RE: Iraq : who’s in?

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-09-02 AT 07:32 AM (GMT)]Spains PM Aznar and Italy’s PM Berlusconi said they will support military actions undertaken by the United States, even without approval of the UN Security Council.

The axis Brussels-Paris-Berlin still opposes any attempt to attack Iraq without the full support of the UNSC. France and Germany, together with the UK seen as the big three in the EU, are the ones who make the foreign policy of the Union today. It’s sad we are still not able to agree in such sensible matters as Iraq, but I think France and Germany get the moral support from many Europeans, including lots of British. Am I right?

I think the EU has never been so divided on foreign policy.

If Bush has 4 allies supporting him, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain and Italy, he has got a broad western coalition, ofcourse, he still needs to get the Arab countries behind him which are a lot more important than Europe.

RE: Quitting the Forum?

Well I’m doing modern history (from the 15th century till today) + an extra courses in journalism. I also want to beef up my knowlegde on foreign languages, especially English and German. French is already OK I guess

RE: In memory of victims of 9/11.. please all sign!

I have just seen the documentary 9-11, the one made by the French crew. Sad to see how so many firemen have died that day, they are the heroes, not Bush, or the US military. Never thought those images of the collapsing towers still had such an impact on me, even after one year, almost seeing them daily.

Anyway, people forget very soon, and though 9-11 was a horrible day, life must go on.

RE: In memory of victims of 9/11.. please all sign!

Rwanda,
Kosovo,
Bosnia,
Chechnya,
Kashmir,
Angola,
East-Timor,
Sierra Leone,
Columbia,
Turkey,

I will remember.

Benjamin Muylaert
Antwerp, Belgium

RE: 11 September “celebrations”

Many newspapers here are starting to lose all their criticism they builded up the past few months. All newspapers will bring extra editions to mark 9/11s first anniversary.

I still have the newspaper from the day after 9/11. In fact, I bought almost all national and international newspaper that day. I hope to use them for my lessons next year.

RE: Quitting the Forum?

You work through lunchtime. isn’t it the other way around, like most do? :7

RE: UN security council

Don’t be too modest, Jeroen, it was an interesting post.

You’re talking about the European human rights court in Stratsbourg. Problem with this court is, it doesn’t function at all, and instead of trying to solve the real problems in Eastern-Europe (the Balkans) they are used for communautary crap in Belgium. There are many organistations which try to maintain peace in Europe, the CoE, the OSCE, Human rights watch. But human right issues shouldn’t be a regional matter, it should be a global one. Therefor the United Nations are so important.

The reason why Germany is not allowed into the UNSC is because the UNSC was set up immediatelly after WWII, and up to today, nothing has changed in it, expect that since 1971 the PRC has replaced the ROC in its seat.

I do think the UNSC should have permanent members, because they should be able to act quickly and send in peace-keepers when needed. In Europe we all know how long it will take if we should ask the opinion of every member individually.

You say Jordan and Egypt aren’t good candidates for the UNSC. Well, I do think they are. Iran should be better, but don’t forget Iran is not an Arab country and most Arabs hate Iranians. Saudi Arabia doesn’t respect human rights at all, and therefor, doesn’t diserve to get a seat.

Same with Nigeria. The Federal gov’t in Nigeria is rather progressive, but the local councils still use the Sharia as the only legitimate constitution. Throwing stones on women etc. In Africa, the only serious candidates I think are Egypt, Lybia and South Africa. Maybe Lybia would be a good candidate to represent the Arab world.