* that Bush prematurely committed too great of a military force, such that he's now boxed in with the need to use it to save face.
What!! We've had forces there for for years now, containing Saddam while the UN "inspectors" played hide and seek (between games of patty-cake) with Saddam... The fact that Bush went to the UN in September, and successfully obtained permission from the US congress for use of force against Saddam, it is clear that it has been the UN and it's European members who have incessantly delayed enforcing those UNSC resolutions.
Had it not been for the US requirement that Saddam comply with the 1991 cease fire agreement, the European UNSC members would have lifted the economic sanctions against Saddam and acted like everything was fine. But the US has held their feet to the fire and forced them to enforce those resolutions.
It's my view he should send most of this force to the North Korea theater, and have UN forces replace the American forces so as to continue to apply pressure on Saddam.
Now that's just about crazy... N. Korea isn't likely to do anything, despite all the bluster. And even if they do, what vital US interest is at stake there?? They have no oil, are unlikely to defeat S. Korea, or "nuke" Tokyo.. And the majority of their people are malnourished..
Furthermore, the Chinese, who might enjoy seeing the US "distracted" by Kim Jong Il, have LITTLE desire to see another Korean war break out. Personally, I'm inclined to continue "mentioning" the possibility of a US exit from the Korean peninsula in order to make the point all too clear that the S. Koreans might be left on their own to deal with "Krazy Kim"...
There is NOWHERE that Kim Jong Il can really expand his authority, except S. Korea. And the cost of such a war would likely be the downfall of his government since it's unlikely Japan or the US (or even China) would stand idly by. Kim would become a liability to Bejing's leaders..
So the best bet is to tell the N. Koreans that there will be no "one on one" negotiations between the Pyongyang and the US. If they want to talk, it will be in a forum of a various natins who all have a vital interest in their nuclear program... That will defeat any attempt to make this a "anti-US" issue which is what Kim Jong Il wants.
Now Saddam?? Give him a nuclear weapon and see how he makes Kim Jong Il look like a dope-smokin' peacenik.
Hawk |
