Only under UN, reply France and Germany

[ze_dscherman]

France and Germany have rejected a suggestion from U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that Europe's opponents of the recent war in Iraq should contribute troops for Iraq's post-war stabilisation. French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and the German Defence Ministry said a clear UN mandate was needed first.


http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,4789_W_916737,00.html

In another comment by German defense ministry, it was stated that the post-war UN Security Council resolution had definitely put the responsibility for the security of Iraq on behalf of the occupying forces.

[It was not a pretzel]

1. Dumb question?

Why the hell should any French or German soldier lose their lives because of scum like Smirkovic and Scumsfeld?

They wanted the war, they should fucking deal with it :mad:

[NNN0LHI]

2. Simple answer

They know Junior will not let them in under the UN's control, or it proves Junior and his minions were WRONG and the UN was right all along. Now on the other hand. Any Dem that suggests bringing in the UN has an edge over the Chimp for next years election. Except for the Republican base who hate the UN, the majority of American people want the UN to take over.

Don

Edit: And the only dumb questions are the ones that are not asked. Your question was not dumb.

[David__77]

3. No to US/UK occupation, no to UN occupation!

A UN occupation would be colonialism just the same. What's called for is returning political power to the people of Iraq through multi-party elections as soon as possible. AND removing troops now.

[CWebster]

4. The US can't fix it.

the damage is done. Allow the world to assist Iraq in picking up the pieces. That is the point of the United Nations.

There is no other choice.

[fshrink]

8. Exactly.

nt

[scisyhp]

16. Any "multi-party" elections held in Iraq under the occupation

authority are unlikely to be free or fair and the results won't be
recognized by the people of Iraq as legitimate. The civil war will
almost definitely result as soon as the occupying forces leave the
country. In fact, the only way to end the occupation while avoiding
the civil war is to restore the pre-war legitimate and internationally
recognized government of Iraq headed by Saddam Hussein. Any other
governing authority will not last, and Saddam (if he is alive) will
still reclaim the power but at a cost of a massive bloodletting.
Neither scenario is acceptable to the current US administration,
but more importantly it also will be unacceptable to any new
administration after Bush is voted out of office. We are looking at
at least 10 year commitment at $30-40 billion and 300-500 casualties
a year regardless of the results in 2004. Expensive oil and lost
international credibility is just gravy.

[bvar22]

5. Rummy eating Humble Pie!

I saw his humiliation before the Senate Committee on the replay last night when he was asked if he had requested help from France and Germany. He was dog-groveling, red faced, and stuttering.

...and Tucker eating Hillary's shoe cake was more icing. Seems like alot of NeoCons are trying to hide their bloated pig asses now.

[0007]

14. It may be more than humble pie!

Yesterday Rumsfield volunteered Spain & Italy to help police Iraq after he said the 3rd Army was going home.

Rumsfield is the best junior can offer?

[damnraddem]

6. The UN, and a few countries like Germany, have the expertise ...

for peacekeeping.

But the U.S. wanted nothing to do with UN, or German or French, expertise in foreign affairs -- so shouldn't expect to be handed the peacekeeping expertise, nor the peacekeepers.

[trogdor]

7. In other words...

...you made your bed, now lie in it.

Thanks, George.

On edit: What I would really like to hear is, "no way, not as long as the current administration remains in power."

[jpgray]

9. That's what they mean

but they can't say it. I think all the Dem candidates (maybe not Joe) are in agreement on bringing in the UN and fixing this mess. I know Dean and Kerry have the right idea on this.

[indictrichardperle]

10. Bottem Line

"under auspices of UN resolution" means back room deals that take control of oil and rebuilding contracts away from the junta.

Nato is the neo-con's attempt at hanging onto the booty and just using european $ and troops. Nyet......Germany, France and Russia have to be smiling....

Neo-con clusterFu*k on many different levels....militarily, diplomatically, economically......

[StrongBad]

11. Haha

W. is sooner or later going to have to concede to the U.N. for help with his tails between his legs.

It should be a sight...

[LibDemAlways]

12. How many times have we been reminded

on entering a store full of glass.....If you break it, you pay for it.

Looks like Germany and France are being good shopkeepers.

[west michigan]

13. Help from old Europe??

Interesting that this idea comes so soon. I mean that the wingers are still France bashing....how to turn them off...hmmm. Is not the occupying power supposed to provide stability?? Where is that roadmap thing?

[MidwestMomma]

15. When did Rummy ask France/Germany for help?

I've been out of the loop for a few days. Was this a formal request or Rummy ramblings or what? Appreciate our help.

[Kellanved]

17. A semi-formal (Meaning: not in front of cameras) request

by the department of state.

NATO and members were asked AFAIK.
Saying that the adventure is becoming too expensive while asking war opposers, was diplomatic genius at work again.

[David Zephyr]

18. Exactly As It Should Be.

Rummy, Cheney and Bushie will all be down on their knees with the brown lipstick begging the U.N. to deliver them from the quagmire and hellfire in Iraq that they have gotten themselves into.

The U.N. will say with one loud voice, "Who's your daddy? What's his name? Can you say 'pretty please'?"

Oh yeah, the U.N. is going to get a nice long hummer from George W. Bush...one that will Monica look like a novice.

Pucker up, America. We need the U.N. after all.

Pass the French Fries, please.