From: Lee Corbin (lcorbin@tsoft.com)
Date: Thu Jan 30 2003 - 17:23:02 MST
Mike writes
> -----Original Message-----
> [mailto:owner-extropians@extropy.org]On Behalf Of Michael M. Butler
> Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 11:25 AM
> Subject: IRAQ: Euro Multipolarity Shows Up
>
> My friend Dan L writes:
> This is interesting.
>
> Eight leaders of European countries call for unity between Europe and
> America in dealing with Iraq, in a full-page editorial in today's London
> Times.
>
> The countries are Spain, Portugal, Italy, Britain, Czech Republic, Hungary,
> Poland and Denmark.
Yes, I heard about this on a right-wing talk show this morning.
I also heard that Jordan and Turkey are supporting the U.S.
moves against Iraq, and that a poll showed that 77% of Americans
listening to Bush's speech agreed with his stand on Iraq.
But you can listen to radio all day long, tuning in to ABC News,
CBS News, or NBC news, and you'll hear none of this. On Bush's
speech, they repeated many times that "hardly anyone's views
were changed", giving the impression that it was not resonating
with the majority of listeners. You can also subscribe to the
on-line addition of the New York Times, as I have, and never
hear such news. Here are the NYT's headlines for today:
INTERNATIONAL
U.S. Set to Push for a U.N. Debate on War With Iraq -- The U.S. put
a reluctant Security Council on notice that the time for disarming
Iraq peacefully was coming to an end.
Bush Officials Debate Release of Iraq Secrets -- The potential intelligence
material at issue ranges from satellite photographs of suspected Iraqi
weapons sites to telephone intercepts.
U.S. Links Indonesian Troops to Deaths of 2 Americans -- Bush
administration officials have determined that Indonesian soldiers
carried out a deadly ambush that killed two Americans last August.
There are only two places where I may on a daily basis encounter
pro-American information at all: one is the aforementioned right-
wing talk shows, and the second is the Extropian list.
This pattern has been in evidence quite strongly the last six
months or so. Our news media sounds exactly if it were under
the total control of senate liberal Democrats.
Unbelievable.
I'm re-quoting the editorial Mike appended to his post,
in case anyone missed it. These days it is inconceivable
that the New York Times or the Washington Post would
print such a thing. Look at those signatures! Exactly
why won't you ever hear about this in the American media?
Lee
> EUROPE AND AMERICA MUST STAND UNITED
>
> Opinion
> The London Times
>
> January 30, 2003
>
> http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,482-559907,00.html
>
> 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 cooperation 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
> regime¹s persistent attempts to threaten world security.
>
> In today¹s world, more than ever before, it is vital that we preserve that
> unity and cohesion. 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 Hussein¹s 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. It is one at which all of us should feel
> concerned. Resolution 1441 is Saddam Hussein¹s 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 Iraq¹s 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.
>
> (signed)
>
> José María Aznar, Spain
> José Manuel Durão Barroso, Portugal
> Silvio Berlusconi, Italy
> Tony Blair, United Kingdom
> Václav Havel, Czech Republic
> Peter Medgyessy, Hungary
> Leszek Miller, Poland
> Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Denmark
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