| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 412.1 | Swedish Embassy move | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Mon Aug 20 1990 14:11 | 71 |
| From: [email protected] (JULIAN M. ISHERWOOD)
Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.europe,
clari.news.issues.conflict,clari.news.hot.iraq,biz.clarinet.sample,
clari.news.trouble,clari.news.consumer
Subject: Kuwait has no food shortages and Iraqis are disciplined,
ambassador says
Keywords: international, non-usa government, government, war & peace,
social issues, starvation, trouble, consumer, economy
Date: 12 Aug 90 20:49:20 GMT
Location: denmark, kuwait
ACategory: international
Slugword: iraq-kuwait
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (UPI) -- Food is plentiful in Kuwait and Iraqi
soldiers are acting in a "reasonably disciplined fashion," Denmark's
ambassador to Kuwait said Sunday in a radio interview, but he added
that Kuwaitis and foreigners were concerned about water supplies and
electricity. "There is more food in Kuwait than there is money to buy,
so there is no question in the near future of there being food
shortages," Ambassador Birger Dan Nielsen said in a live
radio-telephone report from Kuwait City.
"The authorities have announced today that credit cards may be used
to buy up to $50 worth of goods per day," Nielsen added. But he said
residents of Kuwait City worried what might happen if water supplied
and the electricity that powers air conditioners were interrupted.
"We have temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 F) at the
moment, and the situation will get extremely serious very quickly if
water supplies and electricity for air conditioning fail," Nielsen
said. "But at the moment there seems to be plenty of both
commodities," he added.
Nielson said Kuwait City was "teeming" with Iraqi soldiers who had
set up control posts at all strategic locations in the city.
"One is frequently checked, but in general it all takes place in a
reasonably disciplined fashion," Nielsen said. "In general I must say
that the invasion took place without any major losses in the civilian
population, although there is much destruction," the ambassador added.
He said telephone services in Kuwait and Kuwait City, in
particular, were difficult and appeared to have been split into three
areas. "But we have found telephones from which it seems relatively
easy to cross from one section to another and we are in contact with
all (83) Danish citizens in Kuwait each day," Nielsen said.
He added that foreigners in Kuwait had shown "amazing discipline
and ingenuity" and had arranged car pools and contact nets to keep in
touch with each other. "They have all packed so that they can be ready
at a moment's notice as soon as the decision is taken to move them
out," Nielsen said.
But Denmark's foreign minister, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, who listened
to the report on national television's main Sunday night news program,
said his advice to nationals in Kuwait and Iraq was to stay calm,
remain indoors and keep in touch with their embassy. "It is too
dangerous a trip to suggest, at the moment, that they try to leave,"
Uffe Ellemann-Jensen said.
He added that Denmark would not accede to a demand by Iraq that the
Danish Embassy should be moved from Kuwait to Baghdad, following
Kuwait's annexation by Iraq. "We will remain in Kuwait," Uffe
Ellemann-Jensen said, although he did not rule out the possibility that
the embassy could be physically forced to move to Baghdad. "If we are
forced (by Iraq) to leave then we will have to go, but until such time
as that happens we will remain in Kuwait City," the foreign minister
said.
Denmark's neighbor Sweden said Sunday that its embassy in Kuwait
City will acquiesce to Baghdad's demand that it move its embassy, and
had begun preparations to make a diplomatic move on Tuesday.
|
| 412.2 | Forced unloading of Norwegian ship | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Mon Aug 20 1990 14:14 | 48 |
| From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.europe,
clari.news.fighting,clari.news.economy,clari.news.hot.iraq,biz.clarinet.sample
Subject: Claim Norwegian vessel forced to unload by Jordan
Keywords: international, non-usa government, government, fighting,
non-usa economies, economy
Date: 14 Aug 90 18:37:50 GMT
Location: norway, jordan
ACategory: international
Slugword: iraq-norway
OSLO, Norway (UPI) -- A Norwegian ship captain was forced by
Jordanian police to unload grain bound for Iraq from his vessel in the
port of Aqaba, media reports said Tuesday. Government spokesmen said
the incident, which took place last week, was to be fully investigated
and "appropriate action" taken if the incident violated a United
Nations embargo on trade with Iraq.
