INCREASING IMPATIENCE (End Dipomacy NOW!)

The Oklahoman ^ | 14 March 2003 | Editorial Board

[PhiKapMom]

Increasing Impatience

2003-03-14
The Oklahoman

NEW POLLING suggests a growing number of Americans think the United Nations is mismanaging the Iraq crisis. According to a survey conducted by the New York Times and CBS News, 58 percent believe the U.N. is bungling the Iraq situation -- up 10 points from a month ago -- and 55 percent would support U.S.-led military operations against Saddam Hussein's regime even without the blessing of the Security Council.

The result isn't surprising.

Since President Bush brought the issue before the U.N. last fall Americans have witnessed serial Iraqi lies, deceptions and non-compliance -- resulting in dithering from a Security Council unwilling to enforce its own disarmament demands.

Prohibited rockets and bombs slowly have been found, as well as evidence of weapons of mass destruction -- all of which Iraq denied having. Even so, France, Russia and others on the council won't acknowledge that Iraq isn't disarming and stubbornly block the use of force to get the job done.

The Security Council is losing credibility with an American public that just doesn't believe it stands for anything.

Not helping the U.N.'s standing are reports this week that the chief of the world body's weapons inspections arm, Hans Blix, failed to tell council members last week that Iraq is developing combat drones and cluster bombs that can unleash chemical and biological agents.

Blix also didn't tell the council that Iraq continues to deceive his inspectors about what it did with vast stores of chemical and biological agents, including anthrax.

The revelations were buried in Blix's 173-page written report but not mentioned in his highly publicized oral presentation to the council last Friday.

Why? Most likely because Blix, a disciple of perpetual inspections, knows the developments underscore Iraqi non- compliance and would erode the positions of council members who want to continue inspections indefinitely.

Asked whether the Bush administration believes Blix deliberately left important items out of his testimony, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said, "That's why there are questions, and I'm sure those questions will get answered."

We suppose so. Maybe Secretary-General Kofi Annan will get on that one and report back in six months.

For now, it's becoming clearer to more and more Americans that the time for diplomatic maneuvering and report- giving should end soon, and that freedom-defending countries should join the United States in holding Saddam Hussein accountable.

[PhiKapMom]

This is from a flyover country paper which represents the views of the vast majority of folks out here.

Time for diplomacy to end and get on with it before Saddam strikes first.

[Wait4Truth]

What a wonderful editorial!!! It represents my feelings 100%! Clinton said yesterday that Hans Blix should be the one to determine whether we go to war or not. Aren't you glad he is not leading this country right now? Let's get on with it - my patience is GONE!

[PhiKapMom]

I cannot speak for the entire flyover country but I can speak to the area I live in and everyone I meet is fed up with this sham of the United Nations and the continual diplomacy going on with no results.

SoS Powell's comments yesterday to the Congress was made fun of by our locals -- we can either have a vote or not have a vote. Now that was profound.

I have been a longtime Bush supporter but the UN has oulived its usefulness and time for the President to carry through on his statement that we are prepared to lead a coalition of the willing and do just that! Tell the United Nations time is up.

I am tired of this deal to prop up Blair at home as well -- we have almost 300,000 troops in the area and we cannot afford to play diplomacy right now with Saddam positioning his weapons along the border in defiance.

[PhiKapMom]

I am with 100%! Hans Blix must go and so must the United Nations. Time for them all to get out of the way!

[PhiKapMom]

It is my candidate for the best editorial pages in the Country!

We also had an editorial this morning by Cal Thomas on declaring the UN irrelevant!

[Tax Government]

>> Clinton said yesterday that Hans Blix should be the one to determine whether we go to war or not.

Let's impeach the b*****rd again!

[Galtoid]

The liberation of Iraq will result in the dissolution of the U.N. Bush has brilliantly isolated and exposed the Left in the process, as well. He acquiesced to the Left's pleas to go to the U.N. He didn't "rush to war."
What has transpired?
1) The exposure of the Security Council as nothing but a "talking shop" run by tinhorn dictators

2) The exposure of France as a diplomatic enemy of the U.S.

3) The exposure of the Leftist Peaceniks as Saddam's allies

4) The "education and illumination" of one Colin Powell.
The SOS has been taken to the woodshed, and has perhaps
learned a crucial lesson that diplomacy only works when
innocent lives aren't at risk.

[ZULU]

"The Security Council is losing credibility with an American public that just doesn't believe it stands for anything. "

It should.

We should stop pleading with third world nations to effectuate our national rights.

We should pull out of the U.N., stop ALL financial support for the, and evict them from U.S. Territory.

[PhiKapMom]

We should pull out of the U.N., stop ALL financial support for the, and evict them from U.S. Territory.

I am 100% agreement with your statement!

[TLBSHOW]

this is how the news is twisting it already..


On the verge of an embarrassing diplomatic defeat, the administration backpedaled from its statements that it was time for the 15 members of the council to stand up and be counted.


At a news conference last week, Bush said he was prepared for a vote, win or lose. "No matter what the whip count is, we're calling for the vote. We want to see people stand up and say what their opinion is about Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) and the utility of the United Nations (news - web sites)," he said.

BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer

[dalebert]

Well the Brits are not known for outstanding war strategy and the UN wants money. Cost in lives is what I am concerned with. Blairs unpopularity at home in part has a lot to do with a "no new taxes" statement he made and now he is asking for more new taxes. His poll numbers should not come above what is right and the lives of thousands of military people. The longer we wait the more at risk they are. I would love to see us walk away from the UN befor they totally destroy this country.

[Trust but Verify]

This is the only positive thing to come of this mess so far. One has to hope we've hit bottom and there's nowhere to go but up.

[PhiKapMom]

His poll numbers should not come above what is right and the lives of thousands of military people.

That is exactly what I am concerned about. Blair keeps reminding more of Clinton, his best buddy, with his delay, delay, delay, and then compromise. In the process, Blair is making Bush look weak. IMO Blair has put his own skin over the interest of the military in the Middle East that is standing ready to liberate Kuwait.

Not sure Blair ever thought it would get to the point of war so he gladly got on board with the President! Now that it has and his poll numbers have tanked, he seems wobbly!

[PhiKapMom]

We have hit bottom alright. Fox News just reported that Blair is negotiating with France on the 120-day time limit that France has demanded to lessen the time frame.

Good thing I started out with low blood pressure because it is rapidly rising!

[Trust but Verify]

If you make this kind of statement, you have to back it up. Take the vote, let the chips fall where they may. Make no promises to countries to get their vote, only let them know America will remember their support or lack thereof. Period.

[Trust but Verify]

Good Lord.

[PhiKapMom]

When that came from the Fox reporter at the UN I almost threw something at my TV. I am IM with another Freeper who heard the same thing. We are both less than impressed -- more like angry at Blair.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

It appears this morning that the effort to get either a "second resolution" or some other kind of extra international cover for the attack is heating back up again -- what else to make of the Azores/Palestinian State events?

Blair's wobblies may have been worse than we've considered.

[rrrod]

i have requested permission to go to the bath room from the security council.........hope the grant me permission soon!