no fly zone question

[Chris Alger]

Good question. This is another example that exposes the absurdity of US invocations of the sanctity of interntional law while trashing it as it suits its interests.

The no-fly zones are not authorized by any UN resolution and the violence caused by US/GB actions are, in essence, war crimes that have killed nearly 300 Iraqis since 1998. U.S. and G.B. have argued that the no-fly zones are implied by prior UN resolutions, but nobody else on the Security Council seems to agree. France and Russia have denounced them as violations of international law. Bush reportedly tried to get authorization for them in 1441, but was denied. The typical way this is reported is to admit that "Iraq" claims they aren't legal, or that their legality is "disputed."

The "no-fly" zones are a pretext for low-intensity ariel combat against Iraq, to soften it up for eventual conquest. They no longer have anything to do with protecting Shiites and the Kurds from Saddam. US and British planes use this device to routinely bomb oil facilities, anti-aircraft installations, communications and other targets of strategic and tactical value and drop leaflets to incite rebellion among Iraq's armed forces.

[Jimbo]

Chris although you exaggerate you claims somewhat your substance has basis. However I do not believe we as the lone superpower require a UN solution to do as we please regarding a nation conquered under a UN authorized war in order to either keep world peace or to increase our oil supply. The part about the oil was added to offer you more fodder. This is the old go to war to keep the peace trick which is often misunderstood though highly effective.

[IrishHand]

The "no-fly" zones are a pretext for low-intensity ariel combat against Iraq, to soften it up for eventual conquest.

FYI MMMMM: This is why the US can't use the engagements in the no-fly zone as a reason for war.

[MMMMMM]

YOU are the one who raised that suggestion/query--I didn't. I just wondered why we let them get away with it so long--Saddam's had how many chances? Does he EVER do anything genuinely cooperative or constructive?

[IrishHand]

He's been very cooperative with the no-fly zones. It's rare that our air power gets such a great live-action practice. It's basically the same as dummy bombing runs, only they're actually shooting at you so the blood get's a-flowing. Trust me...he's provided us with more valuable practice than we could ever have gotten on our own. Sadly, it appears the practice isn't helping his lads much - they still haven't managed to bring one down yet. (It doesn't help that the planes they shoot at are too high, and the planes we shoot at them with tend to release their ordinance before they're even aware that we're in the air.)