Regards, Ivan
Posted on 03/16/2003 3:36:53 PM PST by MadIvan
THE world stands on the brink of war today after President Bush and Tony Blair decided to allow just one more day for diplomacy over Iraq.
Today is “the moment of truth for the world”, Mr Bush declared after a two-hour mid-Atlantic summit with Mr Blair and José-María Aznar, the Spanish Prime Minister. Mr Blair, looking strained and grim, said: “We have reached the point of decision.”
Their dramatic statement came after they decided to challenge President Chirac of France today to withdraw his threats to veto a UN resolution authorising war with Iraq.If he does not, they are expected to walk away from the UN process. It appeared likely that they would not push the resolution to a vote if they did not have a majority for it.
The summit paved the way for one of the biggest military onslaughts since the Second World War to begin within days. The UN was making preparations to evacuate weapons inspectors and humanitarian workers last night and conflict seemed likely by the end of the week.
However, President Saddam Hussein hit back defiantly and told his military commanders that if Iraq were attacked, it would take the war anywhere in the world “wherever there is sky, land or water”.
Addressing a press conference after the summit talks on the US Portuguese airbase Lajes, Mr Bush said: “We concluded that tomorrow is the moment of truth for the world. Many nations have voiced a commitment to peace and security, now they must demonstrate that commitment to peace and security in the only effective way: by supporting the immediate and unconditional disarmament of Saddam Hussein.”
Mr Blair said that a real impasse had been reached in the UN negotiations because of the French refusal to back an ultimatum. “That is why it is so important that the international community at this time gives a strong and unified message. I really believe that, had we given that strong message some time ago, Saddam might have realised that the games had to stop.
“Now we have reached the point of decision. We make a final appeal for there to be that strong unified message on behalf of the international community that lays down a clear ultimatum to Saddam that authorises force if he continues to defy the will of the international community.
“We will do all we can in the short time that remains to make a final round of contacts to see whether there is a way through this impasse. We are in the final stages because, after 12 years of failing to disarm Saddam, now is the time we have to decide.”
If the UN process collapses, Mr Blair will swiftly call a Cabinet meeting and a Commons debate could come tomorrow in which he will face a massive revolt of his own backbenchers. Robin Cook is expected to leave the Cabinet and other ministers may resign.
Mr Bush told the post-summit press conference: “Tomorrow (Monday) is the day that we will determine whether or not diplomacy can work. Before then we will be working the phones, talking to our partners, talking to those who do not understand our objectives. We will see how it goes tomorrow.”
Mr Bush’s fury with the French was obvious throughout. Asked whether the resolution would be put to a vote today come what may, he hinted that it would not. He said: “I was the guy who said they should all vote and show their cards, but one country has shown their cards already. France have shown their cards. Their cards have been played. We have to make an assessment after tomorrow as to what those cards mean.”
Mr Blair was also asked about whether a vote would go ahead if there were not a majority in favour of the resolution. He said that they would do “what we believe to be in the interest of the UN”.
Before the summit, his spokesman had been pessimistic, describing the state of play as an “impasse” between those who believed that last November’s Resolution 1441 had cleared the way for military action and others, including the French, who would not support any resolution with an ultimatum contained in it.
Mr Bush’s impatience with the UN could not have been more apparent. He said: “We hope tomorrow that the UN will do its job. If not, we will all have to step back and work out how to make the UN work more effectively. If we have to use military force, in the post-Saddam Iraq the UN could then have a role and then perhaps it can get its legs of responsibility back.”
M Chirac appeared to be trying to soften his position last night with a suggestion that Saddam should be given one or two months to disarm, compared with the 120 days in his most recent proposal. “One month, two months, I am ready to accept any accord on this point that has the approval of the inspectors,” he said.
Regards, Ivan
Highly likely!
Er....the 18th (Tuesday) is a full moon.
Yes he did.
Hang tough, Tony.
He did have a thing for driving out snakes.
Removing France from the Security Council would be the only hope of accomplishing that. Without that, you can count on there being no Security Council.
Hmmm, I thought I had as well...that moon is sneaking up on us! ;-)
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