|
|
U.S. attack strains international relations
September 4, 1996
Web posted at: 6:40 p.m. EDT (2240 GMT)(CNN) -- As U.S. cruise missiles rained down on Iraq for the second straight day, the United States garnered little support from the international community.
Germany and Russia warned against further escalation. France, which has lucrative business ties with Iraq, criticized the missile strikes and urged for more negotiations with Saddam Hussein. Arab nations distanced themselves from the situation.
"We have our position and the Americans have theirs. And we don't share their views," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Yves Doutriaux said.
Middle East expert Fred Halliday suggested that perhaps Hussein has already accomplished one of his goals: driving a wedge between the United States, its allies and other nations.
He cites France as an example. "The French view on this one is, 'Look. Saddam Hussein has sent troops into part of his national territory. Everybody accepts it as part of his national territory,'" Halliday said.
Thus, the French believe Iraq's attack on the Kurds doesn't violate U.N. resolutions.
Despite its criticism, France participated in allied air patrols with the United States and Britain Wednesday over the expanded no-fly zone in southern Iraq.
Britain has supported the U.S. action logistically. In a draft resolution, it condemned Iraq for its attack on northern Iraq and has demanded withdrawal of Iraqi troops. But the resolution made no mention of the U.S. missile attacks.
Arab nations, meanwhile, have shied away from the matter. Some experts explain that many Arab leaders are under fire from Islamic fundamentalist groups and during times like these, anti-American sentiment is high.
"For the Arab nations in the region, they say, 'The United States is far away. We have to live with Saddam'" every day, said Adel Darwish with The Independent Newspaper.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Strike
Reaction
Before the Strike
Multimedia
Maps & Graphics
Related sites
Additional information from Lexis-Nexis
Tell us what you think!
You said it...
© 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.