UN In, US Out

[goodhue]

Is Kucinich premature or prescient?

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/italy_iraq_resignation

Italian: U.S. Is Fueling Iraqi Anger
Mon Nov 17,12:52 PM ET

By NICOLE WINFIELD, Associated Press Writer

ROME - An Italian official resigned from the U.S.-led administration running Iraq, saying it is mismanaging reconstruction, out of touch with Iraqis and only fueling their anger, the Foreign Ministry and news reports said Monday.

"The provisional authority simply doesn't work," Marco Calamai, a special counselor to the authority in the province of Dhi Qar, told reporters in announcing his resignation, according to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

Calamai said only an interim authority headed by the United Nations could turn things around.

He said the American-led administration, headed by L. Paul Bremer, doesn't understand Iraqi society and has muddled reconstruction projects by delaying financing. He said its policies were in part to blame for last week's attack on the Italian Carabinieri barracks that killed 19 Italians, as well as 14 others.

The U.S.-led authority has created "delusion, social discontent and anger" among Iraqis and allowed terrorism to "easily take root," Corriere quoted Calamai as telling Italian journalists Sunday in Nasiriyah.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

1. "only an interim authority headed by the United Nations"

"only an interim authority headed by the United Nations could turn things around"

I agree. So why is Dean proposing to have NATO take over?

NATO troops will just be viewed as modern day crusaders.

The UN is the only organization with the credibility to do this.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Because the UN really does not have an

army

Now NATO could go in and do the job, insofar as security is
concerned, with police trainers from all over the world

And they could even report to ... the UN Security Council

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. LOL.

In case you didn't realize it, NATO doesn't have an army either.

[LuminousX]

6. Pardon?

Just what does SHARP command? Yes, NATO draws from it's membership to form the army, but that is another reason why they have NATO training and why signatories are required to have standarized military equipment.

NATO nations are the only ones with the equipment and resources to make it work.

I agree that the governance issue needs to be handled by the UN.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. Yeah, the UN doesn't have an army, neither does NATO

Why argue about it? You even admit in your message that NATO doesn't have an army. The member states have armies, just like the member states of the UN have armies.

The UN has authorized multi-national forces many times before. To say that the reason not to use the UN is because the UN doesn't have an army is nothing but a red-herring.

Rather than pursuing this red-herring, please answer this:

Why would an all-European force be viewed by the Iraqis as less of an occupation army than a truly multi-national force authorized by the UN?


NATO would be viewed as modern-day crusaders. We might as well paint crosses on their helmets, they'll make better targets that way.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. I have a silly fantasy.

My fantasy is that the insurgents in Iraq don't want the US to leave on its own schedule. They want them to leave on the Iraqi schedule, which will be a lot longer and allow the insurgents to kill a lot of people and break a lot of things.

American people and American things.

[Tinoire]

5. DK is unfortunately too advanced for most voters

What a crying shame.

Any old joker or fast talker will do for President it seems.

This occupation is going to turn very, very badly and we deserve whatever we're going to reap.

BAAAH on the candidates touting and supporting the occupation. Of course, two of them will waffle on their positions shortly and scores of people will be out to convince us that they never supported the occupation. US corporations and the MIC demand the occupation of Iraq. Israel demands the occupation of Iraq. PNAC demands the occupation of Iraq.

Only a strong Progressive like Kucinich has the wisdom to understand that there is no way to benignly occupy a country (especially after you've pulverized it) and that the US can not go about business doing the same ole, same old.

All the people who think that voting in their version of the next Clinton will do squat to regain our place at the international table are deluding themselves. The US has lost. I hope we have the wisdom to elect the only candidate who understands the humble contriteness and political honesty with which we will have to start dealing with the rest of the world if we expect them not to totally destroy and alienate us.

It's enough to make one sick.

[redqueen]

8. Brava!

Well put. Great job.

:toast:

[goodhue]

9. prescient methinks

Press releases from March 2003 . . .