The report, published in most Norwegian newspapers Tuesday, said
the 86,000-ton, Norwegian-owned and Liberia registered vessel Tanga was
forced to unload its cargo of grain after its captain was arrested by
Jordanian police. "We stopped unloading in order to fulfill boycott
requirements from the Norwegian authorities," Jan Pedersen, Managing
Director of the Tanga owners Jebsen line, told the newspaper
Aftenposten. "The captain was then arrested by the Jordanian police
and threatened, forcing him to resume offloading. The captain agreed in
order to ensure the safety of his crew," Pedersen added. He did not
elaborate on what threats had been issued to the unnamed captain.
Sources in Jordan said the cargo was not covered by the embargo
because it had arrived in Aqaba before the sanctions went into effect.
Pedersen said he had informed both Norway's Foreign Ministry and the
Norwegian Shipping Association, many of whose members ply trade routes
in the Persian Gulf.
"The incident will be investigated, but given the apparent
circumstances it seems unlikely the owners will be legally held
responsible for breaking the embargo," said Foreign Ministry spokesman
Bjorn Blokhus. He said appropriate action would be taken when full
reports had been submitted.
On Aug. 6. the Security Council resolution approved an embargo on
trade with Iraq following that country's invasion and annexation of
Kuwait. Norway immediately complied, ordering all Norwegian companies
and vessels to stop any trading with Iraq. But since the embargo, the
Jordanian port of Aqaba appears to have become a surreptitious safety
valve for Baghdad, with convoys of trucks plying highways from the port
to the Iraqi border.
|
| 412.3 | More newsgroup discussions | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Wed Aug 22 1990 15:54 | 201 |
| From: [email protected] (Jonny Axelsson)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic,eunet.politics
Subject: re: Iraq & Send in the EuroMarines!
Date: 19 Aug 90 22:43:27 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Informatics, University in Oslo, Norway
[email protected] (Kim Christian Madsen) quotes me:
The most farfetched official reaction came from the current defence
minister, that stated that due to the situation in the Middle East, the
defence budget should not be cut. Indeed. You never know about these
arabic despot types. Saddam Hussein may just now be ready to take a
grab for the Norwegian off shore oil fields, just passing through
Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Denmark and
Sweden.
and he replies:
If he isn't stopped, he might, in due time! 1/4 :-)
However, Europe must realize that it must take our share of the
responsibility toward what is going on in our backyard. Remember that
Turkey is a full-fledged NATO member and an attack on Turkey must be
considered an attack on both NATO and Europe. [...\
Furthermore, with the events in the world today, we have to stand up as
civilized countries trying to quell regional unrest, not only in the
Middle East, but probably soon in Northern Africa.
To this I counter:
Actually, that line is just a last ditch defence for the defence budget
(like in most other West European countries). Of course, by treaty, an
attack on Turkey is an attack on Norway (or Denmark or Spain), but in
practice the Norwegian forces would be as useful (or less) in Turkey as
Turkish forces in Norway (that is as more cannon fodder). The Norwegian
military capabilities are mainly (locally) defensive, what offensive
strike capability there is is directed against "the enemy" (guess who).
They might send some F-16 kamikaze droppers or something down there
though.
Besides, I find a real attack on Turkey extremely unlikely, as it
doesn't strike me as a rational thing to do, since (as far as I know)
he can't win such a conflict, and anyway the gain wouldn't stand up to
the losses. And don't give me the line that SH is a madman, everything
he's done so far has been (reprehensibly) rational. It's just that he's
not considered one of "ours" any longer. Invading their neighbors is a
customary thing for military leaders to do. The only unique thing about
this case is that he has no powerful ally, and that he is doing it in a
dangerous area.
An European defence system will probably be built that will efficiently
annihilate anyone entering European soil without proper entrance visas.
But I find the thought extremely repulsive that this system should be
used for party hopping US marine style whenever they feel the urge
(probably before any major election), and there is some "regional
unrest" to "quell". The European style is to stay out of the conflict
and sell arms to both sides, probably because the bankers have much
higher clout than the defence industry. If this coming system is going
to be used in a way you describe (and which many European would like,
notably the Military-Entertainment Complex), I don't know if this part
of the world would be fit to live in any longer.
