I just read transcript of US President Bush's speech of 2003 Feb 26 on
the future of Iraq. It provides an interesting insight into the
public expression of US policy Middle East.
The transcript came from the Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, Australia:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/02/27/1046064150688.html
Clearly, many people distrust Bush. In the US, for example, some
people say that Bush's untrustworthyness has cost the US vast amounts
of money in its dealings with Turkey: apparently, the Turks want cash
in return for help they provide the US, not promises that may be
broken.
However, regardless of what you think of Bush's honesty, in his
speech, he made statements that can act as a guide to policy.
Perhaps he holds to the truth or goodness of his statements, or
perhaps, as Fron�ois, Duc de las Rochefoucauld said,
Hypocrisy is the homage that vice pays to virtue.
Either way, the statements can be evaluated on their own.
Rather than ask you to read the speech, I have drawn up a list of
`should' and `should not' statements based on stated US policy; I am
curious whether and why you agree or disagree with one or the other.
Obviously, `the devil is in the details', but the analysis here is
based first on principles, as Soviet diplomats would say, rather than
on details, which people in this list are unlikely to want to consider.
Here are the `should' and `should not' statements, each accompanied by
one alternative out of the several available.
Israel should support the creation of a viable, peaceful, and
democratic Palestinian state.
An alternative is that Israel oppose a Palestinian state, which
could mean that the non-Israeli land on the West Bank rejoins
Jordan; or that Israel annexes it, perhaps after removing the
local population.
Arab governments should support the creation of a viable, peaceful,
and democratic Palestinian state.
An alternative is that Arab governments incorporate refugees from
the Israeli/Palestinian areas into their own countries, rather
than insist they have a country, Palestine, to which to return.
The Kurds in Iraq should not be permitted to create an independent and
viable Kurdish state, but should remain within Iraq.
An alternative is that the Kurds claim independence, thereby
upsetting the Turks, Iranians, Syrians, as well as other Iraqis.
Israel should end settlement activity in the occupied territories.
An alternative is that Israel continue to subsidize and defend
Israeli settlements among people, the majority of whom are
against these settlements.
Arab governments should oppose terrorism.
An alternative is that Arab governments provide support for
military actions against Israel and others.
Arab governments should state clearly they will live in peace with
Israel.
An alternative is that Arab governments continue to remain in a
state of war with Israel.
Arab governments should work towards greater political participation.
An alternative is that Arab governments continue to remain
dictatorships.
International bodies should have the authority, the will, and the
means to stop the spread of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.
An alternative is that an single hegemonic power act as it likes
to stop what it claims is the spread of chemical, biological, or
nuclear weapons.
The Iraqi goverment should follow the resolutions of the the United
Nations and fully disarm.
An alternative is that the Iraqi goverment should pretend to
follow the resolutions, but not implement disarmament actions
unless forced.
Iraqi oil resources should be used for the benefit of the Iraqi
people.
An alternative is that Iraqi resources be used for the benefit of
only some of the Iraqi people or for the benefit of foreigners.
Non-Iraqis should provide medicine for Iraqi sick.
An alternative is that medicines should be kept from some Iraqi
sick.
Non-Iraqis should ensure that Iraq's 55,000 food distribution sites,
operating under the Oil For Food program, are stocked and open.
An alternative is that some of Iraq's food distribution sites be
shut, and that the people in those areas, especially children,
starve.
The Iraqi goverment should not make a payment to the families of
suicide bombers/martyrs that is 15 times the per capta income of the
region if one of the families sons or daughters successfully commits
suicide in a bombing.
An alternative is that the Iraqi goverment should pay US$25,000 to
each family of suicide bombers/martyrs.
Families, class members, and co-religionists of people killed in Iraq
should not be permitted to gain revenge against murderers.
An alternative is that revenge, perceived as justice, be permitted.
--
Robert J. Chassell Rattlesnake Enterprises
http://www.rattlesnake.com GnuPG Key ID: 004B4AC8
http://www.teak.cc [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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