Bush and company went out of their way to snub the Germans.
This really isn't true. The Germans were being difficult to begin with. I think it was totally appropriate to say, "to hell with you".
Yes, it is true. Schroeder apologized after the German elections and the US ignored him. Shortly after, Rumsfield went to a NATO meeting and ignored the German representative. It was childish.
For 50 years, Germany has been, second to the Brits, our best ally and friend in the world. You don't blow off friendships that have existed that long. But Bush had his ego in a sling and he did blow them off.
If I'm not mistaken, the Brits have already sent 30K troops to the region. They're NOT going to be backing out. Canada will be there with or without UN approval.
All but a couple of thousand have not been deployed.
In the end, the UN is going to pass another resolution and EVERYONE will be onboard; and that will the only thing that salvages the UN [for now].
Yeah, that's the only way it will work.
this will be one very fragile coalition.
I actually don't think so. I think it may be LESS fragile, in the end, than was the '91 coalition.
You may be right but the opposition to this war is very strong and growing.
That, really, is the central issue. This is obviously a righteous cause, and it is going to be difficult, even for "Old Europe" to not sign on. Chirac knows if he isn't on board before the war starts he won't have a role when the war is over. I suspect Schroeder knows that as well.
Do you think it matters to them if their people are against the war? Mostly the Right in Spain, Italy, Portugal and the US think of this as a righteous war.
I do believe the Saudis may be a problem -- predominantly because they DON'T have that same concern. Whether or not they are involved in the war, they are obviously going to have a place at the table after the war because of their proximity. My attitude about Saudi's participation has changed over the last couple of months. They may not be with us.
I agree....the Saudis are between a rock and a hard place.
ted |
