Arab troops in Iraq?
Troops? Egyptian troops? In Iraq? Why not ask us to help occupy the West Bank as well.When Mubarak is hung from a lamp post I'm sure his family will like Arizona just fine.
Saudi Arabia Proposes Islamic Force in Iraq
Proposal Made During Talks With Secretary Powell
By Robin Wright
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 29, 2004; 3:57 PM
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, July 28 --In talks with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Saudi Arabia today proposed the creation of an Islamic force to help stabilize Iraq and potentially someday replace at least some of the U.S.-led military coalition, according to senior Arab diplomats here.
At a joint press conference with Powell, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Faisal confirmed that the proposal is now on the table but refused to provide specifics until further discussions with Powell over a working dinner.
But a senior State Department official traveling with Powell reacted positively to the initial idea. "We're interested. It could be useful. We have to flush it out," he said. He described it as a "supplemental force."
The Saudi government also talked today with Iraq's interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, who is also visiting the kingdom, about the prospects for a new Islamic force. Saudi Arabia and Iraq agreed today to restore relations and reopen embassies in each other's capitals.
Saudi Arabia has been involved in behind-the-scenes diplomacy for at least two weeks exploring the possibility of a force from Muslim nations. Saud held talks recently with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan in Vienna to discuss specifics. The current coalition of 31 countries has U.N. approval.
Although no countries have signed on, a senior Saudi official suggested that Pakistan, Malaysia, Algeria, Bangladesh and Morocco are among strong possibilities. But no countries on Iraq's borders, including Saudi Arabia or Jordan, which already offered troops, would be included.
The Saudis have listed four conditions they want addressed to facilitate formation of a Muslim force, the senior Saudi envoy said. They include that the force would come under a U.N. umbrella; that it be formally invited by Iraq; that it would help replace some of the coalition troops; and that the United Nations would be in charge of the political process in Iraq, including elections.
Don't you love how the Saudis volunteer other Arabs to die in Iraq. Cute plan. Of course, the riots in those countries will make deployment impossible.
Well, of course there was a catch. Do you think our new, weak strongman would conceed power to the UN, and notice who isn't offering troops-Egypt. The largest and best trained Arab army, Given the Moroccan and Algerian records in killing their own people, well, they wouldn't be much help in establishing democracy.
So which Saudi gets kidnapped to make the point that doubling down on a losing hand isn't smart.
Hey, I say we volunteer French troops for the Sudan. Yeah, they South Africa, Holland and Norway will send troops, right? Well, that's what a little birdie told me in Washington the other day.
This is, of course, both desperate wishing by our Saudi friends, and yet another attempt to shine us on.
"Oh ifendi, we will send the men right away," they say in English, and the minute we leave the room. "Stupid infidels, they think we would die to protect the nonbelievers, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA."
And if Iraqis will kill Pakistanis to make a point, do Algerians come in kidnapped, bulletproof and bomb proof versions? Because if they don't, they'll die just like 900 Americans have.
posted by Steve @ 7:43:00 PM