Bush hates France. In the wake of his humiliating defeat in the debate last Thursday, Bush attacked John Kerry by pinpointing France.
"Listen, I'll continue to work with our allies and the international community - but I will never submit America's national security to an international test. The use of troops to defend America must never be subject to a veto by countries like France."
Source: New York Times
Of course, Bush should also mention Germany and Russia. And Italy and Spain. And while we are at it, the much-needed support from Poland will also be gone after 2005.
In a surprise announcement, Poland said Monday that it would withdraw its troops from Iraq by the end of 2005, leaving the U.S.-led multinational forces the task of finding replacements to fill a crucial security role in south-central Iraq.
Jerzy Szmajdzinski, Poland's defense minister, said in an interview with the daily Gazeta Wyborcza that the withdrawal of the 2,500 troops should coincide "with the expiry of United Nations Resolution 1546 of the Security Council." Once the troops are withdrawn, South Korea will be the third-largest contributor of soldiers to Iraq.
Poland last year took over the command of the 8,000-strong multinational force in south-central Iraq as part of its long-term strategy to play a greater role on the international stage.
Source: International Herald Tribune
Labels: bush, iraq
