From: Michael M. Butler (mmb@spies.com)
Date: Thu Jan 30 2003 - 18:23:32 MST
Lee Corbin wrote:
> 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
>
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Sun Feb 02 2003 - 21:26:04 MST