Qatar discloses mediation in Iraq, Libya and Sudan

[Robb]

This is fascinating....

Qatar discloses mediation in Iraq, Libya and Sudan

(snip)

The Qatari minister explained that he had informed the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein during his last meeting with him, before the invasion, that frankly, his head ( Saddam) is wanted and that he has to take one rightful decision. He added "I told him I was sent to ask him to give up the authority and that war will eventually take place, and that the US is serious." He added that during the meeting which lasted for two hours, Saddam Hussein questioned calmly and bitterly that he understands Kuwait's providing facilities to the Americans to launch an attack against his country because he had already invaded it, but questioned why Qatar is providing such facilities?" The Qatari minister answered that Qatar has security agreements and obligations with the US and that Doha honors these obligations.

The Qatari minister denied that Saddam was angry at him, or that he had asked him to leave, noting that he listened attentively and without remarks. He added he proposed to Saddam Hussein to quit, noting he did not expect Hussein to accept this offer which was given directly, rather, he expected Saddam to quit the authority later, or to organize free elections under the supervision of the UN, so as he will be able to leave the authority in an appropriate way.

(snip)

He indicated that certain strategic objectives were attained by the invasion of Iraq:"first, Saddam Hussein is not in power, second the weapons are not there, and thirdly, there is the attempt to make of Iraq an example for democracy in the region." The Qatari foreign minister also disclosed the mediation Qatar made between Libya, on the one hand, the USA and Britain, on the other, in order that Tripoli will quit its armament program, noting that this role was not central, and had started by the beginning of 2003.

The minister described the decision of the Libyan leader to this effect as wise.

(more)

[Chutaiko]

1. Sometimes U.S. arrogance is too much to bear

<snip>
there is the attempt to make of Iraq an example for democracy in the region.
<snip>

I cannot believe how this Administration (and previous ones) can be so ignorant as to think thet their "system" of government (well we'll call it democracy) is the right thing for ALL nations in the world.

Furthermore these are usually people who have never set foot outside the US let alone lived in another country to ascertain whether or not their system is really the best.

Perhaps an representative government under Islamic law is the correct thing to have. The U.S. cannot, in any unbiased fashion, determine what the best form of government is for any nation, especially one in which the citizens worship something other than the dollar.

[lumpy]

2. Some of us are inclined to agree

with this assessment,Chutaiko. The US should be impressed by 'able' Mideast leadership and get a clue.

[westman]

3. Are you saying

that Saddam was an example of 'able' Mideast leadership?

[Robb]

4. "We" seem to have had no problem with him

...until he invaded Kuwait. :shrug:

[westman]

5. But back to my question...