Rice, Gates win no new Arab help in Iraq

[rodeodance]

Source: ap





Rice, Gates win no new Arab help in Iraq

By ANNE GEARAN and LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writers 9 minutes ago

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt - The United States won no specific new promises of Arab help for struggling Iraq after a gathering Tuesday of several nations listed as recipients of an expanded aid and weapons package for friendly states in

Iraq's Arab neighbors repeated a general pledge to promote stability in Iraq, torn by more than four years of war and bitter sectarian divisions that have killed thousands and driven far more from their homes.

"I think we know what the obligations of the neighbors are," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, adding that Egypt and other U.S. allies are working to meet past promises of relief of Iraq's heavy international debt, additional foreign aid and help tamping down violence inside Iraq.

Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates are making a rare joint show of diplomatic force during two days of meetings with Arab allies — part of an 11th-hour effort to rally diplomatic and practical help for the U.S.-backed Shiite-led government in Baghdad. The tour also opens talks on a proposed U.S. arms package for Arab states worth more than $20 billion.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070731/ap_on_re_mi_ea/us_mideast;_ylt=AkFjhM4K_m5lUdrn.z5zUvGs0NUE

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Lectures by Rice are not not helpful. Her credibility is in the toilet.

[CoffeeCat]

1. Has Rice had ANY foreign-policy success?

I doubt the woman could broker peace between two doves.

[OlderButWiser]

2. Someone will show

Bush this headline with their thumb over the 'No'.

[CoffeeCat]

3. I just read this again...

So, we're trying to bribe these countries with WEAPONS?

"The tour also opens talks on a proposed U.S. arms package for Arab states worth
more than $20 billion".

The region is so unstable right now. Combine the instability with Bush's talent
for pissing off other nations and creating new enemies for the United States--and
then throw "a $20 billion weapons package"---and we've got a recipe for disaster.

Pakistan could be our enemy tomorrow. Any of these nations could turn against us,
with this administration's brash, reckless warmongering.

So, we're going to give that region $20 billion in weapons?

Well, if we're fighting them over THERE... so we don't fight them HERE----if they
do end up HERE, we'll be fighting them with our own weapons--bought and paid for
with our own tax dollars.

Un.frickin.believable.

[Botany]

4. But was she fashion forward in her footwear?

The only Sec. of State I can remember ever being asked not to visit a country.

[acmavm]

5. Really, were the crazy enough to think they'd get any country

to sign up for this mess? If so, they need to be committed.

[Botany]

6. But she even tried to bribe them .... and they lied about it.

<Hours before Rice and Gates embarked on their diplomatic mission, the Bush administration announced Monday a
proposed U.S. arms package to Arab nations worth more than $20 billion. The sophisticated weaponry, according
to U.S. officials, would strengthen relatively moderate Persian Gulf regimes against extremist regimes and ideologies,
chief among them Iran.

Rice said the arms deal, along with an aid package for Israel and Egypt, was not a trade-off for assistance.>

[bemildred]

7. Gee, who could have predicted this? nt

[Doctor_J]

8. Not to worry - it seems our "representatives" will come around

when Patreus presents his lies in September

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/30/AR2007073001380.html

[rodeodance]

9. "give me just a little more time" Recall that lyric?

[cliss]

10. Can you just visualize how that went?

Rice shows up. Poor little Miss Muffet has blown it so bad, she needs some "male" reinforcement to bolster her a little bit. She's tried every tactic in the book, and it all seems to come out the same way: muffled giggling, sour looks (Putin), threats (M.E. countries), counter threats, glib smiles, patronizing patting on the back, and icy silence.

They knew what to expect at Sharm Al Sheikh. Can you just visualize the Saudis, as she gets in their face and demands a little cooperation for God's sake. Come on will ya?
The Saudi's smile, they know time is on their side. They yawn, they'll wait for some more concessions, bigger goodies down the road. Maybe they'll turn their headgear so they don't have to look at her.

"Closed"