Our support of Saddam during the Iran/Iraq war consisted of intelligence and was entirely consistent with our National Interest. Remember this was during REAGAN'S term of office
Just one more reply. I won't let what you posted go unchallenged. We did in fact arm Iraq with weapons sales and no it wasn't simply intelligence. I have a source that is noted for accuracy.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/library/report/gao/nsi94098.htm This unclassified version of a classified 1992 GAO report discusses U.S. policy and practices on sales of U.S. military equipment to Iraq during the 1980s. Since 1980, U.S. policy has been to deny export licenses for commercial sales of defense items to Iraq, and the Pentagon has not made any foreign military sales to Iraq since 1967. In contrast, U.S. policy on sales to Iraq of dual-use items--items with both civilian and military uses--has not been constrained by security controls. As a result, the Commerce Department approved licenses for exporting $1.5 billion worth of dual-use items between 1985 and 1990. The licensed items included computers and other high-tech equipment, civilian helicopters, and machine tools. In addition, several countries shipped U.S. military equipment to Iraq without U.S. approval, including ammunition and howitzer spare parts. In five cases, countries proposed that they serve as transshipment points for military equipment for Iraq, proposals that the State Department rejected.
Now as for Saddam rising to power? We labeled him a terrorist threat after the 1967 Israeli war but he was no serious threat at the time nor considered a major leader. Now theres a nation who didn't mess around in war and that's Israel. No asking Mommy U.N. for permission and resolutions, just do it, get it done, and get out. In six days they kicked their neighbors tails. BTW they later also kicked Saddam's. A favor few remember.
Yes we helped armed Saddam sometime knowingly and sometime wink wink not knowingly. A good case for not selling our weapons to other nations can be made right here. Especially not selling to M.E. nations. We for a decade kept this man in power and did business with him including the famed handshake with a certain U.S. official. As for Iran and Iraq ever being true allies? Forget it. They unite to fight a third party and after that it's business as usual as it has been for thousands of years. Back to tribal warfare.
Our foreign policy especially as written by one Gerald R Ford made the benign to the rest of the civilized world Saddam, Momar, Yasir, Idi, and the others threats to the free world because when Jerry signed the E.O. stopping covert assissanations of foreign leaders terrorist attacks and state sponsored terrorism grew like wildfire. What did these guys have to fear from the U.S.? Nothing. Death was taken away as an option. It really isn't a challange in disproving you. You believe every single thing Party leaders say without verification. I don't :>} I also bothered to actually read Duncan and Paul's reasons. I pretty much agree. The U.S. State Department who seems to be a major source of dis-information in this whole mess? No I don't believe or trust them.
Don't you even read what you post? We stopped selling arms to Iraq in 1967 according to YOUR article. Iraq's armaments were overwhelmingly SOVIET with the next in line FRANCE. There was almost NO American weapons or weapons systems except as were obtained without US approval from third parties. Saddam was armed by FRANCE and the USSR. That FACT will not stop you from trotting out the LIES of the Leftists claiming otherwise I am sure.
"We for a decade kept this man in power..." WOW you are posting the complete DU playbook aren't you? There is a big difference between "keeping" someone in power and not removing him. He kept himself in power.
The rest of your post is sheer crap as well. How many Middle Eastern terror leaders were assassinated by the US prior to Ford's EO? I'll wait dadadadadeedeeda. OK times up. NONE