Austria blocks U.S. troop transport

msnbc ^ | Feb 13, 2003 | Reuters

[Blue Collar Christian]

You mean that wasn't an accident?

It does not seem to have made a difference, or maybe they forgot real quick. France begs to be forgotten.

[znix]

I like to hope it wasnt an accident.

[Blue Collar Christian]

I think the Arche de Triumph would be a better target for the next "accident".

[Centurion2000]

Isn't this an Act of War ?

You're an idiot.

Hmm ... that's a logical and polite answer to a serious question.
Pull the stick out from your .....

[TexKat]

I think I see a pattern here. I wonder whose next in line.

[henbane]

Fact 4: Austrian Conservatives question neutrality, want into the WEU, possibly NATO - a move opposed by all other parties, and by the majority of Austrians we might say.

Wonder why?

Could the Hammer and Sickle on the Austrian State Flag possibly be a clue?

[CWOJackson]

Airlift them over Austria with a dense fighter escort. Have them fly over the Austria parliment building at 2,000 feet.

[fru]

Wonder why?

Could the Hammer and Sickle on the Austrian State Flag possibly be a clue?

It's not just hammer and sickle. It's hammer, sickle and "mural crown". The crown symbolises the burghers, the bourgeoisie. Those three go together and have nothing to do with communist insignia.
http://www.eurosesame.org/espagne/euroses0001/lboyd/Austria69/Coat%20of%20arms69.htm

BTW, I did some research and it appears the red in the Austrian flag actually symbolizes Muslim blood. When after the siege of Acre in 1191 (3rd crusade) Duke Leopold V of Austria took off his belt there was a white strip of cloth on his blood-soaked tunic.

But what are we going to make of the historical meaning of heraldic symbols? This discussion will lead us nowhere, unless you're interested in such trivia (which I personally am)..

[dennisw]

Not allowing foreign troops to march through your territory is the very definition of neutral.

Not marching..... USA simply wants it's trains with military supplies and personnel to be allowed to transit through Germany, France,  Austria. Is this really too much to ask? By denying this request the perfidious Austrians are helping Saddam. f 'em!

What's with this European love affair with Arab thug dictators?

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

"You are either with us, or you are with the terrorists." GW Bush

Just so I'm clear on this, you agree that Austria has committed an act of war by not allowing US troops on her territory, a refusal REQUIRED by treaty in 1946?

Interesting.

Given that the troops could also move through Switzerland how do you feel about war with them?

[muawiyah]

Knowledgeable historians agree that France, not Austro-Hungary or Germany, bears the greatest responsibility for WWI.

[thinktwice]

I thought Austria was run by a facist? Well, maybe that explains it.

You aren't far off --

The one month old FreeRepublic thread Communists Make Huge Gains in the Election in Graz, Austria http might have it closer.

[thinking]

Anyone know the Muslin population of Austria???

[Hoverbug]

Just so I'm clear on this, you agree that Austria has committed an act of war ...

No, not at all. My point is that Bush has put the world on notice that "you are either with us, or against us."

I'm sure that if Austria wanted those troops to move through their country, there would be no problem. A way would be found.

In other words, I believe that Austria is using the treaty as an excuse, not a reason, and it should be remembered in the future.

I'm not so sure that the '46 treaty REQUIRES Austria to not let troops in. While I haven't read it, the article states the treaty mandates that Austria not form an alliance.

But if you hold that letting troops pass through would be forming an alliance with the U.S., would you then agree that not letting them pass is forming an alliance with Iraq?

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

But if you hold that letting troops pass through would be forming an alliance with the U.S., would you then agree that not letting them pass is forming an alliance with Iraq?

No.

[henbane]

What's with this European love affair with Arab thug dictators?--dennisw(69)

Anyone know the Muslim population of Austria???--thinking(73)

"Currently, Muslims are the third largest religion in Austria and growing. Their numbers doubled between 1981 and 1991. These Muslims are largely immigrants and are often political refugees. The bulk are formerly Turkish and citizens of the former Yugoslavia. The recent Balkan wars drove a lot of Muslims to choose Austria as a homeland.

"The relationship between Muslim minorities and the State of Austria has been formalized and regulated since 1912 by the Islam Act that officially recognized the religion. It led to the establishment of the Muslim Faith Union in 1979 and Austrian Muslims are taught their faith in public schools with teachers paid by the State. The rise of nationalistic political parties in Austria reflects a concern seen in France. Increasingly, a growing portion of native Austrians are suspicious and fearful of Muslims."

THE ISLAMING OF EUROPE

[Hoverbug]

Well, ok. But I think others would. What hurts me helps my enemy.

That was my intention when I posted Bush's "You're either with us, or you're with the terrorists." That statement doesn't leave any room for "neutral". There's no such thing as neutral anymore. The world changes.

This is a worldwide war against worldwide terrorism. I don't believe any country will be able to claim neutrality while it continues to reap the benefits of the destruction of terrorism.

Austria could let us through if it wanted. Where there's a will, there's a way.

In other words, no more sittin' in a sinkin' boat, arms folded and doin' nuthin', sayin', "I'm glad the hole ain't in our end of the boat."