A constant bone of contention by presidential candidate John Kerry with regard to the Iraqi conflict is that he would have enjoined a broader coalition than is currently on board. To date he has yet to name the countries that he would have been able to bring on board. It should be noted that the only major European allies not to join the coalition are France, Germany and Russia. It should also be noted that the aforementioned three all voted as U.N. Security Council members against our Iraqi proposal.
It is a matter of record that these three countries were primary providers of arms and/or technical services for Saddam’s Iraq in spite of U.N. sanctions. Their complicity began even prior to the first Iraqi war when Kuwait was invaded and continued on until the current conflict. It would appear that their negative vote in the U.N. was most likely to protect their economic investment.
The question then is how would Kerry enlist these dissenters for a broader coalition. We do know that both France and Germany have stated they want no part of the current Iraqi situation and Russia has its hands full at home. There is no question that they would entertain a piece of the reconstruction pie. If these major three are out of the picture, then who is Kerry referring to?
Another time-bomb regarding France, Germany and Russia is just how deeply they, as well as others, are involved in the U.N. Iraqi oil for food scandal which is currently under investigation, reluctantly by the U.N. and sincerely by the U.S. Congress. Rumors are rampant but only time will tell, assuming a massive cover-up is not effective.
RAY DORBOLO
Everett
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