Anyone knows how to apply for political asylum in Canada?
Jonny
4th floor
Norway
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] (Kjartan Stefansson)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq-hostages
Date: 20 Aug 90 03:48:03 GMT
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept. Ithaca NY
[email protected] (Jedidiah Jon Palosaari) writes:
>I noticed on the news that Finns (among others) were released from
>Iraq. Does anyone know approximately how many Finnish were being
>held in Iraq?
No, but someone told me that there were about 500 people from the
nordic countries in Iraq and Kuwait (Including nine Icelanders. I
think we should send our army over!) From what I caught on the news,
the Swedes and Finns seemed to be the only nordic people to be
released.
>Jedidiah Palosaari
Kjartan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] (Lars-Henrik Eriksson)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq
Date: 20 Aug 90 07:11:21 GMT
Organization: Swedish Institute of Computer Science
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Kim
Christian Madsen) writes:
> The
> reference for the Swedish disission to move their embassy from Kuwait
> City to Bagdad, was made in the Danish Television News, and the reason
> was that Sweden feared retaliatory actions from the Iraqies if they
> did not comply with order given by Saddam Hussein!
From articles in "Dagens Nyheter" today and yesterday it seems quite
clear that Sweden has no plans to move its embassy in Kuwait, and that
it considers the Iraqui order to do so as invalid.
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Kim
Christian Madsen) writes:
> Europe then inherits the
> responsibilities left from the US in the vicinity of Europe, the real
> problem is who is going to take care of the Far East, Asia and most of
> Africa?
What do you really mean by this? Is sounds like "white man's burden" to
me.
Lars-Henrik Eriksson Internet: [email protected]
Swedish Institute of Computer Science Phone (intn'l): +46 8 752 15 09
Box 1263 Telefon (nat'l): 08 - 752 15 09
S-164 28 KISTA, SWEDEN
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] (J{rvinen Hannu-Matti)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq-hostages
Date: 20 Aug 90 10:31:27 GMT
Organization: Tampere University of Technology, Finland
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Jedidiah Jon
Palosaari) writes:
>I noticed on the news that Finns (among others) were released from
>Iraq. Does anyone know approximately how many Finnish were being
>held in Iraq?
23 in Kuweit and 23 in Iraq + diplomats. It isn't known yet, if all of
them are released (I hope they begin with children).
-----
Hannu-Matti Jarvinen, [email protected]
Opinions of tut != opinions of mine, and vice versa.
TTKK on samaa mielt{ kanssani siit{, ett{ en edusta sen mielipidett{.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] (Tom Haapanen)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq-hostages
Date: 20 Aug 90 12:07:03 GMT
Organization: University of Waterloo, WATMIMS Research Group
Jedidiah Jon Palosaari <[email protected]> writes:
> I noticed on the news that Finns (among others) were released from
> Iraq. Does anyone know approximately how many Finnish were being
> held in Iraq?
Some figures from UPI, via ClariNet:
Nationals released:
Austria 70 in Kuwait 70 in Iraq
Finland 23 27
Portugal ? ?
Sweden 140 40
Switzerland 97 69
Nationals held hostage:
Canada 500 in Kuwait 200 in Iraq
Denmark 83 20
Germany 290 450
Norway 21 30
Soviet Union 1000 8000
United Kingdom 4000 700
United States 2500 600
And some guest workers:
Bangladesh: 70,000 25,000
Egypt 150,000 1,600,000
India 170,000 60,000
Lebanon 30,000 20,000
Morocco 6,000 30,000
Pakistan 90,000 10,000
Philippines 60,000 5,000
Sri Lanka 100,000 0
Thailand 7,000 3,000
Palestinians 300,000 170,000
As can be seen, there are lots of Egyptians and Palestinians in Iraq,
and Kuwait had hundreds of thousands of guest workers from southeast
Asia. Many of these are currently permitted to leave as well.
