posted on February 18, 2003 10:03:39 AM new
Bush Shrugs Off Global Antiwar Protests
(Reuters) - President Bush on Tuesday shrugged off global protests against a possible U.S.-led war with Iraq and the White House said a new U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing military force could be proposed this week.
In a huge wave of demonstrations not seen since the Vietnam War, more than 6 million peace protesters took to the streets in 600 towns and cities from Cape Town to Chicago on Saturday.
Bush told reporters that "democracy is a beautiful thing and people are allowed to express their opinion" but that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is a risk to peace.
"Evidently some in the world don't view Saddam as a risk to peace. I respectfully disagree," Bush said.
He added: "War is my last choice, but the risk of doing nothing is even a worse option, as far as I'm concerned. I owe it to the American people to secure this country. I will do so."
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the United States may propose a new U.N. resolution authorizing military force as early as this week but possibly next week.
"The timing will be determined as a result of ongoing conversations within our government and our allies," Fleischer said. "I think it's going to be a relatively simple resolution, not very lengthy."
France, Russia and China, who are permanent members of the U.N. Security Council along with the United States and Britain and thus hold veto power, have insisted that U.N. weapons inspections be given more time.
Bush made clear he would prefer a new resolution in support of resolution 1441 approved in November, but that he is prepared to act with a coalition of like-minded nations with or without U.N. backing. He will meet key ally Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar this weekend at his Texas ranch.
"We don't need a second resolution. It's clear this guy could even care less about the first resolution. He's in total defiance with 1441. But we're working with our friends and allies to see if we can get a second resolution," Bush said.
He declined to say whether the United States would support a deadline in that resolution giving Saddam a last chance to destroy his suspected weapons of mass destruction or face attack.
"Hopefully Saddam Hussein will disarm. If he chooses not to disarm... we will lead a coalition of the willing to disarm him," Bush said.
Sensitive to the protests, Fleischer said they were comparable to 1983 demonstrations against NATO )'s decision to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles, a move he said helped lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
"The United States stood on principle, the American president did what he thought was right to preserve the peace. As a result, the Berlin Wall came down, and the message of the protesters, better neutral than dead, turned out to be a false message," Fleischer said.
The United States and Turkey continued negotiations over an aid package for Turkey that Washington has offered in exchange for the right to use Turkish bases in any invasion of Iraq.
"We're working closely with the Turks," Bush told reporters. "We have great respect for the Turkish government. They've had no better friend than the American government, and hopefully we can come up with an agreement that's satisfactory to both parties. We're still working it."
In exchange for Turkish help, the United States is offering Ankara an aid package that includes about $6 billion in grants and up to $20 billion in loan guarantees. So far Turkey has balked at the offering, seeking twice that amount.
Fleischer said negotiations had reached a crucial stage.
"It ... will be settled one way or another rather soon," he said. "We continue to work with Turkey as a friend. But it is decision time. We will find out what the ultimate outcome is."
posted on February 18, 2003 10:08:57 AM new
::In exchange for Turkish help, the United States is offering Ankara an aid package that includes about $6 billion in grants and up to $20 billion in loan guarantees. So far Turkey has balked at the offering, seeking twice that amount. ::
WTF? Yeah - screw the deficit - lets give the Turks 6 billion to use a runway. (How do you justify GIVING 6 billion for a few runways when you denied United a bankruptcy avoiding LOAN for 1.8 billion because you didn't think they could pay it back?) BTW - After you guarantee the 20 billion in loans - what happens when they default? Do we get the Taj?
posted on February 18, 2003 11:30:16 AM new
>Bush Shrugs Off Global Antiwar Protests
Good for him! While the Peace Marches and the demands of the people fall on deaf ears (at least he ADMITS IT!) in the White House, it isn't falling on deaf ears around the world where citizens elected more responsible leadership than the fools here tried to vote into power. If the French were tottering on what to do, they now feel that they have the backing to stand up to Bush & Co.! With the French Resistance, Bush will be forced to attack Iraq without suport from many nations, many of whom will decide that it's time to punish the United States for its arrogrance. While we may not be importing French wines and cheees for a long time, we won't be able to export our our crops and goods because of trade sanctions. That means a massive long-term downward spiral to the economy and eco9nomic devastation. We are a global economy and cannot afford to risk our fragile economic situation that way. It is the fault of all Americans who voted for Bush.
posted on February 18, 2003 09:04:28 PM new
I hear the cheers,Kent State, Kent State ,Kent State.....com' on eveybody it will make you feel good,Kent State!
posted on February 18, 2003 09:21:26 PM newWhile we may not be importing French wines and cheees for a long time, we won't be able to export our our crops and goods because of trade sanctions.
MIND BACKING THAT UP WITH SOME TRUTHFUL FACTS OR ARE YOU JUST GRASPING AT MORE STRAWS?
