History reminder: US greenlighted Saddam's invasion of Kuwait

[Alpharetta]

I had forgotten about this. I did a search on "permission to invade Kuwait" The very first link Google returns? A FreeRepublic posting

posting is here:

On July 25, 1990, eight days before the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, a quiet, largely unreported meeting took place between Saddam Hussein and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad, which has since been destroyed by the war. The transcript of this meeting is as follows:

U.S. Ambassador Glaspie:

"I have direct instructions from President Bush to improve our relations with Iraq. We have considerable sympathy for your quest for higher oil prices, the immediate cause of your confrontation with Kuwait. (pause) As you know, I have lived here for years and admire your extraordinary efforts to rebuild your country. We know you need funds. We understand that, and our opinion is that you should have the opportunity to rebuild your country. (pause) We can see that you have deployed massive numbers of troops in the south. Normally that would be none of our business, but when this happens in the context of your other threats against Kuwait, then it would be reasonable for us to be concerned. For this reason, I have received an instruction to ask you, in the spirit of friendship - not confrontation - regarding your intentions: Why are your troops massed so very close to Kuwait's borders?"


Saddam Hussein:

"As you know, for years now I have made every effort to reach a settlement on our dispute with Kuwait. There is to be a meeting in two days; I am prepared to give negotiations only this one more brief chance. (pause) When we meet and we see there is hope, then nothing will happen. But if we are unable to find a solution, then it will be natural that Iraq will not accept death."


U.S. Ambassador Glaspie:

"What solutions would be acceptable?"


Saddam Hussein:

"If we could keep the whole of the Shatt al Arab - our strategic goal in our war with Iran - we will make concessions (to the Kuwaitis). But, if we are forced to choose between keeping half of the Shatt and the whole of Iraq (which, in Saddam's view, includes Kuwait) then we will give up all of the Shatt to defend our claims on Kuwait to keep the whole of Iraq in the shape we wish it to be. (pause) What is the United States' opinion on this?"


(Pause, then Ambassador Glaspie speaks carefully)


U.S. Ambassador Glaspie:

"We have no opinion on your Arab-Arab conflicts, such as your dispute with Kuwait. Secretary (of State James) Baker has directed me to emphasize the instruction, first given to Iraq in the 1960's that the Kuwait issue is not associated with America."


(Saddam smiles.)

[Alpharetta]

1. but now I remember how suspicious of Bush I was

I remember wondering if Bush allowed Saddam to make the first move so Bush could get a war going and get rid of his "wimp factor".

[whistle]

2. Boy was that a set-up or what....

...If Bush Sr. instructed Ambassador Glaspie to use those words he was planning to fry Saddam when he acted. And that was what he did! Like father, like son, but the son is so much dumber.:dunce:

[truizm]

3. The Fire This Time: US War Crimes in the Gulf War

by former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark.

[bpilgrim]

4. our OLD M.O. - they used to ALWAYS strike FIRST - EVERYTHINGS CHANGED!

http://news.globalfreepress.com/mp3/trifecta.mp3

June 14, 2002
Remarks by the President in Texans for Rick Perry Reception
Hyatt Regency Hotel
Houston, Texas
6:09 P.M. CDT
<clip>
You know, when I was one time campaigning in Chicago, a reporter said, would you ever have a deficit? And I said, I can't imagine it, but there would be one if we had a war, or a national emergency, or a recession. (Laughter.) Never did I dream we'd get the trifecta. (Laughter.)
<clip>
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020614-8.html

more...
http://news.globalfreepress.com/trifecta

peace

[xray s]

5. Now here is the crux of the biscuit

Did Poppy;

A) Bumble fuck his way into a war that could have been prevented had his ambassador given a clear warning to Hussein not to invade Kuwait and showed Hussein he was serious by putting the American military on high alert and letting Hussein know it?

Or...

B) He punk'd Hussein into invading Kuwait so Bush could fight a war and greatly increase the presence of the US military throughout the Middle East.


Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of auld lang syne?

[Catshrink]

6. Check out this video about the US history with Saddam

http://www.ericblumrich.com/thanks.html