New Europe Stands Up

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
1

Well, “New Europe” steps up to the plate and vocally and publicly supports the US and it’s position with Saddam. I do not find it unusual that some of these countries emerged from totalitarian rule. They are joining with the US to rid Iraq of those nasty,(largely supplied by France and Germany) Weapons of Mass Destruction:

The real bond between the United States and Europe is the values we share: democracy, individual freedom, human rights and the Rule of Law.

These values crossed the Atlantic with those who sailed from Europe to help create the USA.

Today they are under greater threat than ever.

The attacks of 11 September showed just how far terrorists - the enemies of our common values - are prepared to go to destroy them.

Those outrages were an attack on all of us.

In standing firm in defence of these principles, the governments and people of the United States and Europe have amply demonstrated the strength of their convictions.

Today more than ever, the transatlantic bond is a guarantee of our freedom.

We in Europe have a relationship with the United States which has stood the test of time.

Thanks in large part to American bravery, generosity and far-sightedness, Europe was set free from the two forms of tyranny that devastated our continent in the 20th century: Nazism and Communism.

Thanks, too, to the continued co-operation between Europe and the United States we have managed to guarantee peace and freedom on our continent.

The transatlantic relationship must not become a casualty of the current Iraqi regime’s persistent attempts to threaten world security.

In today’s world, more than ever before, it is vital that we preserve that unity and cohesion.

The leaders said Iraq has deceived the UN

We know that success in the day-to-day battle against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction demands unwavering determination and firm international cohesion on the part of all countries for whom freedom is precious.

The Iraqi regime and its weapons of mass destruction represent a clear threat to world security.

This danger has been explicitly recognised by the United Nations.

All of us are bound by Security Council Resolution 1441, which was adopted unanimously.

We Europeans have since reiterated our backing for Resolution 1441, our wish to pursue the UN route and our support for the Security Council, at the Prague Nato Summit and the Copenhagen European Council.

In doing so, we sent a clear, firm and unequivocal message that we would rid the world of the danger posed by Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction.

We must remain united in insisting that his regime is disarmed.

The solidarity, cohesion and determination of the international community are our best hope of achieving this peacefully. Our strength lies in unity.

The combination of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism is a threat of incalculable consequences.

We are confident that the Security Council will face up to its responsibilities

It is one at which all of us should feel concerned. Resolution 1441 is Saddam Hussein’s last chance to disarm using peaceful means.

The opportunity to avoid greater confrontation rests with him.

Sadly this week the UN weapons inspectors have confirmed that his long-established pattern of deception, denial and non-compliance with UN Security Council resolutions is continuing.

Europe has no quarrel with the Iraqi people.

Indeed, they are the first victims of Iraq’s current brutal regime.

Our goal is to safeguard world peace and security by ensuring that this regime gives up its weapons of mass destruction.

Our governments have a common responsibility to face this threat.

Failure to do so would be nothing less than negligent to our own citizens and to the wider world.

The United Nations Charter charges the Security Council with the task of preserving international peace and security.

To do so, the Security Council must maintain its credibility by ensuring full compliance with its resolutions.

We cannot allow a dictator to systematically violate those Resolutions.

If they are not complied with, the Security Council will lose its credibility and world peace will suffer as a result.

We are confident that the Security Council will face up to its responsibilities.

Jose Maria Aznar, Spain
Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, Portugal
Silvio Berlusconi, Italy
Tony Blair, United Kingdom
Vaclav Havel, Czech Republic
Peter Medgyessy, Hungary
Leszek Miller, Poland
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark

2

Good post OG,it is good to see nations standing up to be counted,after all this was a 15 to zip vote by the security council.

What do you think the possibility is that the UN will make itself irrelevant over this issue?

3

I think the construction of the Security Council should be rethought. With the French constantly on holiday, their economy is in consistant decline. Yet the world's second largest economy, Japan, who contributes a massive amount to the funding to the UN is barely a provisional member and is still under the shadow of resolutions that brand it a hostile country. Of all countries that have changed for the better, japan should be recognized and France should get dumped as a permanent member.

4

that's true.. any country that supports the war stance is a noble country, their positives should be highlighted and they should be given the front chairs.. anyone who disagrees must have sever economic woes, are socialists or have missed their medication.

5

so …
anyone who is a yes-man to US should be there in security counsil
n whoever raises a voice should be out …
great…!!!
then why doing this puppet show as UN in front and US behind

man…!!
there is no acting UN …its all US
lets say …UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD
n whoever doesn’t obey…has**‘excess’** of evil:rolleyes:

6

PA- good point..its democracy at work. countries voting the way they see fit. not that the way sec council is set up is democratic anyways. I suggest make security council membership a rotating membership. 5 year terms and no permanent members and no veto.

7

^ that is why you are not advising them on governance anytime soon Fraudiya.

Not all countries are created equal.

8

Yes,

And to truely implement "no taxation without representation", all security council members should pay the same amount to support the UN, Cool!

