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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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rshow55 - 03:44pm Feb 5, 2003 EST (# 8596 of 8638)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

Text: China's Remarks to the U.N. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/05/international/05text_china.html

"First, the fact that foreign ministers from most of the council members are present at today's meeting shows the importance all parties attach to the authority and role of the Security Council and to their support for the resolution of the Iraqi issue within the framework of this world body.

"The Security Council has basically maintained unity and cooperation on this issue. This is of crucial importance to its appropriate resolution and represents the desire of the international community.

"Secondly, China welcomes the U.S. move to provide the United Nations with this information and evidence on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, which we believe is consistent with the spirit of Resolution 1441 and could help increase transparency.

"We hope that various parties will hand over their information and evidence to the UNMOVIC and the IAEA. This will help them with more effective inspections, and through their on-the-spot inspections, this information and evidence can also be evaluated. The two agencies should report their findings to the Security Council in a timely way.

"Thirdly, the inspections have been going on for more than two months now. The two agencies have been working very hard and their work deserves our recognition. It is their view that now they are not in the position to draw conclusions, and they suggested continuing the inspections. We should respect the views of the two agencies and support the continuation of their work. We hope that the upcoming trip to Iraq by Chairman Blix and Director General ElBaradei on the 8th would yield positive results.

"The two agencies pointed out not long ago some problems in the inspections. We urge Iraq to adopt a more proactive approach, make further explanations and clarification as soon as possible, and cooperate with the inspection process.

"Fourthly, the Security Council has a common stand on the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. This is fully reflected in relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly the unanimously adopted Resolution 1441.

"The most important aspect at present remains the full implementation of this resolution. As for what would be the next step, the Security Council should decide through discussions by all members on the basis of the results of the inspections.

"Fifthly, it is the universal desire of the international community to see a political settlement to the issue of Iraq within the U.N. framework and avoid any war. "

These are careful public statements - from countries that ought to be able to do some private cross-examining of the US, to remove some possible doubts about what Secretary Powell presented today.

The Iraqi response is a contrast:

Iraq Denounces Powell's Remarks at Security Council http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/05/international/middleeast/05wire-baghdad.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq on Thursday called Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech to the Security Council a "typical American show complete with stunts and special effects."

That wasn't helpful to the Iraqi cause.

almarst2002 - 03:47pm Feb 5, 2003 EST (# 8597 of 8638)

Mandela says Powell is undermining United States - http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030205/ap_wo_en_po/af_gen_south_africa_mandela_us_1

rshow55 - 03:53pm Feb 5, 2003 EST (# 8598 of 8638)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

In the Security Council, you have representatives of nations with very different interests and cultures. Patterns of international law are being honored in their language, and are becoming focused in their dialog. Essential questions of fact are vitally important - and context, as well.

Will the Neighbors Approve? By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/05/opinion/05FRIE.html may state pretty clearly what the Bush administration is actually trying to do. If Friedman is right - can those intentions be justified to the Security Council - and subject to enough detailed negotiation to be safe, stable, and satisfactory?

Better to discuss these things prior to action - than live with unanticipated consequences that could have been anticipated otherwise.

This should be discussed, it seems to me. What, specifically, and in detail, would Iraq have to do to be held in compliance . France has raised the question most specifically - and it is an important question.

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