Interesting Timing

[Leonis]

It appears that the extention of time given to the weapons inspectors coincides with the US forces (and UK and Australia's?) being in position and ready to invade.

Could it be that the UN isn't actually 'holding back' the US from invading, but playing a diplomatic game until the troops are ready? Making it look to the average person that they want to avoid war at all costs when really their agenda is of a closer alignment to the USA's than it appears?

I may be being either cynical or naive, or both here. But what are your thoughts?

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Leonis: It appears that the extention of time given to the weapons inspectors coincides with the US forces (and UK and Australia's?) being in position and ready to invade. Could it be that the UN isn't actually 'holding back' the US from invading, but playing a diplomatic game until the troops are ready? Making it look to the average person that they want to avoid war at all costs when really their agenda is of a closer alignment to the USA's than it appears? I may be being either cynical or naive, or both here. But what are your thoughts?

My thoughts? Never trust anyone in a business suit, because that's all they care about: business.
[img]smile.gif[/img] ...

[Ronn_Bman]

I don't think it's a matter of the nations who oppose military action, at this point, "covering", but the time it takes to put something of this scale together does give those not immediately involved time to put forth several positions before adopting their final position.

[Thoran]

I'm sure there's a whole lot more going on in the "halls of power" than we're aware of.

I was reading today about how in Europe only France and Germany are opposing the US driven military option. It makes me wonder if perhaps one or both are really working with the US & allies and setting up a "house of cards" type manuver. They both maintain staltwart opposition to war as the US and England bang the drum louder and louder, then once all troops are in place, the US releases some "new" evidence and all of a sudden Germany, France, maybe Russia jump over to the war bandwagon. This would create ENORMOUS pressure on Saddam to comply... to buckle like a house of cards as "opposition" folds. It might be a last ditch effort to avoid war.

Of course it might be exactly what it looks like, two countries exercising their autonomy and asking for a common sense approach to the problem in the face of extensive political pressure to join the allies. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by The Hierophant: My thoughts? Never trust anyone in a business suit, because that's all they care about: business. [img]smile.gif[/img] ...

Heeeyyyy..... I resemble that remark!

[Chewbacca]

As I recall last night news, only eight out of eighteen NATO members signed a proclaimation supporting the U.S. push for war. Sorry I dont have a link but it was on CNN, Newsnight or Lou Dobbs.

Also, the most recent Time magazine clearly details which European countries are against war and why. Clearly, the majority of nations are for a diplomatic resolution to this conflict.

[ 01-30-2003, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

[Leonis]

Just thought I'd add another conspiracy theory... So much goes on that we don't know.

And if the US is right, it would be a good tactic.

Last I heard, former UN chief weapons inspector Richard Butler was saying it appeared that Russia was altering it's position. He's predicted that if they come around fully, it will cause the others to capitulate and an invasion will follow.

[Thoran]

I thought the other night I heard CNN talking about how a group of European leaders had drafted a letter in support of the US, and that only France and Germany hadn't signed it. Who knows, maybe I misheard.

[The Hierophant]

Originally posted by Thoran: I thought the other night I heard CNN talking about how a group of European leaders had drafted a letter in support of the US, and that only France and Germany hadn't signed it. Who knows, maybe I misheard.

Yes, that's true. There was a thinly-veiled appeal to Germany and France to join them and the US in attacking Iraq.
But hey, when France and Germany inevitably do join, it will look like a last-resort effort and the moral high-ground will be maintained, just as Leonis said. Makes perfect sense. Absolutely no hard evidence to prove it, but it makes perfect sense [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Ar-Cunin]

Originally posted by Thoran: I thought the other night I heard CNN talking about how a group of European leaders had drafted a letter in support of the US, and that only France and Germany hadn't signed it. Who knows, maybe I misheard.

Yes - the signers were the Prime Ministers of Spain (who drafted the letter), GB, Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Polen, Hungary and the President of the Chech Republic.

Besides France and Germany (that I know of), Sweden and Greece has expressed concern over the letter, and since Greece holds the EU-presidency they have called for an extra summit meeting between the EU heads-of-state to find a compromise to the internal dispute.