Iraqi govt. papers: Saddam bribed Chirac

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2004-02-01 12:29am

Howedar wrote:I think you're quite wrong. I have trouble thinking of a first world nation we would not defend.

I truly think that we would have let them go a while before stepping in. Oh, yes, we'd step in eventually, but not right off.

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2004-02-01 03:13am

I truly think that we would have let them go a while before stepping in. Oh, yes, we'd step in eventually, but not right off.

Unlikely. The greater the destruction, the greater the economic dislocation.

Despite our falling out on national security matters, the United States and France remain strong trading partners. The contemporary interconnectedness of the global economy virtually mandates a swift reaction by virtue of our own self-interest. I seriously doubt there is a single politican now in office who would vote against supporting France.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2004-02-01 07:24am

Shaidar Haran wrote:
neoolong wrote:Yes, but up until now, if this is confirmed and all that, there wasn't really that much cause to go around saying that the US and France weren't at least nominally allies, just look at the economic interests going back and forth.
And look at the economic conflict not to mention the nasty fights over EU rules and such. A little bit of mutual interest does not an ally make.

It's more than just a bit of mutual interest. Even if you don't want to call them allies, they're going to function in such a way as to support one another, even if just a little. At least as far as economic concerns go.

Skelron · Post by **Skelron** » 2004-02-01 07:09pm

I find this article suspect, I find the evidence suspect, certain things throw up warning flares... What I suspect is that people where able to buy Iraq oil yes but was it being used as 'Bribes' Well...

Why in Gods name would Iraq need to Bribe 'The Russian Committee for Solidarity with Iraq'?

I mean think about it, we are going to bribe people into supporting us, who already support us... seems a little strange...

Plus how much Oil was Iraq going to actually be able to sell, as far as I know where they not under an Embargo from the UN...

It's just too co-incidental that it comes out now, and why was no evidence found of Americans being Bribed, or Senior Americans being approached for Bribes, did Iraq decide that they where inccoruptable somehow....

Skelron · Post by **Skelron** » 2004-02-01 07:12pm

Edit I ment to say Senior Americans, surely from 1997 onwards more americans would have been approached than 2... considering that America is a key member of the security council, and the worlds Super-Power, you want real influance there

Alex Moon · Post by **Alex Moon** » 2004-02-01 07:51pm

Skelron wrote:I find this article suspect, I find the evidence suspect, certain things throw up warning flares... What I suspect is that people where able to buy Iraq oil yes but was it being used as 'Bribes' Well...

Why in Gods name would Iraq need to Bribe 'The Russian Committee for Solidarity with Iraq'?

I mean think about it, we are going to bribe people into supporting us, who already support us... seems a little strange...

So it was a payoff to a group that had shown support. This could be simply a reward, or the money could have been meant to end up in other hands later on. That they put these in with bribes isn't that shocking considering that in all cases they are paying those whom they can influence.

Plus how much Oil was Iraq going to actually be able to sell, as far as I know where they not under an Embargo from the UN...

Iraq was under sanctions from the Security Council. Hence the Oil for food program.

It's just too co-incidental that it comes out now, and why was no evidence found of Americans being Bribed, or Senior Americans being approached for Bribes, did Iraq decide that they where inccoruptable somehow....

The US was one of the strongest opponants of Saddam and biggest supporters of sanctions. Furthermore, those in the US government who could change US policy would be very hard to get to. Bribes would have less effect than if they were used to bolster anti-American support elsewhere. There are other members of the Security Council. In fact, several had been propsing for years that the sanctions against Iraq be lifted.