Bill Sykes' Newsletter
from America.
(April 2003)
An ex-Brit gives his views-(without fear
or favor)---of the American Scene
The political storm prior to the shooting war.
 Great
Britain, seconded by Spain, tried to introduce into the
United Nations Security Council an amendment to resolution
1441, which when supported by resolution 1441 would have
given America and its coalition of two, in their words,
the authorization to proceed with a war against Iraq.
This amendment needed to get the support of nine nations,
plus the votes of the two permanent members of the Security
Council, (the United States and Great Britain), in order
to pass. (I’m not too well versed on the United
Nations voting rules so please bear with me If I have
mis-quoted the figures).
Permanent members of the Security Council, China, France,
Germany, and Russia expressed disapproval of the amendment
and France also being a permanent member of the Security
Council, stated openly that they would veto  any
such resolution, even if it was passed by a quorum of
nine nations plus the votes of the United States and Britain.
This was a major blow and embarrassment to America and
Britain, and when it became apparent that the coalition
of two would not get the required votes to pass the resolution
it was withdrawn.
The potential loss of votes to support the American position
to go to war with Iraq was a severe blow to American prestige,
hence the cancellation of the British amendment which
would have either been defeated by a lack of a majority
of members or vetoed by France. The American Administration
could not accept such a defeat, which would show world
opposition to the American position, and as I mentioned
previously the British amendment was withdrawn.
We welcome feedback about any of the contents
of these newsletters. Please send all correspondence to
bill_sykes@huddersfield1.co.uk
|
