Is there audio of this?

I do wonder, though, what else was said. Was his statment followed by more that would mitigate the opening statement to his response?

This emboldens Israel's and our enemies in the region. It will be seen as weakness since the split is in the open. It is how wars start.

 

What split? He doesn't like the Prime Minister. So what?

 

I'm trying to think of a war that started this way. You seem aware that they have, can you tell us which ones?

What split? He doesn't like the Prime Minister. So what?

 

I'm trying to think of a war that started this way. You seem aware that they have, can you tell us which ones?

 

The Korean War. I think it was the Sec. of State that in a speech had left South Korea out of the US's sphere of influence. Not actually said it, but by ommision and the North Koreans took it as if the US would not defend South Korea if attacked by the North.

What split? He doesn't like the Prime Minister. So what?

 

I'm trying to think of a war that started this way. You seem aware that they have, can you tell us which ones?

 

Gulf war. We gave mixed signals to Hussein about what our reaction would be to a Kuwaiti invasion. So he did.

 

Here, if Israel appears isolated Iran may be similarly emboldened. An unambiguous, solid front of strength needs to be presented publicly, even if there is private personal animosity.

The Korean War. I think it was the Sec. of State that in a speech had left South Korea out of the US's sphere of influence. Not actually said it, but by ommision and the North Koreans took it as if the US would not defend South Korea if attacked by the North.

 

He left it out because the logistics at that time were a nightmare and at the time the US did not know how it would defend South Korea from an invasion. Different setting altogether.

Gulf war. We gave mixed signals to Hussein about what our reaction would be to a Kuwaiti invasion. So he did.

 

Here, if Israel appears isolated Iran may be similarly emboldened. An unambiguous, solid front of strength needs to be presented publicly, even if there is private personal animosity.

 

Actually we had the Fleet on alert at the time in the Gulf. What other mixed signals were there?

Actually we had the Fleet on alert at the time in the Gulf. What other mixed signals were there?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Glaspie

 

When these purported transcripts were made public, Glaspie was accused of having given tacit approval for the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, which took place on August 2, 1990. It was argued that Glaspie's statements that "We have no opinion on your Arab-Arab conflicts" and that "the Kuwait issue is not associated with America" were interpreted by Saddam as giving free rein to handle his disputes with Kuwait as he saw fit. It was also argued that Saddam would not have invaded Kuwait had he been given an explicit warning that such an invasion would be met with force by the United States.

 

From NYT:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/23/world/confrontation-in-the-gulf-us-gave-iraq-little-reason-not-to-mount-kuwait-assault.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

 

''You left the impression that it was the policy of the United States not to come to the defense of Kuwait,'' said Mr. Hamilton, an Indiana Democrat. ''I asked you if there was a U.S. commitment to come to Kuwait's defense if it was attacked. Your response over and over again was we have no defense-treaty relationship with any gulf country.''

 

So the question has to be - what is our relationship with Israel given the ongoing and escalating comments out of soon-to-be-a-nuclear-power Iran?

Edited November 9, 201114 yr by Bluegrasscard
added NYT link

Actually we had the Fleet on alert at the time in the Gulf. What other mixed signals were there?

 

Even if it didn't impact their relationship, do you agree that this comment will not not help his image?

He left it out because the logistics at that time were a nightmare and at the time the US did not know how it would defend South Korea from an invasion. Different setting altogether.

 

For whatever reason it was left out, the North Koreans saw it as an opportunity and ran with it. It is not what we think, but how our enemies perceive us.

JFK said it best, "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

 

Best to be very clear and leave no doubt.