RE: US Foreign Policy Re: *DO* we share a civilization?

[Baardwijk, J. van DTO/SLBD/BGM/SVM/SGM]

> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: John D. Giorgis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Verzonden: Thursday, August 02, 2001 3:22 AM
> Aan: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Onderwerp: RE: US Foreign Policy Re: *DO* we share a civilization?

> >> My personal favorite example of this behaviour occurred during the 
> >> Landmine Ban Conference - a Conference *we* initiated, I might add.
> >> The US wanted an exemption for the Landmines currently in place on 
> >> the Korean border, a border we are currently defending under UN-
> >> authorization.    As the US proposed amendments were voted down, the
> >> Europeans were hootin' and hollerin' at the good time they were
> >> having embarassing the US - because now they'd get the pristine joy
> >> of signing the Treaty *AND* being able to rub the US's nose in it 
> >> while doing it.
> >
> >Did the US sign the treaty, even though they didn't get what they
> >wanted?
> 
> No, we could not.  To sign the Treaty would mean digging up all of the
> landmines in Korea.   This would, of course, make thousands of
> Americans and South Koreans much more likely to have to face armed 
> conflict across the Korean border.

Yet another example of the US refusing to sign a treaty because they didn't
get everything they demanded.   :-(


> This was simply inhumane and unacceptable.

There are still people dying out there because of landmines. Innocent men,
women and children still die or get mutilated for life because they
accidentally step on a landmine. Innocent people, John. Now THAT is inhumane
and unacceptable.

Fortunately, not everybody followed the US. Fortunately, there are still
very brave men and women out there from several countries (including my
own), who risk their lives every day (and sometimes lose their life),
clearing minefields so no more innocent lives will be lost because of those
mines.


> >Yeah, don't you just HATE the democratic process when it means you
> >don't get what you want?
> 
> Something you Europeans conveniently forget when it comes to
> remembering that our Senate gets to ratify all Treaties.

Crap. Europeans know quite well how the US system works. And *you* know that
we know, so kindly refrain from this unfounded Euro-bashing.


> So yes, Jeroen I am all for the democratic process.   I just have
> little tolerance for European diplomats who seem to have no interest in
> passing agreements that will actually get *approved* by the democratic
> process.

IOW, nothing would please European diplomats more than every country turning
into a dictatorship -- no more worries about democratic process.

I know you feel a strong resentment towards Europe; I suspect it is has
something to do Europe's tendency to not blindly follow orders from the US.
You are entitled to your opinion, of course -- but do us all a favor and
refrain from posting further anti-European rants that don't have any factual
basis.


Jeroen

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