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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

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almarst2003 - 12:09pm Mar 19, 2003 EST (# 10205 of 10215)

People in Baghdad prepare for war while members of the "coalition of the willing" show their colours, writes Brian Whitaker

Wednesday March 19, 2003

Tony Blair need not go into exile just yet. Last night his government won formal backing for war with Iraq when parliament voted 2-1 in favour. This was despite the biggest ever revolt by MPs. Among the ruling Labour party, 139 members rebelled, and 16 Conservatives, 53 Liberal Democrats and 11 others joined them. But because of Mr Blair's massive built-in majority, it was still well short of the total that might have forced regime change in Britain.

In other developments overnight, the Turkish government said it will try again to get permission from parliament for US warplanes to fly over its territory, and the White House suddenly changed the terms of its ultimatum to Saddam Hussein.

The Iraqi leader had earlier been given 48 hours to avert war by fleeing Iraq along with his two appalling sons, but last night White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said US forces would invade "no matter what". The excuse, apparently, is that they need to hunt for weapons of mass destruction.

The official UN weapons inspectors, meanwhile, have all been evacuated from Iraq - several of them complaining about the curtailment of their work and the aspersions that have been cast on their professional abilities. What chance they'll sue President Bush for constructive dismissal?

Colin Powell claimed last night that 45 countries have now joined the "coalition of the willing" against Iraq. They include such key players as Afghanistan, Latvia, Lithuania, Nicaragua and Uzbekistan, but 15 of them have asked not to be named until they see which way the war is going.

In some cases, calling these countries supporters of the war would be extremely generous with the truth - a bit like describing concrete posts that hold up a football stadium as "supporters" of Manchester United. Spain, whose smiling little prime minister managed to get his photo taken next to George Bush and Mr Blair at the weekend, has confirmed that it won't actually be sending any troops.

Talking of support, an opinion poll this morning by the Washington-based Pew Research Center finds rapidly declining enthusiasm for the United States in Europe. In Italy, only 34% view the US favourably, compared with 70% in 2002. The current figure for Britain is 48%, Spain 14%, France 31% and Germany 25%.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,917444,00.html

almarst2003 - 12:38pm Mar 19, 2003 EST (# 10206 of 10215)

VOTE NO ON WAR http://www.votenowar.org/

UNITED EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN: This Week

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19: No Business as Usual! No War on Iraq! NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION

Tuesday, March 18: Emergency Convergence in New York City in Union Square at 5 pm

George W. Bush has promised to unleash an all-out war against Iraq, possibly as soon as Wednesday, March 19. We join with peace-loving people all over the world in challenging this 48 hour war ultimatum. At this critical moment, we urge all people of conscience to oppose this illegal war of aggression by participating in the following actions:

1) Tuesday, March 18, 5 p.m. Emergency New York City convergence at Union Square

2) Wednesday, March 19: Walkout! No Business as Usual! Converge and demonstrate on the day of the Bush ultimatum.