The US: Fist fighter in diplomatic arena

The US is fighting for a good cause, but it doesn´t know how to sell it diplomatically. It better gets its acts together soon and start trying to combine force and diplomacy.

This is the core argument of Fareed Zakaria in Newsweek. And he is right.
In a post Saddam world the US needs more and better diplomacy. It must not alienate its allies and convince its enemies.

What better way then to have a clean cut victory in hand.

The Arrogant Empire
- posted by DD @ 17:04 Perma Link/Print  

 
The Last Day of Diplomacy


Some Links of importance

The Legal question of invading Iraq
After the non event of the second resolution and the Anglo- American drive to war, the question of the legality of a war arose.
The french Monique Chemillier-Gendreau, proffessor of International Law in Paris VII, says no.
"Une guerre serait illégale" TF 1

The British Attorney General Goldsmith says yes.
+ Legal basis for use of force against Iraq
Attorney General's Iraq response BBC online

Secretary General of the UN Koffi Anan is much more diplomatic (cautious).
Q: Do you believe part of 1441, is it legal or not legal?

SG: I think I have made my position very clear on that and I have indicated to you that if ... let's have a bit of order and calm here....I have made it very clear that in my judgement if the Council were to be able to manage this process successfully and most of the collective will to handle this operation, its own reputation and credibility would have been enhanced. And I have also said if the action is to take place without the support of the Council, its legitimacy will be questioned and the support for it will be diminished.

New York - Press Encounter with the Secretary-General at the Security Council stakeout 17 March

Or maybe the US will follow Robert Fisks advice: Robert Fisk: The forgotten power of the General Assembly

The statement of the Azores summit

The answer of French President Chirac: INTERVIEW ACCORDEE PAR MONSIEUR JACQUES CHIRAC PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE AUX TELEVISIONS AMERICAINES "CBS" ET "CNN" PALAIS DE L'ELYSEE DIMANCHE 16 MARS 2003

Meanwhile PM Blair paints a picture of the future: PM outlines vision for Iraq and the Iraqi people

You may support the removal of Saddam, but not liking its most powerful opponent; President Bush. Some prefer the much more intelligent and convincing PM Blair. New York Times columnist Friedman is one.
Thomas L. Friedman: Less John Wayne; more John Kennedy

In January the Amsterdam Post already hailed Blair as EU president.
Common sense from a Social- Democrat: Tony Blair for EU President!
- posted by DD @ 02:18 Perma Link/Print  

 
The last 10 minutes of footage inside the Columbia space shuttle just before it crashes

Shuttle crew's last minutes shown BBC Online
- posted by DD @ 22:50 Perma Link/Print