Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Let sleeping giants lie
The “root cause” of the current Middle East reality show, we’re told, was the “unprovoked” kidnapping of Israeli soldiers. Historical context be damned, when it comes to waging war, my friends: pretext rules the day. All a belligerent government needs is a good international incident to inflame them…and if no such incident should occur, well, don’t look now but here comes the U.S.S. Maine steaming down the Tonkin Gulf.
It’s an excuse we all learn in childhood: “He started it” or “She hit me first.” From this rudimentary alibi grows the convenient myth of the “sleeping giant.” By portraying oneself as the unwitting target of an unwarranted sneak attack; all the bases are covered. Not only are you claiming innocence and the role of victim, you might even be excused for reacting angrily…maybe even with a little too much force.
This week marks 16 years since one such “overreaction.”
The start of the first Gulf war in 1990 offered a fine illustration of the sleeping giant concept. On July 25, 1990, now-deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein entertained a special guest at the presidential palace in Baghdad: U.S. Ambassador to Iraq April Glaspie. At their meeting (also attended by Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz), Glaspie told the Iraqi ruler, “I have direct instructions from President Bush to improve our relations with Iraq. We have considerable sympathy for your quest for higher oil prices, the immediate cause of your confrontation with Kuwait,” before asking Saddam, point blank: “Why are your troops massed so very close to Kuwait’s borders?”
“As you know, for years now I have made every effort to reach a settlement on our dispute with Kuwait,” replied Hussein, deploying his own rendition of wartime spin. “There is to be a meeting in two days; I am prepared to give negotiations only this one more brief chance.”
When asked what solutions would be acceptable, Hussein was forthright: “If we could keep the whole of the Shatt al Arab—our strategic goal in our war with Iran—we will make concessions. But, if we are forced to choose between keeping half of the Shatt and the whole of Iraq [Hussein views Kuwait as part of Iraq] then we will give up all of the Shatt to defend our claims on Kuwait to keep the whole of Iraq in the shape we wish it to be. What is the United States’ opinion on this?”
Then, Glaspie dropped the bombshell: “We have no opinion on your Arab-Arab conflicts, such as your dispute with Kuwait,” she answered. “Secretary [of State James] Baker has directed me to emphasize the instruction, first given to Iraq in the 1960’s that the Kuwait issue is not associated with America.” One can only imagine the gleam in Saddam Hussein’s eyes.
Eight days later, on August 2, 1990, Iraq launched a full scale invasion of Kuwait and, in the process, provided President George H.W. Bush with the perfect excuse to unleash the dogs of war.
Until we begin to recognize these patterns and until we stop falling for the hype and myth, sales of yellow ribbons will remain brisk.
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In light of recent discussions here, I’ve dug out two Israel-related articles of mine:
Ariel Sharon’s Generation
Elie Wiesel’s Strange Parade
Copyright © 2005-2007 Mickey Z.
