Posted on 05/23/2003 1:52:05 AM PDT by kattracks
After turning the United Nations into a diplomatic smackdown against the U.S., the Security Council has now unanimously approved an American-British resolution to lift trade and economic sanctions against Iraq. That's right, even the Gang of Three - France, Germany and Russia - voted for it. Maybe there is hope for them and for the UN.It's a political victory for the Bush administration, though the real winners are the long-suffering Iraqi people. First, they were liberated from the iron grip of Saddam Hussein. Now, they will finally reap the rewards of their nation's abundant oil supply.
The resolution ends 13 years of sanctions imposed after Saddam invaded Kuwait in 1990. It allows the U.S. and Great Britain to sell Iraq's oil and use the proceeds to rebuild the country. And there's a lot of oil, the world's second-largest reserve. The Iraqi people soon will have the cash to build and maintain the infrastructure and institutions of a functioning, tyrant-free nation.
The resolution also gives America and England control of Iraq until a new government is formed. A government that is "internationally recognized" by the UN. Secretary General Kofi Annan's hand-picked representative for Iraq will work with the allies on this.
All the newfound cooperation warms the heart, but it doesn't repair the damage done to the relationship between the U.S. and the UN and our so-called friends.
France, Germany and Russia opposed the war and tag-teamed the U.S. at every turn and in every arena possible. Paris, in particular, took great delight in thumbing its nose at Washington. The French threatened to veto U.S.-sponsored war resolutions at the UN. They thwarted a NATO resolution to come to the aid of Turkey if it was attacked by Saddam. And when several small European nations gave vocal support to the U.S., French President Jacques Chirac impolitely told them to "be quiet."
As Secretary of State Powell said yesterday, "That was not a very pleasant time for any of us, and we still have to work our way through that."
Still, Powell called the move a step "in the right direction." Yes, a baby step. When it comes to friendship and loyalty, the French have a fickle history. And while France has made a calculated decision to side with the U.S. in this instance, the basic goal of French foreign policy is to contain American power. Never forget that.
Fore!
Annika Sorenstam is not the first woman to step over from ladies professional golf to play with the boys - Babe Didrikson Zaharias did it in 1945. But her debut yesterday in the PGA Tour at the Colonial Club in Fort Worth, Tex., is nonetheless historic. And she played up to her reputation, finishing the day only six strokes behind the leader. You go, girl!
Just as Tiger Woods turned golf into a compelling spectator sport for many who couldn't have cared less about birdies and bogies, Sorenstam could bring a new wave of converts to the links.
Her presence at the PGA is not a showboating, publicity-driven stunt like the 1973 tennis match between champ Billie Jean King and professional provocateur Bobby Riggs. Indeed, the comparison is one that diminishes Sorenstam's potential achievement in Texas. Sorenstam says that for her, it's a personal challenge, akin to climbing Mount Everest. "I'm not here to prove to anybody anything," she declared. "I'm just here to test myself."
That may be the case, but - intentional or not - she's also testing the boundaries. And who better to test them than a woman who has won an amazing 43 LPGA events since turning pro in 1994?
Naysayers and male chauvinist oink-oinks are hoping Sorenstam will fail. Legions of women - and wide-eyed little girls - are eager for her to succeed, but they know that she and they already have gained something more precious than a tournament title.
Sorenstam is facing down the bitter critics and facing up to a daunting test of physical skill and mental strength (you try competing under the same pressure). Whatever the outcome, she wins.
No pitchforks, please
From the wires: ESHER, England (Reuters) - The world's first inflatable church opened its Gothic arches to worshipers to reveal a blow-up organ, a polyvinyl pulpit and an air-filled altar.
For a really uplifting service, they fill the church with helium.
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Originally published on May 23, 2003
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