Wednesday 22 June 2005

Rice Threatens Egypt and Saudi Arabia

Urges Democratic Reform or "We'll Throw Your Countries Into Turmoil just like we've done with Iraq"

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivered her strongest and harshest message yesterday, to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, urging the two allies to get moving on democratic reforms or "we'll throw your countries into turmoil, just like we've done with Iraq".

"For 60 years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region here in the Middle East, and we are tired of not getting the results we want", Rice said in a speech at the American University in Cairo.

Rice didn't give a timeline for the democratic changes but subtly noted the number of U.S. Troops currently in Iraq and Afghanistan, and saying that "they might like a change of scenery".

"We want to see both purple roses and purple fingers".

Rice went further, telling both Egyptian and Saudi officials that "we have the full confidence we'll have John Bolton as our Ambassador at the United Nations".

Rice intimated that, with Bolton at the U.N. and Paul Wolfowitz now the head of the World Bank, the U.S. will have virtually unlimited power and authority to force the changes in their countries.

Back in Washington, Vice President Dick Cheney commended Rice, saying "it's time to take the gloves off"

"We've coddled these people" said the Vice President, "and that can't continue. It's time to make some tough choices, to be on the right side, or the wrong side and we're getting pretty good at convincing regimes to be on the right side."

Rice's comments caused a stir in Great Britain.

Already under pressure and stress to produce a new series of memos, based on President Bush's threats against Spain (see The Garlic, 20 June - Bush Threatens Spain With Axis Placement), Prime Minister Blair's office issued a statement, saying in part;

"They've got to slow down with the regime-change policy and let us catch up a bit".


Banana Republic Group Blasts Bush, Bolton

"These Guys Are Making Us Look Like A Dynasty"

With yet another losing vote in his determination to place John Bolton as the U.S. Ambassador at the United Nations, President Bush had the entire Republican block in Congress to the White House yesterday to plan further strategy.

And, as this meeting took place, the Association for Banana Republics blasted Bush, Senate Leader Bill Frist and the Congress, for double standards, hypocrisy and "for not seeing the noses on their faces"

"These guys are making our members look like dynasties", offered General Emilio M. Vargas, who heads the Non-Profit advocacy group, made of past and current banana republics.

On Monday, Frist again called, for the third time, for a vote to end the filibuster over Bolton and came up six votes short.

Democrats have held up the vote by insisting the White House provided additional documents for their review and the White House stubbornly refuses to do so, demanding the up-or-down vote.

"Traditionally, when we have wanted to place someone in office, it's done with one vote … or a coup" offered Vargas. "These guys are going about it all wrong. You don't just keep voting, over-and-over, until you get it the way you want".

Vargas also criticized the seeming disorganization around the Bolton fight.

'Frist says it's all over, no more voting and the President says he's waiting for a vote. I guess they're not looking at the same videotape".

Yesterday morning, Frist conceded defeat on Bolton, indicating that he would not schedule any more votes, while, the President was saying he had no intentions of pulling Bolton or giving up on getting the up-or-down vote

Frist, after the White House meeting said "The president made it very clear that he expects an up-or-down vote,"

Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman, denied there was any discord between the President and Frist. When apprised of Vargas's comments, McClellan said that 'The President isn't planning any coup's, though he has left all options on the table".

Including a possible 'recess appointment'.

"If they put Bolton in the U.N via a recess appointment", Vargas stated, "he'll have about as much confidence of the people as one of our members when they have taken over a position without the proper voting".

"They should do what they did to take office in the first place", offered Vargas. "They should just have their Supreme Court put their stamp-of-approval on it."

On another matter, Vargas admitted that the ABR is reviewing an application for admission by Iraq.