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.

[widgysoft]

The UN will probably delay thw war until Saddam gets the mother of all weapons, The Nuke. Then he'll go about taunting the US like N.Korea are at the moment.

[colorado tanker]

So far, this process hasn't delayed us militarily. New York Times and Denver Post reported that the 82nd just got their equipment last weekend and the 101st was still offloading. This morning the wires reported that equipment is offloading in Turkey, but it's unclear whether that's the 4th's combat gear or something else.

Bush wants the 17th. The IttyBitty countries want April 15. If we compromised on the end of March, that would fit pretty well with the pace of deployment.

[Allan]

Now GB wants another 10 days added on to the 17th.

Where did you get that information? A source please.

[mhking]

GlobalSecurity.org Countdown Clock

T-minus 6 Days, 3 Hours and counting...

Let's roll.

[piasa]

Well, not MUCH more. Noticeably more. Could be the wind and weather conditions made the first blast more noticeable than today's MOAB.

[Cap Huff]

An article on the satellite said it is expected to operation this summer.

[Gritty]

time in suits is very limited when it's in the 80's or above

High today in Kuwait is 86 degrees. The temperature will be going up another 10 degrees by next month. Time and temperature are acting against us quickly now.

If we don't move soon it could cost us more than just another failed Resolution.

[ez]

Not bail out time, he's saying if we do ALL the attacking and the British just come in behind for mop/up and rebuilding, they have not taken part in a preemptive strike.

It's an out for Blair.

[In mourning for six years]

It is definitely time to cut GB loose. Each delay puts our troops in more danger. Not even one American life should be sacrificed for anyone's political career. We should give Tony Blair our heart-felt thanks for HIS support (No poll in GB has Brits supporting him or US actions), and proceed without the UK. The Brits, it would seem, would rather hop, skip, and jump into the arms of France and Germany than to stand with the US. So be it. America, keep this in mind when out shopping.

[PhiKapMom]

Great Britain wants at least 10 days according to Fox News reporter!

[WestPoint90]

suits are also limited in that they degrade over time. Many of the ones that we have had in inventory are many years old. Granted they have been sealed but where have they been stored? Hot warehouses. That is also where they are now in a hot climate that will only get hotter. An open suit is useless after about a day

[ProudArmyWife]

I can tell you it doesnt belong to the 4th infantry division.

[PhiKapMom]

I respectifully disagree when it comes to Blair. Maybe you should do a little research on Blair and his connection to Bill Clinton who was at a Labor Party retreat to coach the Labor Party and Blair has to maintain control of GB.

He is now interferring with the safety of our troops and I put American military ahead of anyone from any other Country. We look like fools to draw the line it is the 17th and then waffle and in the process we embolden Saddam and give him extra time. Not to mention the French who now think if they raise enough static, we will delay some more. What for -- to get Angola, Cameroom and other 3rd world countries on board. Are we now saying that those countries control United States foreign policy?

I am with Hannity -- time to tell the UN to jump!

Today he challenges two U-2 flights and the UN apologizes.

I am fed up with the UN and nothing anyone can say will change that. This waffling by Blair because of political pressure is something that should not be interferring with our military. Person after person at DoD has said we are ready to go.

It turns out all along we were waiting for GB to get fully on board and now today they tell Rumsfeld that they don't know if they will be there with us.

That may not bother some people but it bothers me a great deal after spending most of my adult life around the Air Force!

[colorado tanker]

I was afraid of that. A lot of bored troops down at Ft. Carson.

[ProudArmyWife]

dont forget Fort Hood!!

[PhiKapMom]

Don't get me wrong -- I would prefer our military handle all the details and not have to consult with another Country.

What I don't like is waiting for GB to get fully on board and it looks like they are now.

I am perfectly happy to give Blair an out and let them come into mop up. I just want the UN debate to stop!

[PhiKapMom]

Same here -- France is going to veto regardless of the number of votes and it sounds like Russia will be right there with them according to the Fox reporter.

[colorado tanker]

dont forget Fort Hood!!

Never!

[Cap Huff]

The absolute non-negotiable must be a vote this week.

[meema]

I am not for this war, but am FOR our President, our military and our country!

We cannot wait much longer. The weather is warming and the sandstorms are getting bad!

Let's tell Tony 'Thanks so much', but we will take it from here alone. We really appreciate his support throughout this period, and will never forget. But we don't want him to lose his job over this, nor can we wait for 10 days or 30 days...