The Coalition of the Bribed and Coerced
Oct. 2nd, 2004 11:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
billroperOne of Kerry's criticisms of the invasion of Iraq is that the U.S.-led coalition is actually a "coalition of the bribed and coerced", because Bush was unable to get countries like France and Russia on board.
However, this New York Times article reports on a Congressional investigation that suggests that there was, in fact, a coalition of countries -- including France, Russia, and China -- bribed by Saddam Hussein through the U.N.'s Oil for Food program.
As far as the "coerced", I recall that at least one news organization -- memory tells me that it was CNN, but I can't find a citation at the moment -- would not report a number of negative stories about pre-war Iraq because they feared for the safety of their reporters in the country.
I suppose I have a point here, but I'll leave it to you to connect the dots.
However, this New York Times article reports on a Congressional investigation that suggests that there was, in fact, a coalition of countries -- including France, Russia, and China -- bribed by Saddam Hussein through the U.N.'s Oil for Food program.
As far as the "coerced", I recall that at least one news organization -- memory tells me that it was CNN, but I can't find a citation at the moment -- would not report a number of negative stories about pre-war Iraq because they feared for the safety of their reporters in the country.
I suppose I have a point here, but I'll leave it to you to connect the dots.