Rumsfeld Defends Iraq War at NATO Meeting

[joeunderdog]

MUNICH, Germany - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, defending the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq (news - web sites) to a skeptical international audience, said Saturday he is confident Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s removal eventually will spread "seeds of freedom" through the Middle East.

In a sign that prewar diplomatic rifts continue, however, Germany's foreign minister warned of "possibly fatal consequences" for NATO (news - web sites) should the alliance take a direct role in Iraq's reconstruction that resulted in failure. Russia's defense minister, whose government also opposed the war, said military force should be used only "within the realm" of international law.


Rumsfeld made an impassioned defense of the U.S. role in the world, contending that Arab television networks' coverage was contributing to the decline in America's image abroad by promoting the notion that Americans are imperialists.


"I know in my heart and my brain that America ain't what's wrong with the world," Rumsfeld told a German questioner after his speech.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&e=1&u=/ap/20040207/ap_on_re_eu/rumsfeld

Just once, I'd like Rummy to say, "Things woulda been different if Saddam didn't buy military hardware from me. And I've got the receipts to prove it. But we learned him, didn't we!?!"

[pinniped]

1. No, just you WH f*ckers.

"Rumsferatu made an impassioned defense of the U.S. role in the world, contending that Arab television networks' coverage was contributing to the decline in America's image abroad by promoting the notion that Americans are imperialists."

And believe me, you jerks didn't need much help either.

[xray s]

2. He sure rants like an imperialist

I caught some of his "lecture" on CNN. Embarrassing.

[xxqqqzme]

3. Those dastardly

Arab television networks...the nerve of some media coverage is just outrageous - I am shocked...shocked I tell you 2 find squatter's good christian intentions have been so mis-construed.

I find it truly amazing these rat bastards can keep a straight face while mouthing this neo-con BS, especially now that the people of this country R finally waking up 2 what the rest of the world has known 4 over a year.

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Arab TV networks promoting the notion that the US is imperialist

Let's see . . .

None of the stated reasons for invading Iraq were true. There is every reason to believe that Rumsfeld and other members of the junta, including Mr. Bush, knew or had reason to know: that Iraq had only an insignificant arsenal of biochemical chemical warheads, if she had any at all; and that there was no association between al Qaida and Saddam's regime. Moreover, there is every reason to believe that intelligence, far from being wrong, was cooked and cherry picked in order to give a false impression that the case was stronger than it was.

Contracts for the reconstruction of Iraq were handed out, often on a no-bid or limited bidding basis, to corporations with close ties to Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney or other members of the junta.

The Iraqi people have no input on how their money will be spent, what decisions will be made on their behalf or on how their resources will be allocated and distributed. The results of local elections are not recognized and the popular governing bodies are replaced by American appointed authorities.

A body of Iraqi quislings, hand picked by an American administrator and with no impute from the Iraqi people, gives legal cover to selling Iraqi resources to transnational corporations based in the US.

In other words, it would appear that Iraq was invaded to make rich Americans richer at the expense of the Iraqi people. Moreover, this appears to be the only real consideration of those who planned and executed the invasion.

I'd say this passes the duck test. One does not have to be an Arab television network to point out that this is imperialism.

[leesa]

5. Completely ignores the fact that Saddam had disarmed.

Can't understand why saddam would choose the end of his regime to peaceful disarmament. Does Rumsfeld even have a brain? You wouldn't know it by these idiotic staements.

[truthisfreedom]

6. Rumsfeldt's grammar shows how little he cares about doing the right thing.