port yet? Seems to me that for that possibility, they might well assist with the landscaping.

Let's see, 60 Tsar bombas, at 53 megations each....

[sharkdiver]

Here is the answer. We blow the HELL out of the Suez canal and relocate it to Isreal. Take the Palestenian people and remove them to the now blown to HELL former suez Canal. There, now the pally's have a homeland they can call their own. We now control the new Suez Canal and rename it "Pay the tarriff to send oil from the persian gulf to the woosies in the European Union." The US and Isreal now rule the roost. SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gumlegs]

Carrot ... stick ... carrot ... stick.

[Mo1]

One more BS post to plant by the Roses...ain`t going to happen

Well gee thanks .. and I didn't say it was going happen .. it was just an opinion

[arthurus]

If Uncle Sam wants to use the canal, Uncle Sam will use the canal. If the Navy does not go through Suez it is because the Navy doesn't need to. What is Egypt going to do? block the canal? fire on American warships? Are they so starved for attention that they crave a few cruise missiles of their own?

[arthurus]

F. Please go study some history, some International Relations, nation states, Islam and western Civilization and perhaps you will be a tad more relevant.

[Fabozz]

Saying that the Suez Canal is the property of Egypt is an oversimplification. Nasser seized the Suez Canal Company from the private investors who owned it in 1956—paying a market-based price, so it was more a case of eminent domain than theft. The UN validated that action, ending the Suez War. But that just deals with the land on either side of the canal, the canal equipment and so forth. The waters of the canal itself are international waters by treaty—the Constantinople Convention of 1888. At no point has the UN or Egypt contested that treaty. Indeed, the UN based its support of Egypt's seizing of the Suez Company on the Constantinople Convention itself, since that treaty specifically validated the country's (then Turkey, today Egypt) right to exercise its normal laws of ownership, including eminent domain, over the Company. But the treaty guarantees the right of all ships of all nations to use the canal at all times, except in the very limited instance when Egypt is herself a party to a conflict.

There's a pretty detailed discussion of the Suez Crisis here. You can also find any number of sources on the Constantinople Convention by plugging that phrase into a search engine.

[ASA Vet]

Here's a new close up Map of the area.
This is it's first posting anywhere.

[Lessismore]

For example, CV-67 John F. Kennedy
Feb.16 2002, left from off the coast of North Carolina, then, deployed to Northern Arabian Sea for a part of Operation Enduring Freedom
Feb.23 2002, Strait of Gibraltar, and entered the Med.
Feb.24-Feb.26 2002, Med.
Feb.27-Feb.28 2002, arrived in Souda Bay, Crete
Mar.1-Mar.2 2002, 50 miles south of Crete
Mar.4 2002, transited the Suez Canal to southward
Mar.6 2002, relieved CVN-71 in the Red Sea, and, conducted a turn-over with CVN-71, supplies from CVN-71 were transferred
Mar.11 2002, first combat sortie in the north Arabian Sea as part of Operation Enduring Freedom
Mar.11-Jul.16 2002, Northern Arabian Sea, part of Operation Enduring Freedom
Jul.19 2002, was formally relieved of its duties in the Arabian Gulf by CVN-73 George Washington
Jul.24 2002, heads north through the Suez Canal
Jul.25 2002, Med
Jul.26 2002, pulled in to Marmaris, Turkey
Aug.3 2002, pulled in to Tarragona, Spain for a short port visit
Aug.8 2002, passed through the Strait of Gibraltar, and entered the EastLant

CVN-73 George Washington
Jun.20 2002, departed Norfolk for a six-month overseas deployment that likely will take most to the Arabian Sea and the continuing war against terrorism. And, will relieve CV-67 John F. Kennedy Battle group, whose return date has not yet been announced.
Jun.27 2002, transits the Atlantic Ocean as she begins a regularly scheduled six month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch.
Jul.1 2002, transited the Strait of Gibraltar
Jul.1-Jul.3 2002, Med
Jul.4-Jul.7 2002, Souda Bay, Crete, Greece
Jul.8 2002, departed Souda Bay, Crete, Greece
Jul.13 2002, entered the Suez Canal
Jul.16-Jul.17 2002, Red Sea
Jul.19 2002, relieved CV-67 John F. Kennedy in providing support of Operation Enduring Freedom
Jul.21-Aug.11 2002, Northern Arabian Sea, part of Operation Enduring Freedom

[ASA Vet]

There's a new Map which might be better for the classroom,
at post 155.

[F16Fighter]

Teddy R. was THE man...He didn't believe in diddling around, and he sure as heck didn't mind using the "big stick" when the situation called for it.

[Leisler]

[alphadog]

"How can we ever overcome the military might of Egypt?"

To quote P.J. O'Rourke... (sp?)" When was the last time Egypt won a war since the invention of gunpowder"