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.

[RightWhale]

Good start! Russia finally gets their warm water port.

[johniegrad]

Oh, look, they're Muslim fishing.

[Dog Gone]

After reading this book, I know how he would have handled this.

[bert]

.....So this could easily be posturing for domestic political effect. We'll find out.....

It could also mean that all the ships that matter have already transited the Suez Canal.... It may be sooner than the presstitutes think.

[nightdriver]

"How about the Sea of Suez?"

Love it, Vet!! We could even get Russia to help us, because this would give them the warm-water port that they've never had.

[ArrogantBustard]

Speak softly, and carry a big stick.

[Consort]

Suez Governorate

Suez Canal Authority

[ohioman]

Comparing an imminent attack on Iraq with the Japs attack on Pearl Harbor is a predictable response from you "Blame America First" types.

[BlueNgold]

"You are either WITH us or AGAINST us."

Add another to the list!

[USMMA_83]

Sea of Suez is a great idea. How about extending the South China Seas westwards a l'il bit and renaming it the China Seas or the South Mongolia Sea.

[billhilly]

Dr. Oasma Al Baz must not have been around in late 1956. He could learn something about ultimatums from a similar situation in which Britain, Israel and France, in a quick air strike, closed the canal to everyone.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

I think we just seize the Sinai peninsula, Suez Canal, and any other part of Egypt we may find to our need. We've already paid the ingrates enough for it already.

And while we're at it, why not give the Sinai to the Palis? Move them there. Israel assumes soveriegnty over the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Build a 50 ft high wall between Israel and the Sinia. Then the Egyptians can enjoy closer proximity to their brothers, the peace-loving Palis. Middle East problem solved. GW can send my consulting fee to Free Republic. :O)

[hflynn]

Minotr point. Dr. Al Baz's 1st name is mispelled in the article. It is not "Oasma". It is "Osama" it is definitely Osama as in following article:

Al Baz: If peace fails, there will be other Arab alternatives

Egypt, Politics, 12/8/1997

Political advisor to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak Dr. Osama Al Baz confirmed that Egypt had no intention to boycott the Middle East-North Africa Summit that was held in Doha, but the Israeli intransigence in the peace process led to this boycott. He added that Israel is responsible for the current crisis in the Middle East.

[Cold Heat]

And they could stop us how?

[johnb838]

Egypt gets $2 billion/yr courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer

Wasn't there something last week about the administration telling Egypt that we are not going to approve any additional aid to them because they're being uncooperative? Could this be their 'response'?

Also -- re "Blame America First". I remember fondly how RWR used to smirk about the "purveyors of doom and gloom" and they NEVER got the best of him. Never!

[BlueNgold]

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for 'Freedom of Navigation' operations. Give the Surface Line some TV time for once. For those of you who don't remember, please review your notes on Libya (80's), The Straits of Taiwan (Circa 96), Bosporous (80's)et al.

[arm958]

After reading this book, I know how he would have handled this.

If T.R. were President today, Saudi Arabia would have become a U.S. territory months ago. Great book. IMHO, the first volume (The Rise of Theodore Rossevelt) was even better. It ought to be required reading in American History classes. I'm not holding my breath though, the NEA probably views Roosevelt as some sort of proto-Nazi.

[Bobby777]

notice you don't see the ones who always complain about how much money we give to Israel, say a peep about how much we give to Egypt ... hmmmmmm ...

[realpatriot71]

LOL - Saddam is funny. At this point I don't think we're too worried over who is going to "let" us do anything - moral or not, we're going to do it cause we CAN and anyone else's sovereignty be damned!

So much for principle . . .

[OldFriend]

President Bush has already announced that he was withholding financial aid to Egypt. Guess this is their ansewr.

We shall see.....in the end who wins this war.

It is clear that Egypt does NOT want anymore palestinian or Iraqi refugees flooding their country.