9

I am hoping Pakistan can pay the $20 billion like the US does around the world.

10

The headquarters of the Security council should rotate as well then?

I have conflicting thoughts on the issue of veto power... sometimes it may be beneficial.. even though it is undemocratic.

maybe the option is to randomly select countries with the veto power.

or why have security council at all..

Isn't general assembly of the UN enough?

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Re: New Europe Stands Up

[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Ohioguy: *
**Well, "New Europe" steps up to the plate and vocally and publicly supports the US and it's position with Saddam. I do not find it unusual that some of these countries emerged from totalitarian rule. They are joining with the US to rid Iraq of those nasty,(largely supplied by France and Germany) Weapons of Mass Destruction:*

Good point! One who lives in the US is coming up with this! If you are so aware of the facts, dude, then go and make some detailed research which countries supplied IRAQ with weapons and helped Iraq in the WMD programmes. Certainly not just France, Germany! Even two of those countries who are in the support of the US: Italy, UK. Not to forget that US herself helped Iraq. Not just before the Golf war and while that even after!
The rest are hoping for the entry key to EU provided by the US. YOu have no clue about politics do you?

And the rest of your post sounds very Bushy!

[/QUOTE]

12

Ali,

Not suprisingly you are completely and totally wrong.

Read about “Who armed Iraq”
http://www.iraqwatch.org/suppliers/whoarmediraq.pdf

Germany provided over 50% of the resources alone. France built their reactor.

Then again, your blind anti-US approach has probably impaired your cognition. Please post something rather than simply spouting some left wing brainwashing.

13

I agree with Ali_R, western goverments were the ones who helped armed Iraq back in the 80's and now it's come back to haunt the world. Did they relaize that Saddam was such a madman, no.

14

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Chaltahai: *
I am hoping Pakistan can pay the $20 billion like the US does around the world.
[/QUOTE]

Since it can not pay, it will atleast vote for the war, being in the lucky 15 at this time.

15

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Chaltahai: *
^ that is why you are not advising them on governance anytime soon Fraudiya.

Not all countries are created equal.
[/QUOTE]

Is there anyone :) btw I did advise one of their units on internal governance matters as it related to their financial operations. Now a worldwide financial systems implemantation.

and all countries are not created equal, because the citizens of those countries are not equal to teh citizens of some other countries... Sound logic there.

From my perspective if it aint North America, Europe, South East Asia and Australia, they should not be in united nations. kick them out all the third world nations or create a new assembly only comprising of third world countries, and give them no say :)

16

As for the structure of the UN:
I think Russia should be dropped in favor of Japan on the Security Council. Also, it seems a decent idea for the headquarters location to be rotated, but only amongst SC permanent members.

About the various European opinions on this war:
I think it odd that America can parade having such countries as Poland, Hungary and Czech on their side. These are minor players and seem no more important than Tuvalu. Also, it is widely seen as an Eastern European contest for America's favor. They were just voted into NATO so they want to prove themselves, upgrade their status. Not to mention the vast amounts of cash that America gives as special economic aid. As for the other countries going along, thats nice but awful rhetorical.

Then we can go back to the other side of the planet to look for aid. Seems the only truly vocal one there is Australia. Wasn't this to be expected? Remember their grand position on Suez in 1956?

17

Maybe the muslim countries should get their own organization. Wait a minute....they already have. the potency there is lethal

And Fraudz, you are wrong, each life is equal but each citizenship is not. That is why you live here and not in Lesotho or Burkina Faso.

18

UDT,

Not exactly right.

In terms of conventional arms, Russia was by far the largest supplier. Go through a list of Iraqi aircraft and ground weapons systems and you will find 99% of all pieces were Russian or Warsaw pact supplied.

aircraft:

Iraqi Air Force Equipment

Ground systems:

The Russians lent Iraq billions in credits to arm up for the war with Iran. They are scared to death that any new government will not recognize these debts. Even if you look at the items for the Iraq nuclear program, most US sales were as subcontractors to larger German contracts. Of course the article that I posted does not have any disclosure of Russian supplies to the WMD, as it has not been available. However the Russians have some of the best available Chemists and Biologists, and they have been heavily recruited, particularly by Iran.

19

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Fraudz: *
kick them out all the third world nations or create a new assembly only comprising of third world countries, and give them no say :)
[/QUOTE]

It already exists, Fraudia. It's called the UN General Assembly.

Spoon writes:
"I think it odd that America can parade having such countries as Poland, Hungary and Czech on their side. "

Perhaps these countries are more supportive of the US position because their freedom took so many years to achieve, they don't undervalue the freedom they now have, they understand better the threat to their freedom posed by a guy like Saddam and they appreciate the benefits the Iraqi people will obtain once Saddam is removed.

The French, so long as they can eat cheese, drink wine and criticize the US, are quite content living with even a Hitler puppet government like the Vichy one.

20

MV,

The French export a lot of whine too! :)