US-European rift deepens over Iran

[0007]

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/euro-f07.shtml

"Just a few days after her confirmation as the new US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice began a whirlwind tour of Europe. In the space of one week, she is visiting London, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Warsaw, Rome and Ankara, where she also met the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. She has also included stops in Tel Aviv and in Palestinian areas.


After veteran American journalist Seymour Hersh exposed US war preparations against Iran, followed by bellicose comments by various US representatives, there is little doubt among European politicians that Washington has begun serious preparations for a military offensive against Teheran. This is a goal that is decisively rejected, not only by Berlin and Paris, but also London.


In London, the first stop of her European trip, the US secretary of state again attacked the Iranian government. She accused it of lacking democratic legitimacy, of supporting international terror and of failing to respect human rights. Questioned by a journalist on whether she could imagine an attack on Iran during the Bush administration’s second four-year term, Rice said only that such an attack was “at this time not on the agenda.”
The divisions between Europe and the US over military action against Iran are even deeper than their differences over the Iraq war, which has already led to a profound transatlantic crisis and splits across Europe.

Even before her trip, Secretary of State Rice had made clear that she expects Europe to directly participate in the US occupation of Iraq—a course which is ruled out by Germany and France. In addition, she demanded that the European Union drop its plans to waive the current weapons embargo against China. For their part, the Europeans have called upon Washington to commit itself to a diplomatic solution of the Iran crisis instead of sabre rattling. Behind a multitude of diplomatic initiatives both sides remain firm in their respective positions."

more.....

[ladjf]

1. At some point in the future, other countries are going to

physically intercede to halt the spread of malicious American imperialism.

[FloridaPat]

6. We're there now. They are starting to drop the dollar. Cheap war

for them - very expensive for you and me. We import everything, so I wonder what's going to happen when the dollar is worthless. Maybe the rest of America will wake up.

[ladjf]

10. Significantly, China has officially announced that they are

going to cut their currency loose from the U.S. dollar. We are heading full speed toward bankruptcy, Russian style.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

22. oh crap!

This is going to get bad! We better use this to our advantage in 2006.

[0007]

12. America is a wake, but unfortunately we're dealing with

mindless idiots that depend on FAUX CNN & MSNBC to do their thinking.
Hopefully when the soup line and the soup kitchens are overly crowded they'll begin to ask questions.

[ladjf]

14. By then, it will be too late.

[BrotherBuzz]

15. Those soup lines will be in church basements.....

and the poor souls will be too busy praising jesus to ask questions.

[0007]

16. An empty stomach doesn't pray to Jays'us, it has only one thing

on its mind and that's food. By that time most churches will desert the poor, because there will be too many. Sorry! Memebers only the signs will read.

[BrotherBuzz]

18. Hmmm, we share the same cynicism

[natrat]

26. not only mindless idiots

but criminals-thay have stolen elections and 2006 will probably be more of the same

[Spazito]

2. I wonder where the 'line in the sand' is...

Germany's attack on Poland was the 'line in the sand' moment for WWII when the world said "no more", no more appeasement, no more turning the other cheek. Will a US attack on Iran be that 'line in the sand'? It certainly should be.

[0007]

3. I did find this interesting;

"This cowardly attitude towards Washington is rooted, above all, in fears on the part of European governments that a consistent uncovering and struggle against US war plans could unleash a powerful popular response. They can clearly recall the worldwide mass demonstrations against the Iraq war two years ago, in which several millions took part, and are keen to avoid a repetition."

Tis just a matter of time now before the sword of protest comes out against the aggressor.

[ooglymoogly]

7. hilarious photo shop

[ladjf]

11. Not quite. But, it would be a terrible mistake to the U.S. to

conclude that just because their military is stronger that anyone else's, we are safe from real and devastating retaliation. Remember in the world of WMD, equal force is not necessary. Look at the damage done to us by the 9-11, carried out by a band of terrorists.

At the low end, Iran, for instance, has submarines that are capable of firing intermediate range nuclear tipped rockets. Just one of those could reduce any coastal city to ashes. I don't even want to discuss the "high end". But, I mean by the "high end", those countries that have ample nuclear arsenals, including multiple ways of delivering the bombs.

The rest of the world is not going to permanently stand by and allow the U.S. to plunder the planet at will. They will have limits.

[Spazito]

19. The fall of all empires are not caused by a specific war...

rather, they overreach militarily and economically. The US is doomed to repeat history because the bush cabal has not learned from it.

The bush cabal has, imo, left the US vulnerable to an economic war which is being waged across the board. One's military cannot defeat an economic war only a military one.

[ladjf]

23. I believe that you are correct in your analysis.

Further, survival of all species is and always has been based upon
the facts pertinent to the individuals capacities. The further the U.S. government and the American people move out into the the fairylands of the religious right, the less chance we have to thrive, perhaps even survive.

[natrat]

27. sadly neocons probably welcome an attack on US soil

to consolidate power and continue with there plan

[hadrons]

4. faith-based reality ....

Even before her trip, Secretary of State Rice had made clear that she expects Europe to directly participate in the US occupation of Iraq—a course which is ruled out by Germany and France. In addition, she demanded that the European Union drop its plans to waive the current weapons embargo against China.

LOL

[0007]

5. Yes, that is Hilarious. Also there were posters here that said

France would comply. As they wanted to make amends.

[tabasco]

9. I see Condi is doing a bang-up job, just like we predicted.

She will no doubt continue the level of performance we saw from her as National Security Advisor.

Very, very, scary days for America. I expect nothing short of disaster from this corrupt administration, especially since they have seen the extent of gullibility of the American populace.

[ladjf]

13. No "faith based" country can stand the slightest chance of

long range dominance when competing with reality based countries.
Nature will not reward those who act based upon fantasies.

As Ayn Rand used to say, "facts are the facts. And they aren't dependent upon hopes, fears, wishes and superstition". (a paraphrase)

[adigal]

8. The mainstream media

has been portraying this trip as "fence mending" for us and the EU. Said that Rice said that attacking Iran was "not an option" right now.

Don't tell me they were lying??????

[VegasWolf]

17. Can't Condi get the world to unite over the horror of Gay Marriage?

[Gloria]

20. This woman is nothing but a walking hissy-fit, George Bush in drag...

And she talks like a schoolmarm....maybe "church lady" is more accurate.

UGH

[oasis]

21. "Old Europe" will have no part in furthering the interests of PNAC.

www.newamericancentury.org

[Earth_First]

24. Sounds like a state-sponsored trip to sway EU opinion against Iran...

to create another "coalition of the willing"

That is a more fitting headline to this piece.

[0007]

25. bttt

[yellowcanine]

28. But Condi likes football so that means she is a "regular guy" even if she

is no diplomat. So stop being mean to her! She is the choice of our Dear Leader and he has a 51% "mandate"!