posted on September 17, 2001 08:50:58 AM new
Italy:
"Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino on Sunday said Italian troops would not take part in any US retaliation after the terror attacks and that use of the term "war" was inappropriate.
"The term 'war' is inappropriate. It is not a conflict between states and Italian troops will not go anywhere," Martino told the RAI television station."
Arab Nations (excluding Algeria, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco, who have pledged their support):
"Virtually all Arab League members appear unwilling to supply military troops or provide logistical support for U.S. or Western forces in any attack against Saudi billionaire fugitive Osama Bin Laden or any of his government sponsors, Arab diplomatic sources said. The United States is believed to require bases in the Persian Gulf and Pakistan to launch a sustained attack on Bin Laden bases in Afghanistan."
Israel:
"Washington's push to forge an international coalition to fight terrorism has caused a sharp split between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Israel's closest ally, the United States.
Sharon has warned he is unwilling to make any sacrifices to help the United States stitch together the coalition that would mean an easing of his campaign against the Palestinians, including military strikes."
Germany, Norway:
"Following the pattern of Norway, Germany has also declined to participate in any direct military action launched by North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to combat terrorism. "
posted on September 17, 2001 09:13:06 AM new
I hope our decision makers are taking notes!
Appears world leaders can talk the talk (when it means nothing) but won't walk the walk (when it actually comes down to put up or shut up).
We've all (used generically) been guilty of that one time or another throughout history.
If the table was turned, I know American would be pledging support, but where would we draw the line with our actual involvement? Money, equipment, resources, troops???????
Although from my vantage point their actions/decisions suck, the leaders of other countries must do what they feel is best for their country.
I'll say again, though, I hope Washington is taking notes!!!!!
posted on September 17, 2001 09:24:17 AM new
I believe Australia, Canada, and UK will always be our ally. I believe Israel would cause problems and for the same reason they weren't part of Desert Storm they shouldn't be directly involved.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:34:25 AM new
I may be wrong here, (probably am )
but from what I understood of NATO is that the countries belonging to NATO, have a certain amount of military assigned directly for NATO. So when this article is invoked (where if one NATO country is in war, the others 'ally' with them) all NATO military under the 'command' of NATO will go, but they need not send any other of their military? or something like that?
I am not sure how it works, but something to that effect.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:43:55 AM new
Toke,
I don't know how to make clickable links, and the URLS are long. If you go to Drudge Report (http://www.drudgereport.com/) the links are all found there.
posted on September 17, 2001 09:50:36 AM new
I am wondering why any country wouldn't want to support the U.S. in the fight against terrorism? What do they have to gain by NOT helping? Is there BIG money involved?
posted on September 17, 2001 09:55:03 AM new
Thanks, ProudCanuck...I'll check it out.
BTW...if you have a really long link and want to use a few words instead of an url...do this (just remove all $ signs and use NO spaces, except in your "word" link):
posted on September 17, 2001 10:03:01 AM newKraftdinner: Money's only part of it. The European countries are far more dependent on Middle Eastern oil than the US and they don't want to do anything to upset the suppliers. Plus, the pols realized they would have to face their very upset Middle Eastern populations and decided they weren't prepared to do that. Then there's the feeling of fighting a war in general-those countries have fought wars on their home soils and they're more than a tad reluctant to get involved in another, especially one they probably feel doesn't involve them.
Now the trick is knowing what the pols are saying, if they're making noises to appease the people or they really mean what they're saying, and what is actually happening in terms of NATO commitments. The two are often totally different...
posted on September 17, 2001 10:04:56 AM new
Fine, believe it or not... Anger keeps my adrenalin up and me out of the Slough of Despond (sorry, must be all the religious threads...heh). So far, at least.
posted on September 17, 2001 10:57:36 AM new
Thanks for answering my question Shadowcat! I am soooo ignorant about the Middle East and am trying to learn everything at once.
I'm glad you're doing OK toke Actually, I think it's pretty amazing how well everyone has handled things so far!
posted on September 17, 2001 11:34:12 AM new
Shadowcat, you brought up a very interesting point: "Then there's the feeling of fighting a war in general-those countries have fought wars on their home soils and they're more than a tad reluctant to get involved in another, especially one they probably feel doesn't involve them. "
On one hand I encourage a war - it is the only thing I can see to get the message across to terrorists and their supporters.
On the other hand, I see innocents being killed.
I wonder (just can't imagine it) what my reaction would be if there were danger of the actually war and bombing taking place in Canada or the United States....
posted on September 17, 2001 02:17:51 PM newCanada will "unambiguously" join U.S. military action in striking back at terrorism, even if Canadian lives are lost, John Manley, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said yesterday.
http://www.nationalpost.com/
(Click on 1st url under "Top Stories" )
[ edited by stockticker on Sep 17, 2001 02:18 PM ]
posted on September 17, 2001 02:41:31 PM new
I will be more than happy to give the US all the support it needs! I can't wait to hang off my balcony and blow kisses at the sailors passing down the Mississippi on the way to the Gulf. I am going to wave to them in my best black negligee, and high heel mules. I think that will be great support. I am going to throw my very large bras at them to give them somthing to fight for! GO USA!
posted on September 17, 2001 05:58:09 PM new
I liked what Bush said today about the old west "Wanted Dead or Alive" posters. Get a list of names, put a big enough price tag on each one, and the problem might take care of it's self
)
