Thursday, March 5, 2009

Does Senator Jim Webb Know What he is Talking about?


Another Senator that can't admit he was wrong...

No, I think we need to remove all of our forces from Iraq. They’re not going to have stability in the region until that occurs. This is the commitment the President appears to have made, but it’s based on the sofa agreement and the strategic framework agreement, and they don’t really say that. There’s plenty of loose language in there that would allow our troops to stay longer. I don’t think we need to stay longer.

Senator Jim Webb is hoping you don't remember this.

International reactions.

Afghanistan

The Afghan government welcomed news of the capture of Saddam Hussein, a warning to terrorists such as Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar.

Bahrain

The BNA news agency quoted a foreign ministry spokesman who said [his capture] should restore unity and cohesion to the Iraqis, to build "a promising future in a prosperous Iraq enjoying security and co-operating with its neighbors to promote stability and development" in the region.

Egypt

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said, "I don't think anyone will be sad over Saddam Hussein. His arrest does not change the fact that his regime was finished, and it is the natural consequence of the regime's fall. The Iraqi regime had harmed the Iraqi people, and had pulled the Arab region into several storms."

Iran

Iran's Vice President Mohammed Ali Abtahi expressed satisfaction about the capture of Saddam Hussein stating, "I am happy they have arrested a criminal, whoever it may be, and I am even more happy, because it is a criminal who committed so many crimes against Iranians". Iran joined the call for justice, adding, "Iranians have suffered much, because of him, and [the] mass graves in Iraq prove the crimes he has committed against the Iraqi people".

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Saddam Hussein could no longer impede the rebuilding the country he destroyed; that his capture was a lesson to Israel's Arab enemies to abandon terrorism, like Egypt, yet renewed efforts to persuade the Palestinian factions to stop attacking Israelis. Israel regarded Saddam Hussein's Iraq as its principal, strategic enemy, until the U.S. deposed him in 2003.

Jordan

The government spokeswoman said they hoped that a page has been turned and that the Iraqi people would be able to assume their responsibilities as soon as possible and build their future according to their will. The first and last word concerning the capture of Saddam Hussein or his fate must be given to the Iraqi people.

Kuwait

Kuwaiti Information Minister Mohammed Abulhassan said, "Thank God that he has been captured alive, so he can be tried for the heinous crimes he has committed. Kuwait today feels more relaxed, and assured, after the departure of this tyrant, and, after all, are certain now that he will never return. The Kuwaiti people are happy for the Iraqi people; it is the end of the rule of tyranny. Saddam's capture is a turning point and an opportunity for Iraqis to unite."

Lebanon

The country was tense at news of the U.S. capture of Saddam Hussein at the weekend; people were surprised by how easily he was captured, however, it did not equal a U.S. military victory. "The capture of Saddam will not save the U.S. from the world's condemnation for supporting the greater enemy, Israeli P.M. Ariel Sharon", said Selim Al-Hoss, ex-Lebanese P.M.

Palestinian Authority

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat government had no comment, however Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi, a senior Hamas leader, said the U.S. would "pay a very high price for the mistake" of capturing Saddam Hussein.

Palestinians were disbelieving and gloomy because of Saddam Hussein's capture, while Israel, attacked with missiles in the first Persian Gulf War of 1991, hailed the U.S. for capturing him.

Saudi Arabia

"Saddam Hussein was a menace to the Arab world," said the Saudi ambassador to the U.S., Prince Bandar bin Sultan.

Syria

Syrian Information Minister Ahmad al-Hassan advised Syria's position on Iraq was not based on the fate of individuals. We want an Iraq that preserves its territorial integrity, its unity and its sovereignty.

Does Senator Jim Webb Know What he is talking about?

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