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030317responsetorpes.html

For Immediate Release
Monday, March 17, 2003
President’s War Notice:
Dramatic Failure of US World Leadership
War Will Tarnish US Reputation

The President’s decision to push our nation, and the world, to the brink of war, in the face of intense international opposition, and without UN approval is a failure by this Administration to exercise world leadership and a grave mistake, stated Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) tonight.

Kucinich, who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement tonight following the President’s remarks to the nation:

“The President’s decision to push our nation, and the world, to the brink of war, in the face of intense international opposition, and without UN approval is a failure by this Administration to exercise world leadership and a grave mistake.

“The Administration’s decision to withdraw its resolution from the United Nations Security Council is a dramatic admission of its failure to convince the world of its case against Iraq.

“Our international allies do not believe President Bush’s case for war. Iraq poses no imminent threat to our nation. The Administration has produced no credible evidence connecting Iraq and 9/11.

“Containment and inspections have worked in the past and can continue to work. The President’s decision to withdraw from the UN process has ended weapons inspections that were under way in Iraq.

“If the President takes the US to war without UN approval he will diminish America’s moral standing in the world, squander international sympathy created in the wake of 9/11, and waste international goodwill created by many years of foreign diplomacy.

“The President’s predetermined march to war, in the face of international opposition, far from making our country more safe, will put our nation at greater risk.

“This is an historic moment in our nation’s history. Today, instead of embracing the international community in a shared vision of peaceful disarmament, the Administration has forced our nation into an isolated mission of regime change.”


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030318gravemistake.html

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
President’s War Is A Grave Mistake
Makes Nation Less Safe; Alienates Allies

The President’s decision to push our nation, and the world, to the brink of war, in the face of intense international opposition, is a grave mistake that will make our country less safe and alienate our allies, stated Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) tonight.

Kucinich, who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement today:

“If the President takes the US to war without UN approval he will diminish America’s moral standing in the world, squander international sympathy created in the wake of 9/11, and waste international goodwill created by many years of foreign diplomacy. This is a grave mistake that will make our country less safe and alienate our allies.

“The Administration’s decision to withdraw its resolution from the United Nations Security Council is a dramatic admission of its failure to convince the world of its case against Iraq. The failure by the Administration to gain UN support for the President’s war undermines the United States war effort.

“In aggressively pursing war, against the will of the international community, the Administration has isolated our nation from the international community, undermined the UN, and alienated our allies.

“Iraq poses no imminent threat to our nation. The Administration has produced no credible evidence connecting Iraq and 9/11. Yet, because of the President’s march to war, our nation is a greater risk of a terrorist attack. By his Administration’s own admission war with Iraq has forced our nation to be placed on a ‘high’ terror alert status.

The President’s war is unnecessary, illegal, and dangerous. In the name of protect our nation, the President is pursing a course which will make our country less safe.”


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030319rallystatement.html

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
National Peace Lobby Project Rally At The Capitol
Statement by Dennis J. Kucinich
March 19, 2003

I am here today to speak out against the unprovoked attack that the Bush Administration is intent on unleashing in Iraq.

This war is not a noble fight. This war is not about defending the United States from a foreign threat in Iraq. This war is not about the U.S. trying to save or liberate the Iraqi people. This is not about an Iraqi nuclear threat.

The President at the State of the Union address, and Secretary Powell in front of the United Nations, said that they had evidence that Iraq was trying to procure uranium from Niger. Their main argument for going to war was that Iraq posed a threat because of their capabilities to acquire nuclear weapons.

But this evidence is completely false. The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency Director Mohammed ElBaradei said that the documentary evidence was not authentic. The Washington Post reported the evidence to be sloppily forged letters. Even the CIA, which examined the evidence back in 1991, never found the evidence to be reliable.

And yet, this Administration, all the while knowing, has completely misled the international community and the American people. By repeating falsifications and misrepresenting reality, this Administration has led America to launch an unprovoked attack against another country.

This unprovoked attack is un-American.

