A new Unocal/CIA creature like Karzai for Iraq?

["Dirk Adriaensens" <dirk.adriaensens@DELETETHISskynet.be>]

Hello all,

here is some good news from China. China has been advocating that the remaining issues from the 1991 US-led aggression on Iraq, including sanctions against Iraq, should be settled fairly and justly, and at an early date, on the basis of the related resolutions of the United Nations Security Council," Premier Zhu said. Let's hope that China means what it says.

But first let me start with a consideration. I find it very strange that no-one has made any comment on the next sentence, written by Peter Brooke (News 19/26/1/2 (1)):

"And that they probably wonąt amount to anything at all unless Mr Hussein really has his back to the wall.
So the only serious reason they could have for going to war is that it is the only way (short of restoring full control over the Iraqi economy into
the hands of the Iraqi government) of ending the murderous policy of sanctions. This should be borne in mind. Those in the US and British
establishments who are arguing against military intervention are arguing for the indefinite prolongation of sanctions and the continued steady death by
starvation and preventable disease of hundreds of thousands of people."
I find this sentence really lugubrious. Who do you have in mind to put in Mr Hussein's place? A new Unocal/CIA oil-creature like Karzai? Why can't we let Iraq decide for itself? Is that too much to ask? I find it very strange that a part of the anti-sanctions movement agrees with the idea of overthrowing Mr Hussein.

 

In the IAC-discussion list I found a rather good piece, written by a Carsten Heinrigs, that reflects more what I think about the situation in Iraq.

 

Greetings.

Dirk Adriaensens.

 

"Peace and stability in the Gulf region can't be achieved without a strong Iraq, both economically and militarily. The only other alternative seems to be a general disarmament of all countries in the region to achieve a certain military balance that way. This will obviously not happen because neither will the US stop to sell weapons or give military aid to their client states nor will there be serious disarmament negotiations involving all countries in the region.

The idea to convince the western alliance to give up their aggression against Iraq seems quite naive. It is like asking the military to give peace or capitalists to stop making profits.

It is not our business to question the Iraqi government in any way. We don't have anything to say or judge about internal Iraqi or regional affairs of the Gulf besides being interested outsiders. First and foremost we have to show respect and understanding of our responsibility for the suffering of the Iraqi people.

We should demand nothing less than the unconditional and immediate rehabilitation of Iraq and restoration of its full sovereignty in all aspects. We should demand an end to all military, economic and financial intervention of our countries in the Gulf region ( and elsewhere ). We should use the example of Iraq to further discredit and unmask the United Nations as an oppressive organization in support of the dominant powers.

Let's go with George Bush and state that either you are against the US and its allies or you are with them. There is no middle ground in a situation like we are in now and no basis for communication with those responsible for so much suffering worldwide."

 

 

China reiterates support for Iraq

Beijing, Jan. 28, Monitoring

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Monday during a meeting with visiting Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister that China is willing to continue its efforts toward a nearly solution to the Iraqi issue.

"China has been advocating that the remaining issues from the 1991 US-led aggression on Iraq, including sanctions against Iraq, should be settled fairly and justly, and at an early date, on the basis of the related resolutions of the United Nations Security Council," the Premier said.

"China also maintains that Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected by the international community," Zhu said.

Zhu pointed out that China hopes Iraq will strengthen its cooperation with the United Nations and endeavor to improve its relations with neighboring countries to create conditions for an early lifting of sanctions against it.

China is willing to continue its efforts towards an early solution to the Iraqi issue, Zhu said.

The Chinese Premier spoke highly of the smooth development of bilateral ties of friendly cooperation, noting that the strengthening of the traditional friendship and deepening cooperation are a common aspiration for both nations.

On the anti-terrorism issue, the premier said that China opposes terrorism of all forms, and it holds that in combating terrorism there should be no double standard and targets should not be want only extended.

Aziz said that he fully agrees with Premier Zhu's comments on bilateral relations. He extended President saddam Hussein's greetings to Chinese leaders.

Aziz said that Iraq attaches great importance to the role of China in international affairs. He spoke highly of China's stance on the Iraqi issue, and expects China will make new efforts in bringing an early solution to the Iraqi issue.

On the other hand, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister met with Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen.

The two sides discussed in details Iraq issue and its relation with the Security Council and the US schemes which target Iraq's security and territorial integrity and the continued sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1990.

The two sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

Aziz informed Qian of the latest development in the Iraqi issue and the stance of the Iraqi government. He said that the Iraqi issue has lasted for 12 years and has led to extreme hardships for the Iraqi people. Iraq hopes that sanctions against Iraq will be lifted as early as possible.

Qian Qichen said that China has always paid special attention to the development of the situation in Iraq, has sympathized deeply with the Iraqi suffering caused by the long standing sanctions, and has made great efforts to promote an early, just and rational settlement of the Iraqi issue.

Aziz spoke highly of China's principle position on the Iraqi issue, and expressed the hope that China will play a more active role in settling the Iraqi issue in a just and rational way.

Aziz confirmed that Iraq's friends should take decisive stand against the US schemes and to work for ending the 11-years long unjust sanctions.

Qichen expressed China's rejection of any aggression against Iraq, affirming the necessity of respecting Iraq's independence and sovereignty and lifting the sanctions.

On the other hand, Aziz met with Head of Contingence Office at Chinese Communist Party Dai Qua.

The meeting discussed friendship relations between Iraq's Arab Ba'th Socialist Party and Chinese Communist Party and the confirmation on consolidating and developing them in intellectual fields and exchanging the experts and the visits between the two Party's officials.

Aziz explained the situations related to the continued sanctions and the US threats against Iraq.

The Chinese official expressed his country's support and sympathy with the leadership and people of Iraq and call to lift the sanctions on Iraq.