Rumsfeld says US ready for war in Iraq without Great Britain

AFP via Babelfish translation ^ | March 11, 2003

[HAL9000]

The United States could fight without Great Britain (Rumsfeld)

The American secretary in Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, did not exclude Tuesday that the United States can go in war against Iraq, with the need without Great Britain.

Questioned on a possible refusal of the British Parliament of a military participation, if the president George W Bush decided recourse to the force, Mr. Rumsfeld answered: "What will be decided finally" in London, according to a resolution of UNO, "is not clear".

But, "if they can take part, they are welcome. If they could not take part, there are ways of circumventing the things, and thus they would not be implied, at least in this phase "with a possible intervention, declared Mr. Rumsfeld with the press.

With the question of knowing if Washington would enter in war without its combined nearer, Mr. Rumsfeld answered: "It is a question of which the president will occupy himself, in the days to come, probably".

In all the cases, the British would be implied in the rebuilding of Iraq, after the departure of Saddam Hussein, added the American minister.

[ProudArmyWife]

What is this bail out time?

[mhking]

Sounds like a plan. Let's roll.

[PhiKapMom]

I heard this press conference! I was shocked when I heard this about our having to go it alone and have been waiting for some member of the press to get this out. Rumsfeld actually said they have plans for us to go it alone in disarming Iraq! He had talked to the GB Defence minister an hour before his briefing!

We have delayed this entire time to give Blair cover and I am less than impressed! That should teach us a lot about depending on a Labor PM!

According to Fox we are now we are about to give the Brits another 10-days from the 17th of March to comply. That makes it 27 March. Our best hope is that France will veto this resolution and allow us to go sooner. Is this the final date or when Blair whines to the WH about his political probems in GB are we going to keep giving him another 10 days?

[ProudArmyWife]

*takes a deep breath and SCREAMS BLOODY HELL*

[RummyChick]

it didn't take long for this highlight from Rummys conference to come out. I haven't been able to access Drudge all day. Had this problem a few days ago. He better get his act together and if wants this page views when the bombs drop.

[over3Owithabrain]

The French won another round - Bush talked tough last week about the SC vote, France threatened a veto and lobbied the 6 tiny waffling nations, so the US/Britian blinked and are scurrying for a new resolution. So much for laying the cards out. Saddam is again laughing "March 17 my ass, those fools will delay forever!"

[PhiKapMom]

I cannot believe that cable news is not covering it. At least we heard right!

[Scott from the Left Coast]

Any delay is a fatal precedent. Delay now and we will be forced to delay later.

(the previous is just an opinion!)

[slimer]

We have delayed this entire time to give Blair cover and I am less than impressed!

I think you are right on the money! This past 3-4 weeks has been entirely about getting cover for Tony Blair. I have a lot of respect for his willingness and persistence in going with us but he has cost us a lot of time.

[1Old Pro]

Let's Roll then.

[ClancyJ]

What in the world makes Blair think that extending the time makes people more agreeable to the action? He either has support or not, he can join us or not. Dragging this out has only diffused support no matter what horrible stunt Saddam pulls. If he bombed our soldiers, we would still have the very same standoff and scurrying around of the roaches hiding from the daylight.

Time to protect American lives and let the rest of them learn how to live without us.

[PhiKapMom]

Unfortunately I agree with you. I am tired of Blair and the UK and time for us to tell the UN to get lost.

If some country doesn't want to help us oust Saddam, then get the "_" out of the way!

Blair sounds just like Clinton -- all talk and delay, delay, delay!

[Shermy]

There's a lot of money flying around to those little countries, I bet. Probably relatively cheap to bribe them for Saudi, Iraq and France - perhaps acting together.

[PhiKapMom]

Time to protect American lives and let the rest of them learn how to live without us.

I agree 100%. When I heard the Rumsfeld press conference, I prepared a post to go up but didn't go with it in case I heard wrong. I did not hear wrong it seems.

I am just livid -- started last night and is getting worse as the day goes on. We need to cut UK lose and go with just our military and quit the United Nations!

[PhiKapMom]

I agree with you -- I am sick and tired of delays!

[PhiKapMom]

Do you remember the press conference with Blair and Pres Bush. I always thought that Pres Bush looked really irritated when he came out and then sounded it.

Would tend to believe that Blair told him then that he needed another UN resolution to get the GB on board. Pres Bush should have taken the hit at that time and told Blair "NO MORE TIME!" Now GB wants another 10 days added on to the 17th.

This is ludicrous! The line was drawn in the sand for the 17th and now Blair says the 17th was not a firm date to disarm.

Time to cut Blair lose and let him fight his own battle at home!

[PhiKapMom]

According to Fox News reporter at the UN, the UK is circulating a 27 March date to get some countries on board but France will still veto. The vote is "supposed to be Thursday or Friday" but no firm date for the vote has been established.

[PhiKapMom]

I agree with your opinion!