We must all continue to speak out against this war. Even after the bombs start falling, this war will still be an illegal war.

I support the troops. I do not support this mission.


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030319untrue.html

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 19, 2003

On The Eve Of War: Kucinich Introduces A Bill To Nullify Use Of Force Resolution

Administration’s Case For War Based On Claims That Are ‘Untrue, Unfounded, Dubious or Disproven’

Today, as the President has forced our nation to the brink of war, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) offered a bill, H Con Res. 101, to nullify H.J. Res. 114, the Authorization for Use of Force in Iraq.

The bill states:

“Whereas, on the eve of an unprovoked military attack by the United States against the country of Iraq, the public is learning that the Administration’s rationale for commencing hostilities is based on a series of claims that are untrue, unfounded, dubious or disproven…Whereas, as a nation, the United States does not have grounds for launching a war against a country that poses no imminent or direct threat to us or our allies; Now, therefore be it resolved, That it is the Sense of the Congress that the October 10, 2002 Authorization for Use of Force in Iraq (H.J.Res 114) is null and void.”

Time and time again, the statements and accusations that this Administration has based its case for war on have been false or disproven. Despite misleading claims by the Administration, Iraq is not a nuclear threat. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Mohamed El Baradei has said that there is no evidence of resumed nuclear activates in Iraq. And, despite numerous claims by the Administration that Iraq has ties with Al-Qaeda and the potential to share weapons of mass destruction with Iraq, its own CIA Director told Congress that this unlikely to happen.

“The President’s case for war is a sham,” stated Kucinich. “It is based on untrue, unfounded and disproven allegations. The Administration has repeated these untruths in order to whip sentiment to launch an unprovoked attack against Iraq. The country has been misled and deceived.”


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030319warstarts.html

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Sad Day For Nation

Statement of Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich On the American Lead Attack On Iraq

This evening, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement:

“This is a sad day for America, the world community, and the people of Iraq. Tonight, I hope and pray for the safe return of our troops and the end to this unjustified war.

“President Bush has launched an unprovoked attack against another country. Iraq does not pose an imminent threat to the United States or any of its neighboring nations. Iraq was not responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11. Tonight, President Bush has commanded U.S. forces to go to war in violation of American traditions of defensive war that have lasted since George Washington. This war is wrong; it violates the Constitution and international law.”


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030320shockawe.html

For Immediate Release
Friday, March 21, 2003
Statement of Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich

On the ‘Shock and Awe’ Air Campaign

This afternoon, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement on the ‘shock and awe’ air campaign:

“Today is a sad day, the United States has begun its ‘shock and awe’ air campaign against Iraq. By all accounts this attack will rain thousands of bombs down on a heavily populated area.

“The ‘shock and awe’ air campaign is a horrific acceleration of the United States’ unprovoked attack against Iraq. This air campaign is designed to aim the full might of the United States military apparatus at the center of a civilian population.

“Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the coalition service men and women serving in the region and with the innocent Iraqi civilians. We must end this unjustified war.”


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030324cost.html

For Immediate Release
Monday, March 24, 2003
Kucinich on the Cost of War

Today, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement on the cost of war:

"The bill for this unprovoked attack is just starting to come in, and the American people should start worrying that Administration has lost control over the costs.

"In fiscal terms, the costs for this unprovoked, and therefore preventable, war could have covered giving every American child safe, enriching pre-kindergarten classes or every American senior citizen prescription drug coverage for one year.

"It is shameful and irresponsible that the Administration released this information only after Congress considered and approved its fiscal budget for 2004. The budget, passed by Congress after war had begun, included a $700 billion dollar tax give away to the wealth but not the cost of war.

“The Administration's priorities are out of step with what America needs, and this war will cause America more problems than it could ever solve: it will fan anti-American flames overseas, divert attention from unmet domestic needs, such as stimulating the weak economy, and plunge the U.S. government deeper into debt that today's children will be paying when they are adults.

