White House Dismisses Iraqi Offer

Associated Press ^ | Sep 16, 2002 | GEORGE GEDDA

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Thank God. Bush is no Charley Brown, not going to try for Lucy's football. Dick Armey's famous words, 'The definition of insanity is to do the same thing the same way again and again, and expect a different result.'

Returning weapons inspectors is insane. Ironically, Dick Armey was opposed to attacking Iraq, if I'm not mistaken. Go figure.

[tet68]

What hath the demonrats wrought?
I believe the French and Germans are in this up to their necks!
Did any of this catch you unawares? Then you haven't been paying attention.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Now the DNC has more rope to hang itself with. Muahahahah! I just know that some of the rats are going to grab for this last lifeline. I feel it in my bones. Hehehe.

[BOBTHENAILER]

If Iraq's regime continues to defy us and the world, (the United States) will move deliberately yet decisively to hold Iraq to account," with or without the United Nations, Bush said.

I think that about sums up the feeling.

[Wait4Truth]

I hope President Bush uses whatever ammo he has against France and Germany. If they have connections to Iraq that are helping Saddam to build his WMD, the President should vow to expose them unless they get onboard.

[Hunble]

While Iraq and the Democrats enjoy their "time out", the U.S. Military will be getting ready.

Sooner or later, Iraq will defy an inspection request and they won't know what hit them.

[SHKMAN1212]

This would be great news for those who don't want to be forced into war if a) Iraq was inviting inspectors in instead of promising to talk about how to invite inspectors in, b) Iraq had actually addressed Bush's demands and c) Iraq could be trusted to keep its word if it had made such promises.

Seems to me that Kofi and Co. are just looking for a way to lay down some speed bumps and slow down Bush Justice...unfortunately for him I don't think this commander-in-chief is going to be impressed.

[Wphile]

...but France objected strongly to the Bush administration's insistence that Saddam must go...

Ahhhh...viva La France - NOT!!

[Wphile]

whoops...that should say "vive" not viva. Mixing my languages there.

[SHKMAN1212]

While it is sad to think that Kofi and Co. are probably toasting each other right now, I firmly believe that Bush's speech laid down a gauntlet that Saddam cannot avoid. Iraq's "decision" will simply move the UN Security Council along to that inevitable vote where it shows that it is "with us or against us." In fact, it will probably speed it along.

Like the White House said in their response tonight...this isn't about weapons inspectors - it is about disarming Iraq and guaranteeing the safety of the region. Saddam in power and stability in the region cannot coexist.

[Sabertooth]

France objected strongly to the Bush administration's insistence that Saddam must go.

But, zee customair eez always right.

[sarasmom]

tick..tick..tick..Bo_ _.

Almost rolling on target #2.

[McGavin999]

16 resolutions have been violated and Saddam is agreeing to talk about only one. Sorry Saddam, that just won't cut it.

There are 15 more that must be addressed immediately including the release of all prisoners or their remains, as well as allowing the UN to administer the oil for food program so we can be sure that any monies will reach the people of Iraq.

The French and Germans are in this up to their ears. If they don't want that fact to be plastered all over every newspaper in the world they'd better get on board pretty darned quick.

[shrinkermd]

Nuclear weapons in the hands of the Iraquis would be a catastrophe. Once there, they could black mail the world with their threats. Get them out of power and now! Ignore the French, Germans, U.N. and any one else that makes excuses for this regime. They hate us more than they fear Iraq. Our job is to protect the USA and its allies. It is not to court world opinion.

[Shermy]

France against publishing secret documents on Iraq's weapons programs

France said it was against publishing top-secret evidence on Iraq's alleged development of weapons of mass destruction, saying the public arena was not the place to wage such a campaign.

"These are not issues which we can deal with publicly. This calls for serenity and seriousness, and we should therefore beware of any leaks and any saber-rattling proposals," Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin told France Info radio.

On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would in the coming weeks release damning information about Baghdad's alleged efforts to develop nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, to prove the threat posed by Saddam Hussein.

The foreign minister said that France and Britain had shared information on the proof of such a weapons program. and it "is out of the question to divulge these exchanges."

De Villepin said it was important to act responsibly in evaluating whether a "country could own chemical or biological weapons, and if it could turn into a threat."

He added it was important that France evaluate such risks together with its European partners.

"The international community is today very worried, which justifies our determination in the face of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction."

Washington on Wednesday stepped up its war rhetoric, with President George W. Bush calling Saddam Hussein a "serious threat" and saying he would take his case against Iraq to the United Nations next week.

De Villepin said "France, the world, cannot accommodate such a risk, and that is why we demand with insistance the return of the UN (weapons) inspectors to Iraq and that the country conforms with the demands of the international community." .....

[Scott from the Left Coast]

This is excellent news. Sadaam's and Kofi's flanking maneuver is rejected. Kofi Annan obviously took much greater offense at Bush's belittling of "his" organization than he said!

The first reaction from the Bush Administration was going to be decisive in this -- as in the next attempt at diplomatic flanking.

Sadaam is soon to become so desperate to get U.N. inspectors in Iraq that he'll offer to fully fund the entire operation. He needs the inspectors in country if he's to ever have enough time to go nuclear.

Let us hope that the Democrats (who WILL pick up on this opportunity -- being as much enemies of Bush as Sadaam is) can be forced and/or shamed into submission. The internal problem (with an unfriendly Senate) is more troubling than the U.N.'s attempts at appeasement.

[Rome2000]

[spokeshave]

Brilliant...watch Bush stick it to the dems....now the UN has wimped out under Kofe Chamberlain then it is necessary to take a congree vote now.

[maxwellp]

"Returning weapons inspectors is insane". I could not agree more. Let's say I'm growing illegal pot in pots in my home (which I am not). I hear on the grapevine that the police are looking into this and might knock on doors looking for such illegal activity. So I take my pots out into the woods, where they will keep growing nicely and be hidden. The police show up at my door and I invite them in to inspect my home. They leave satisfied that I am not growing pot. So much for weapons inspectors in Iraq.

Now, as to biological weapons. I'm no expert, but I do think they can be very easily hidden, like in small vials. Ergo, they could be hidden anyplace and inadequate U.N. inspectors could never find them. In short, I don't trust Saddam and trust the U.N. even less. The only problem I have with attacking Iraq is American military personnel being killed. And this bothers me greatly and I have no solution, unless with just nuke Iraq.