Shots Across The Bow

Hypocrisy, thy name is UNSC

Specifically France and Russia. The two countries which pressed hardest to ease sanctions before the war are now pushing to maintain sanctions now that Hussein is gone.

Why?

It's called blackmail:

The council alone can determine whether those conditions are met and members like Russia and France have already signaled they would oppose lifting the sanctions without a broader role for the UN in Iraq than has so far been suggested by the United States.

But bluntly, unless the US allows France and Russia to profit off the sacrifice of Coalition soldiers, they'll allow the Iraqi's to starve.

Do we need allies such as this?

France and Russia profited for decades off Husseins regime. Lest we forget, even though America has been accused of arming Iraq, during the war we faced Kalishnikov rifles, not M16's. We found French missiles and rockets, not American. The Iraqi Air Force flew MiGs and Mirages, not F-15s and F-16s.

There is credible evidence that both Russian and French countries continued to support Husseins regime in violation of UN sanctions. And now they want to maintain the sanctions in a naked attempt to blackmail the US, holding the people of Iraq hostage.

Nope, not gonna happen, Pierre. The solution to this dilemma is simple, achievable, and benefits all concerned parties.

Except for France and Russia, that is.

The US should begin open trade with the interim Iraqi gov't as soon as possible. The sanctions were against the gov't of Saddam Hussein; he's gone, so are the sanctions. The UN can recognize this, or continue their quick march into the footnotes of history.

Posted by Rich at April 22, 2003 11:20 AM | TrackBack