“Americans are beginning to learn the cost of war in terms of human life. It is time to reflect on what this war will cost America in terms of the brave men and women who serve, in terms of the lost of innocent life, the sacrifice of the domestic agenda and the ruination of America’s standing in the world.”


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030327iraqpressconf.html

For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Kucinich: This War is Wrong And Must End

Today, at a press conference on Capitol Hill, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement:

“This Administration has never made its case for war against Iraq. It is an unjustified war, which the Administration continues to misrepresent and exaggerate. The most recent example is the Administration's characterization of international coalition support for this war.

“This morning, President Bush once again exaggerated the extent of support for the war stating that the coalition of countries supporting this war is larger than the 1991 Gulf War. What Bush failed to mention was that back in 1991, all of the 34 coalition members offered military force, by contributing troops on the ground, aircraft, ships or medics.

“This war involves the troops of only the U.S., Britain, Australia, Poland and Albania. Not even the three members of the Security Council that support the war, Spain, Italy, and Bulgaria are committing military support.

“This Bush Administration has been adding coalition member to their list based on statements of “moral” support. As the Washington Post reported last week, if this type of criteria was used back in 1991, the size of the coalition would likely have topped 100 countries.

“Further, the total cost of the Gulf War to the United States was around $4 billion dollars. This time, the President has come to Congress requesting a $75 billion bill, all of which will be paid by U. S. taxpayers. Clearly, military and economic support from countries is far more important than statements of “well-wishes”.

“This war must end now. It was unjust when it started last week, and is still unjust today. The U.S. should get out now and try to save the lives of American troops and Iraqi citizens. Most importantly, ending the war now and resuming weapons inspections could salvage world opinion of the United States, which has been deteriorating since the talk of war began. After all, the greatest threat to the United States at this time is terrorism, which is breeding from this war.”


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030328stopwarnow.html

For Immediate Release
Friday, March 28, 2003
Kucinich: Stop War Now, Bring Troops Home

Today, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement:

“This war is illegal and wrong, we must stop it now and bring our troops home.

“As the human and fiscal costs of this war become clear, now more than ever it is urgent that the United States bring our troops home. We must end this war and allow the United Nations (UN) to search for suspected weapons of mass destruction and provide humanitarian relief to the people of Iraq.

“We are at a critical point in this war. Our troops are poised on the edge of what almost all military experts say will be the toughest and potentially most deadly phase of this war. This war must end now. It was unjust when it started last week, and is still unjust today. The U.S. should get out now and try to save the lives of American troops and Iraqi citizens.”


http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030331Presidentmislead.html

For Immediate Release
Monday, March 31, 2003
Kucinich: President Continues to Mislead
The Country About the War

Today, Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who leads opposition in the House to the war in Iraq, issued the following statement:

“Today, President Bush said the following to Coast Guard personnel: Our victory will remove a sponsor of terror, armed with weapons of terror. Our victory will uphold the just demands of the United Nations and the civilized world.

“This statement is another example of rhetoric that the Administration is using to mislead the public in the war against Iraq. Iraq has not been proven to have weapons of mass destruction, by either the United Nations or the United States. Further, this statement falsely implies that the United Nations and ‘the civilized world’ sanctioned war in Iraq. It also incorrectly implies that the United Nations sanctioned regime change and the removal of Saddam Hussein.

“This Administration has consistently misled the public on the cost of war, the cause for war, the facts of war, and the support for war. It is time to end this war immediately and bring the troops home.”

[idontwantaname]

12. A+

.

[goodhue]

10. Attacks will continue until US leaves

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=465083

Attacks will continue until day the Americans leave, says report
By Patrick Cockburn
19 November 2003


As George Bush arrived in London last night, an unprecedented and bleak assessment of the deteriorating military situation in Iraq was circulating among policymakers in Washington.

The report - contradicting many claims by the US administration - is based on briefings by Paul Bremer, the US de facto governor of Iraq; military commanders, unnamed intelligence officers and David Kay, the American who leads the hunt for Saddam's alleged weapons of mass destruction. It says attacks on Americans by Sunni Iraqis will continue "until the day the US leaves".