[ \tom haapanen --- university of waterloo --- [email protected] ]
[ "i don't even know what street canada is on" -- al capone ]
|
| 412.4 | No one's been released, no embassy has moved voluntarily | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Fri Aug 24 1990 11:49 | 92 |
| From: [email protected] (Anders Andersson)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq
Date: 20 Aug 90 19:21:22 GMT
Organization: Uppsala University, Sweden
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Kim
Christian Madsen) writes: >[email protected] (Ulf Dahlen) writes:
>>>However, unlike Sweden who are about to move the embassy of Kuwait to
>>>Bagdad, Denmark like the other EEC members, refuse to recognize either
>>Are you sure Sweden is going to move its embassy? Why on earth for?
>>Are they recognizing Iraq's annexation? Has Sten Andersson (Foreign
>>Minister) said something stupid? (If he's opened his mouth, he has.)
I think he's pretty aware of this, because he can be quite reluctant to
say things at times. He had reportedly discussed the Iraqi intent of
moving all westerners to certain hotels with his Nordic colleagues, but
refused to say what advice they had agreed to give their respective
nationals in Kuwait, "out of concern for their safety". However, the
reporter considered this silence strange given that the Norwegian and
Danish foreign offices had already disclosed their instructions...
>I'm not certain about anything these days when the issue is the Middle
>East, moods, promises, agreements, etc. change from hour to hour. The
>reference for the Swedish disission to move their embassy from Kuwait
>City to Bagdad, was made in the Danish Television News, and the reason
>was that Sweden feared retaliatory actions from the Iraqies if they
>did not comply with order given by Saddam Hussein!
Not only did they spread an unfounded rumour about us moving to Bagdad,
they even provided a reason for us to do so!? I have not seen any
indications supporting this, neither have I heard about that rumour
before (but neither do I watch Danish television). Quite on the
contrary, the Swedish embassy stays in Kuwait as long as needed, and
goes nowhere.
If I may guess what caused the confusion, it might be that the EC
countries were pretty quick to reject Saddam's request, while the
Swedish Foreign Office was still reportedly "conferring with other
countries" on the issue. I don't think there were many hours of delay
before they joined the choir.
One interesting development is Saddam's appearant attempt to divide the
western opinion by offering citizens of "neutral" countries to leave.
Does he by any chance think that our non-alignment policy means we are
neutral with respect to the invasion of Kuwait? Does he expect us to
start beating each other like kids for being unfairly treated by him?
The fewer hostages, the better, but I doubt he'll release all of ours
in one move.
I have yet to see the yellow-and-blue on fire in Amman or elsewhere. It
sure is convenient for them to single out their traditional enemies and
forget about everybody else. What is the point of me protesting, if
they don't hear it and burn MY flag? Being labelled as a "friend" by
the enemy is a pretty hopeless situation.
--
Anders Andersson, Dept. of Computer Systems, Uppsala University
Paper Mail: Box 520, S-751 20 UPPSALA, Sweden
Phone: +46 18 183170 EMail: [email protected]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] (Kolkka Markku Olavi)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq-hostages
Date: 21 Aug 90 09:01:25 GMT
Organization: Finnish University and Research Network FUNET
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Tom Haapanen) writes:
|> > Does anyone know approximately how many Finnish were being
|> > held in Iraq?
|>
|> Some figures from UPI, via ClariNet:
|>
|> Nationals released:
|> Finland 23 27
[...]
Talking about "were being held" or "nationals released" is premature.
The Iraqi _promised_ that an unspecified number of nationals of various
neutral states would be given permission to leave country sometimes in
the future. So far (according to last news I heard) NO ONE has
_actually_ been released.
--
Markku Kolkka
[email protected]
|
| 412.5 | More on Swedish Embassy et al. | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Wed Aug 29 1990 13:23 | 80 |
| From: [email protected] (Bertil Jonell)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq
Date: 23 Aug 90 08:51:57 GMT
Organization: Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
The latest thing that I heard was that the Swedish Embassy in Kuweit
was going to be closed, closed but not shut down... The alleged reason
was that there is only three diplomats there and all of them are needed
to take care of the Swedes who are supposed to be travelling by convoy
from Bagdad to Turkey.
That way our 'great' foreign minister can say that Sweden won't budge
for Saddam Hussein at the same time as the embassy in Kuweit is closed
and Saddam is kept happy.
