Oh, and here's the reply to your other epistle.
"I am more ignorant than I had first assumed. What call? I may have been asleep during the meeting when they explained the whole "the call" thing."
In many cases it’s "called" the UN.
In some cases, a single nation has the responsibility and authority to act alone under the International Law of War and the Just War theory.
"So as a precis: only those who act are to blame?"
No, those who act are responsible, a subtle difference.
"So if acting by its very nature will result in an imperfect solution, why act at all? Why not let sleeping dogs lie?"
Well, when you’re laying on the table and the heart doctor says "-dead-, old son, you’ve got 4 coronary arteries that are 90% blocked. I can operate, but I’d probably only be able to get them 75% open. So, rather than an "imperfect solution", I’m going to do nothing and end up with clean hands. Of course, you’re going to die, but if I can’t find a perfect solution, I’m sure not going to settle for an imperfect one."
You’ll be OK with that, right?
"So in other words if a country does something bad, they have to smack their own wrist?"
Nope, not at all. A "bad" country is accountable to the injured party by the International Law of War and Just War Theory. Secondarily, there is the UN, as we saw in Iraq.
"A "livable" solution?"
Yes. The situation now is pretty stable compared to what went before. Milosevich is on trial as a war criminal and out of power. For now, it is "livable". Surely you don't propose that things are worse in the Balkans now?
"The US refused to aid the UN peace keeping effort with any troops and then decided to ignore the UN arms embargo by running guns to a set of extremists who turned out to be rather nasty about 6 months down the line (surprise, surprise). I must have missed another meeting."
In late 1994, UNPROFOR had nearly 40,000 troops.
You actually attribute the failure of the UNPROFOR to the lack of US troops?
Seems like 40K other UN troops ought to have been able to handle it. Or are you saying that without US involvement no UN peacekeeping operation can succeed?
Wait.. it was the Bosnian MUSLIMS that made UNPROFOR fail because they got arms from Iran, Turkey and Malaysia with US tacit approval? So the Bosnian SERBS were acting like perfect gentlemen in ’94 and they put no pressure on UNPROFOR or the Muslims?
"OK - lemme see if I have this one -"
Nah, you missed this one too. If they initiate actions that give cause under the International Law of War and Just War theory, they are subject to having war waged upon them . If they initiate actions that generate UN response, they best be ready to deal with that as well.
"OK let's go with the US - they have two major complexes that get hit by a terrorist organisation… Did I miss something?"
Yeah, you missed an act of war, according to International Law and Just War Theory. The organization in question is part and parcel of the Taliban ruling government of Afghanistan. The Taliban was given an opportunity to seperate itself from al-Qa'eda; they chose not to do so.
The guys in the planes who drove them into the buildings are part of al-Qa'eda, which is an ingrained part of the Taliban, with both monetary and political participation in that government. Thus, all are legitimate targets.
"...or did I miss a meeting again? What time are these meetings, anyway?"
Well one big meeting was held on September 1, 1939. That was sort of the one that got everyone’s attention. It really changed the world. You might have missed that I guess.
The most recent one was on September 11, 2001. It would have been pretty hard to miss this one. Seems like most of the countries in the world heard it.
Now it’s your turn.
Tell us all how YOU would resolve the Israeli/Palestinian problem? The UN mandated Israeli statehood in ’48... so you support that?
After all, you must have a workable solution that will totally prevent any more deaths?
So, tell us, how would you solve it? Feel free to discuss how any other countries and/or the UN are involved and working hard to solve the problem.
Everybody knows the US is involved and right now is trying to pressure both sides to find a solution. Bush has endorsed a Palestinian state. (No doubt because Israel and Gaza have enormous unannounced oil reserves, right?
)
What’s your position/solution? Perhaps you can clarify the roles that other nations are playing in the search for peace in Palestine?
Or do you want to sit in the bleachers and complain on this one too?
[ 11-24-2001: Message edited by: Toad ]
