Bush Adamant on Iraq Election Schedule (refuses to ans ?'s about Annan)

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - President Bush (news - web sites) said Thursday that Iraq (news - web sites)'s elections must not be delayed from their scheduled date of Jan. 30, rejecting calls from more than a dozen political parties there to postpone them until security at the polls can be ensured.

"It's time for Iraqi citizens to to to the polls," Bush told reporters in the Oval Office.


~snip~

Bush steered gingerly around allegations of corruption in the United Nations (news - web sites)' oil-for-food program in Iraq, which first surfaced in January. The charges have escalated. Two weeks ago, a congressional investigation uncovered evidence that Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s government raised more than $21.3 billion in illegal revenue by subverting U.N. sanctions against Iraq, including the oil-for-food program.


Bush did not answer two questions about whether Annan should resign, as Sen. Norm Coleman (news, bio, voting record), R-Minn., has urged. But he said a thorough investigation was necessary to ensure that U.S. taxpayers can "feel comfortable" as their government pays U.N. dues.



http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=703&e=1&u=/ap/20041202/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

[Sideways]

1. Hey Asshole If You Stop Bombing Them To Smithereens

That might be a good start. Bush** you are a Mother Fuckin Piece Of Trash.

[madison2000]

2. So what is his real agenda here?

To control the election like the Reps did here?

I wish some other countries would start meddling with our disputed election. We could use the help and the positive influence of some real democracies right about now.

[Rose Siding]

6. Handwashing a la Pilot?

Remember how the media coverage changed after the "transfer of power"? A vote will give bushies the spin that whatever happens next is the Iraqis responsibility.

The Iraqi pres (not Allawi) said about a week ago that there exists *no* plan yet for election security. That Bush would ordain that NOW is the time changes Vote Or Die to Vote And Die.

[Just Me]

9. "Appearances" mean absolutely everything,...

,...especially when your credibility is completely worthless.

On the other hand,...it is very difficult for me to argue to put off the elections when they have been put off far too long as it is and the rebellion will most likely continue to grow in response to the circumstances. I doubt the rebellion will ever end as long as US forces are occupying (whether politically or physically via US bases) that country.

[Canuckistanian]

14. Diebold is ready NOW

And they need to do it fast before anyone catches on.

[grumpy old fart]

3. Now, or 6 months from now....

It's going to be a farce whenever it does take place anyway. Civil war is inevitable, and nothing will sort itself out until we leave.

[elehhhhna]

4. He's silent on Oil for Food 'cuz Cheney's involved. Bank on it.

[librechik]

5. big time n/t

[tuvor]

7. Geeze, guys, January's like next year!

There's plenty of time to prepare for a proper election.

Just settle down, willya?

[maddezmom]

8. Bush predicted that Iraq's elections would leave the world "amazed that a

Bush predicted that Iraq's elections would leave the world "amazed that a society has been transformed so quickly."

:puke:

[maddezmom]

10. * ear-piece must not be working properly

He was more pointed Thursday about the prospect of a new vote in the Ukraine.

"I think any election, if there is one, ought to be free from any foreign influence," Bush said.

Yet a moment later, he thanked the leaders of Poland and Lithuania and the European Union (news - web sites) for their involvement in helping to defuse the situation.

"There's different options on the table and we're watching very carefully what is taking place," Bush said. "But any election in any country must reflect the will of the people and not that of any foreign government."


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041202/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush&cid=544&ncid=1480

[pmbryant]

11. I though Allawi was the President of Iraq, not Bush.

A dramatic illustration of the lie that is "sovereign" Iraq.

--Peter

[flordehinojos]

12. bush has big cojones. the US hasn't paid UN dues in years.

..not giving answer to reporters about wheter koffi annan should resign is bush's confession to having his hand in the pot that is asking for anan's resignation. if he were not doing so,he should be honorable enough to stand up and defend kofi annan and the UN.

[moondust]

13. "We can't put the Middle East peace process on our timetable."

I also need to -- the next leader needs to be patient. We can't put the Middle East peace process on our timetable. It's got to be on the timetable of the people that we're trying bring to the peace table. We can't dictate the terms of peace...
GWB, 10/17/00


Oh, sorry, that was some other deal.


http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/election/2000debates/3rdebate3.html