US Threat to Block Arms Inspectors

["D OC" <donaloc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just thought I'd post this link to the Belfast Torygraph - to give an idea
of the coverage which is happening in even very Conservative organs. The
hypocracy of the USA at this stage is overwhelming - and almost comic. Bush
et al seem completely ignorant of the almost worldwide sense of
bemusement/anxiety at their ham-fisted imperialist adventures.

Indicative of the level of opposition, I went into a Pharmacist's shop where
the elderly, not overly politicised, pharmacist was arguing with four US
tourists over their foreign policy. The US visitors were clearly ignorant of
even the most basic facts about the area and they were conceding ground all
over to the old man who wielded the names of countries and injustices as if
they were from his own village. It was something to see the pharmacist
trying to reach out to the Americans - there is a deep kindred-feeling
between our people and the 'Americans'. In a sense, the fact that the old
man was arguing at all was symbolic of the crisis in this relationship which
has resulted from the rise of Imperialism within the country. I guess that
Native Americans can vouch for their Imperialism since white man ever
stepped onto American soil but many here looked to the USA as a beacon of
freedom. That beacon of freedom is now becoming a spectre of self-righteous
destruction.

In Britain, Blair has gave a sop to the liberals within the party in
promising something in terms of Israel-Palestine Peace before the end of the
year. He spun the continuation of existing policies as the need to be 'more
bold' i.e. pushing on with greater privatisation (through PPPs/PFI) and by
maintaining his overall conservatism in regard to running the state and
economy. He also took a step further towards a pro-EMU position. It was
apparent that a proportion of the audience weren't clapping - not something
expected at a New Labour party conference.

Article:

US moves to 'thwart' weapons inspectors

By David Usborne and Kim Sengupta

America is pressing strongly to slow the momentum behind UN weapons
inspectors' preparations to re-enter Iraq following the deal that was struck
with Iraqi negotiators in Vienna yesterday.

Hans Blix, the chief UN weapons inspector, reached agreement with the Iraqi
officials on practical arrangements for unrestricted access for his teams,
clearing the way for their possible return within two weeks.

But the Americans, who insist that Iraq must lift restrictions on all sites
inside the country, last night repeated a threat to block the resumption of
inspections until new guidelines had been agreed by the UN Security Council,
where Washington holds a veto. A senior official said the Americans would
"move into thwart mode" if the UN inspectors returned to Iraq without such
instructions.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=338725


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