BTW, he (the foreign minister) also practically claimed that it was his
'silent diplomacy' that effected the release of the swedes. He failed
to explain why finns, austrians etc. also were released at the same
time...
'Silent dimplomacy' is the Swedish equivalent of 'Matters of the
National Security', that is, the buzzword that the foreign department
hides it's failures behind.
-bertil-
--
Bertil K K Jonell @ Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg
NET: [email protected]
VOICE: +46 31 723971 / +46 300 61004 "Don't worry,I've got Pilot-7"
SNAILMAIL: Box 154,S-43900 Onsala,SWEDEN (Famous last words)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] (Kim Christian Madsen)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq
Date: 24 Aug 90 19:20:11 GMT
Organization: Department Of Computer Science, University Of Copenhagen
[email protected] (Annika Forsten DC) writes:
>The Swedes and the Finns are still on the Iraq side of the Turkish border.
>Yesterday they said on the news that 10% will be allowed to leave, no more.
>That means 5 Finns (including a pregnant woman). Does Saddam want something
>in exchange for the others? No, he says. Who believes him?
The latest rumor (though it could as well be spoken by the mouth of
S.H.) is that only women and children under 18 are allowed to escape
from Iraq, and only those with relatives still in Hussein's grasp, so
that he can keep the "freed" hostages from going to the press and feel
free to tell them whatever they want to say to the press about their
stay in Kuwait or Iraq.
Kim Chr. Madsen
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] (Lennart Boerjeson @ KTH/LNE,
The Royal Inst. of Tech.)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq
Date: 24 Aug 90 07:40:33 GMT
Organization: KTH School of E.E.
This mornings papers reports that the Ambassador and the 1:st secretary
stays in the embassy. Only the Ambassador's wife followed the second
convoy out of Kuwait. The reason given was that as only one swede out
of 30 remaining in Kuwait actually wanted out, only one person with
diplomatic status was needed to accompany the convoy. The foreign
minister has said on television that the primary mission of the Embassy
is to protect swedish citizens in Kuwait. As long as any remain,
they'll try to keep the Embassy running.
!++
! Lennart Boerjeson, System Manager
! School of Electrical Engineering
! Royal Institute of Technology
! S-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
! tel: int+46-8-7907814
! Internet: [email protected]
!--
|
| 412.6 | Swedish Ambassador's wife departed | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Fri Aug 31 1990 09:54 | 24 |
| From: [email protected] (Per-Erik Martin)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq
Date: 24 Aug 90 14:21:10 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Computer Systems, Uppsala University, Sweden
--
According to today's newspapers the Swedish Ambassador (Ingolf Kiesow)
and the first Secretary (Lars-G|ran Paulsson) is still at the Embassy
in Kuwait and they will stay there. The Ambassador's wife left with one
other swede in the last convoy.
The deadline set by Iraq expired at noon today, but according to CNN
nothing has yet happened to the remaining Embassy staffs.
BTW, the newspaper (Dagens Nyheter) claims that the last Finnish
diplomat left Kuwait last tuesday.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Per-Erik Martin, ZYX Sweden AB, Bangardsgatan 13, S-753 20 Uppsala, Sweden -
- Email: [email protected] -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 412.7 | Danish foreign minister speaks out | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Tue Sep 04 1990 14:08 | 86 |
| From: [email protected] (JULIAN M. ISHERWOOD)
Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.hot.iraq,
biz.clarinet.sample,clari.news.europe
Subject: Denmark chides Waldheim, U.S. allies
Keywords: international, non-usa government, government
Date: 31 Aug 90 18:41:51 GMT
Location: iraq, denmark
ACategory: international
Slugword: iraq-denmark
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (UPI) -- Denmark's foreign minister appealed
Friday to small nations throughout the world to send one warship to the
Persian Gulf to swell the international armada blockading Iraq. "I
urge all the small nations to do this as part of the United Nations
effort to make the blockade as effective as possible and give a clear
signal to (Iraqi president) Saddam Hussein," said Foreign Minister Uffe
Ellemann-Jensen.
