>Actually, I don't think the French ever said they didn't think Iraq had WMDs. The French wanted to give inspections more time, although the only reason Iraq started to cooperate with the inspections was because U.S. and British troops were massing on the Kuwait border.

Possibly it was the actual massing of troops that "convinced" Iraq to allow inspections, though I'm quite certain that it was the unanimity at the U.N. that was the deciding factor.

In any case, with the benefit of hindsight, giving the Inspectors more time was the correct option TO AVOID A WAR. ASSUMING that U.S.-pronounced reasons for war - WMDs with possible imminent use against the U.S. or others AND direct links to Al-Quaida - were honest and legitimate.

It still sticks in my craw that CENTCOM, on two separate days, reported communication intercepts of authorization to Iraqi troops to use WMD. Obviously they were so sure that some would be found quickly that they never expected to get caught on that bit of propaganda. It was OBVIOUSLY totally FALSE. Gotta wonder what was actually true where CENTCOM was concerned!!!

In any case I do hope that JR's suggestion to sit back, take a breather and work out better ways for the future is taken. BUT with President Bush declaring that the U.S. will never wait for a permission slip before warring, I fear there's little hope.

cheers

>
>>Chris
>>
>>We aren't adversaries; prior to the attack, all was speculation and we just speculated differently.
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>>It went bad when things got wound up into an issue of national integrity/relationships/antagonism which it should not have done.
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>>Dare I ... oh, why not. Put yourself in the position of the French(!) They refused to join the attack because they were concerned about the provided intelligence about WMD and preferred their own intelligence that said there weren't any. For this they were branded swine, retreat monkeys and all the rest of it. Feeling good?
>>
>>Now consider the French's behaviour now that no WMD have been found. Do you hear any gloating or "told you so?" What would you have done?
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>>And consider how pleased you'd be to be told "our boys are dying, so to make up for not joining the attack, give us some of your troops now to work under our command."
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>>OK, end of empathy session! I'm not trying to prove anything, just trying to suggest that sometimes people aren't as demonic as they are presented.
>>
>>IMHO the free west needs to take a big breath, sit down together, and just remember that every time we bicker amongst ourselves, the real enemies out there get to laugh at us.