I SERIOUSLY DOUBT OUR EXPORTS WILL BE AFFECTED AT ALL.
posted on February 19, 2003 01:06:54 AM new
Wish you'd keep your mouth shut about Kent State. People that were not there and have no idea what really happened just - as usual - believe any silly thing they read. I was there working and saw the bullet holes and what happened. It was like a Mayberry PD skit but with the Guard. If there was a breakdown in public order they should have closed the University -
But instead classes were going on like normal and one of those shot was walking to class hundreds of yards away - not demonstrating or anything - just in the line of fire when the idiot demonstrators and the idiot Barney Guardsmen were busy seeing who could be most stupid for the day. Both groups really needed what we have now - The Darwin Awards.
posted on February 19, 2003 12:26:44 PM new
Perhaps Bush's interests would have been better served had he chosen a different role model for U.S. diplomacy than the one below:
posted on February 19, 2003 12:41:14 PM new
Borillar, your the one always insisting others back up what they say with FACTS, and there you are spewing it ... give the facts, just the facts sir
Oh another thing, if the Americans who voted for Bush are to be punished, what do the ones that voted for Gore get?
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on February 19, 2003 12:43:10 PM new
Antiquary, I still remember watching T.V. with astonishment when Khrushchev was banging his shoe on top of his desk at the U.N., in protest to a speech which was being made.
posted on February 19, 2003 04:41:50 PM new
>MIND BACKING THAT UP WITH SOME TRUTHFUL FACTS OR ARE YOU JUST GRASPING AT MORE STRAWS?
>I SERIOUSLY DOUBT OUR EXPORTS WILL BE AFFECTED AT ALL.
Why don't YOU stop typing in all caps, since your aren't handicapped that way? I'm not responding to any more of your posts, TWELVEPOLE, until you stop posting like a jerk!
posted on February 19, 2003 04:48:30 PM new
>Borillar, your the one always insisting others back up what they say with FACTS
Please STOP trying to put words into my mouth! That really is crude of you and a typical Republican ploy! Please give examples if you think you are right. I do not insist on others backing up their opinions with links or facts. Period. I do complain when opinions are not based upon facts, logic, or sound reasoning, but that isn't the same thing.
>Oh another thing, if the Americans who voted for Bush are to be punished, what do the ones that voted for Gore get?
What kind of an asinine question is that? We're ALL on the receiving end of the Bush Election Debacle. ALL voters are getting a barbed wire enema from this administration, except for those corporatists -- such as yourself, who are the Best Bush Buddies of this administration.
posted on February 19, 2003 05:06:06 PM newI do not insist on others backing up theiropinionswith links orfacts.Period. I do complain whenopinionsare not based uponfacts, logic, or sound reasoning, but that isn't the same thing.
Dang, there goes my reading comprehension again Borillar... what kind of twisted statement? is that?
You don't insist on backing opinions on facts, You DO complain when opinions are not based on fact. whew.
And on another very recent thread, you said you do not like the 'name calling and snide remarks'
Well WTF is calling me crude, and what I said 'asinine'????
well in your world that may not be name calling and snide remarks, in others?
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on February 19, 2003 05:36:24 PM new
America will not boycott France or Germany. We'll show our disapproval on their stand with words. Just like we do to one and other here.
Of course when they need us on some other issue, that's in there best interest and not ours. We may pay them back...just a little.
posted on February 19, 2003 05:46:16 PM new
NTS - I realise this. That's why I I used the word IF. The point to my question is why Twelve believes that Americans are the only ones capable of such an action.
posted on February 19, 2003 07:49:18 PM new
A president that received less votes than the losing candidate won't listen to the people who must take to the streets as they can find no elected voice to speak on their behalf.
The sound you hear is the founding fathers rolling over in their graves.
posted on February 19, 2003 08:04:08 PM new
Borillar,
"corporatists"? LOL I Seriously doubt that anyone from big business would waste their time (or have the time to waste)on this BB
BTW
Watch out for that "name calling"
posted on February 19, 2003 09:06:14 PM new
that one flew by me! I'm a corporatist!
ALL voters are getting a barbed wire enema from this administration, except for those corporatists -- such as yourself, who are the Best Bush Buddies of this administration.
Should I do the happy dance now, I didn't realize you knew what a good buddy Bush is to me
Art Bell Retired! George Noory is on late night coasttocoastam.com
posted on February 19, 2003 10:03:59 PM new
>Borillar, "corporatists"? LOL I Seriously doubt that anyone from big business would waste their time (or have the time to waste)on this BB BTW Watch out for that "name calling"
NearTheSea knows exactly what I mean, even if you don't MKtwo.
posted on February 19, 2003 10:06:48 PM new
>Welp, I'd love to see him dance
Speaking of dancing around, you're doing the two-step quite nicely, NTS. Where are the proof of your accusations against me that I asked for? You seem to be ignoring that, aren't you? Dance, Dance, Dance for me little corporate princess, dance!
P.s. You STILL haven't bothered to go look up the defintion of "asinine"!