US army commanders are also learning how Saddam Hussein forced his officers to read Black Hawk Down - the account of the shooting down of US helicopters in Mogadishu during America's disastrous intervention in Somalia in the early 1990s - to convince them the US would leave if it suffered major casualties. The Iraqi resistance movement is believed to have a war chest of up to $1bn - with a further $3bn hidden in Syria - and it is paying between $25 and $500 for each attack on US forces.

It also says 95 per cent of the threat is from former regime loyalists and that suicide bombings are being carried out largely by foreigners.

The report, compiled by the prestigious Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), is all the more devastating because of the unusual level of access provided to its author, Dr Anthony Cordesman, a specialist on Iraq. He concludes that US soldiers are dying because of the ideological approach of the administration, and "four years into office, the Bush national security team is not a team".

[no name no slogan]

13. That headline reminds me of the old saying

"Floggings will continue until morale improves". But THIS time, it makes a hell of a lot more sense.

The main reason for the attacks is the fact that US forces are running the show. Give control of the country to a TRUE coalition (not just the US/Australia/Poland/Eritrea/Tonga coalition we have now), and watch how the number of attacks will go down.

UN IN --> US OUT. It really is that simple.

[redqueen]

11. Kick!

Because he IS right!

:)

[goodhue]

14. Bring Troops Home

10/22/2003
Kucinich Supports Movement to Bring Troops Home

http://www.kucinich.us/statements.htm#100903

"Let me say it clearly: It is time to bring the troops home! It is time to get the UN in and the US out of Iraq....
"It is time for the United States to rejoin the world community in the interests of international security. I am running for President to completely change the direction of US foreign and domestic policy. I plan to cut the bloated Pentagon budget by 15 percent and use the money for universal pre-school. I plan to establish a cabinet-level Department of Peace to make nonviolence an organizing principle in our foreign and domestic affairs.

"If those of you who share these goals join this campaign, help us organize door-to-door and over the phone lines, we will win the Democratic nomination and give the American people a real choice in next year's election, a reason to vote, an opportunity to make this country a leader in peace, not war. And it will be the war profiteers who have to gather in a small corner of this great space and hold a protest, because the White House will be closed to them."

[audibledevil]

15. Kucinich is a psycho

A. He's not commander in chief of the UN. He can't order UN troops in.
B. This would kill US power and encourage terrorists nationwide.

If its Kucinich vs. Bush, i'll stay at home.

[AnAmerican]

17. <shaking head>

Just a question.....how old are you? Isn't it your bedtime?

[Desertrose]

18. I hate to break it to you but....

He's not commander in chief of the UN. He can't order UN troops in.

Maybe not- but he's a grownup who knows how to approach things in a diplomatic manner with the intent of working together to the benefit of both/all sides....


This would kill US power and encourage terrorists nationwide.

I think its too late.....already happening....aren't you paying attention???

and so you'd stay home....wow....just how bushie got in the first time.....


Peace
DR

[goodhue]

16. Kucinich Maintains Consistent Opposition to War, Occupation

http://www.kucinich.us/statements.htm#100903

10/17/2003
Kucinich Maintains Consistent Opposition to War, Occupation

"A majority in Congress has failed to challenge the Bush Administration on the perpetuation of a mission now widely understood to have been fraudulent. While some of my fellow presidential candidates voted against this bill in the end, their support and the support of some of the candidates who are not members of Congress should have come earlier and stronger. Their voices were dearly missed as opponents of an unjust and destabilizing occupation, while they quibbled about where the funding would come from.

"Those who voted for this war must come to terms with their mistake and work to correct it, rather than seeking a middle ground that does not exist. We must heighten our opposition to this occupation and advance a plan to bring our troops home rather than leaving them to be used for target practice. My fellow Congress Members largely evaded this life-and-death issue in favor of a debate over the source of funding for rebuilding Iraq."