Ellemann-Jensen also chided America's European allies for doing
"too little too late" in the effort to stand up to Iraq, and criticized
Austrian President Kurt Waldheim for a visit to Iraq that resulted in
Austrian hostages being released. Iraq is holding Westerners to guard
against attack by a U.S.-led multinational force.
The Danish official spoke as the country's parliament was to give
the constitutional stamp of approval for deployment of a Danish multi-
purpose corvette to the gulf. A corvette is a fast warship smaller than
a destroyer and often used in convoys.
"If as many small countries as possible from around the world take
part, it will be a major boost to the United Nations and an effort that
will set its mark on international cooperation for years to come,"
Ellemann-Jensen said. "In particular it will be a clear message to
dictators such as Saddam Hussein and give them something to think about
before they consider invading their neighbors," the foreign minister
added.
Ellemann-Jensen went on to underscore comments by British Premier
Margaret Thatcher who Thursday chided America's allies for not acting
quickly enough to help the military effort in the gulf region following
Saddam's Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait. Speaking to delegates at a European
Conservative Party organization conference in Finland, Thatcher said
although there had been political support for the United States'
immediate troop deployment, only Britain and France had been willing to
help with military forces.
"Europe has given too little too late," Ellemann-Jensen said
Friday. "This is something we will have to take up in Europe in the
future. We cannot expect the United States always to be there as an
international policeman to safeguard our well-being," the foreign
minister said.
He added that Denmark, along with other European nations had
received a request from the United States to provide roll-on, roll-off
vessels to help the further deployment of U.S. troops from America to
the Middle East. "We will have to look into this subject very
carefully," Ellemann-Jensen said.
Denmark's government does not recognize U.S. land forces in Saudi
Arabia as being part of a United Nations effort, unlike naval forces in
the gulf region.
Ellemann-Jensen went on to deliver a sharp rebuke to Austria's
President Kurt Waldheim for traveling to Iraq for discussions with
Saddam that led to all Austrians being held against their will in Iraq
being allowed to travel home. "Of course, in the short-term Austria is
happy that its citizens have come home," Ellemann-Jensen said. "But
the rift in United Nations solidarity that this caused was not good in
the long-term. And I must admit, the sight of Waldheim and Saddam
photographed smiling together was not pleasing," he added.
Ellemann-Jensen meanwhile said a Scandinavian Airways aircraft was
to leave Stockholm Friday night for Turkey where it was to await
landing permission for Baghdad in order to pick up predominantly
Swedish nationals who have already received exit visas, and others who
expect Saturday to receive exit visas. The aircraft, containing
doctors and nurses, was to wait for permission to enter Iraq either at
Istanbul airport or at Diyarbakir close to the Iraq-Turkey border.
"But the Swedes are, at present, the only Nordic nation who appear
to have actually received exit visas from the Iraqis," the foreign
minister said. He added Danish diplomats had not yet received exit
visas for the 10 women and 11 children waiting in Iraq to benefit from
a promise made by Saddam to free all foreign women and children.
"Quite frankly I would say that we should not pin our hopes too high,"
Ellemann-Jensen said.
|
| 412.8 | Swedish embassy surrounded | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Tue Sep 04 1990 17:11 | 18 |
| From: [email protected] (Bertil Jonell)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Iraq
Date: 28 Aug 90 13:51:10 GMT
Organization: Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
The thing I heard was that the ambassador were in his home (ie not at
the embassy). This was true at least for when the deadline ran out. I'm
not sure about now, but according to todays papers, the Swedish embassy
was surrounded by military forces, so I imagine that the staff couldn't
get in if they are outside.
-bertil-
--
Bertil K K Jonell @ Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg
NET: [email protected]
VOICE: +46 31 723971 / +46 300 61004 "Don't worry,I've got Pilot-7"
SNAILMAIL: Box 154,S-43900 Onsala,SWEDEN (Famous last words)
|
| 412.9 | Koivisto and the beaming Bush | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Wed Sep 12 1990 16:09 | 105 |
| From: [email protected] (JAMES ROSEN)
Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.europe,
clari.news.issues.conflict,clari.news.hot.east_europe,clari.news.politics
Subject: Bush meets with Finnish president
Keywords: international, non-usa government, government, war & peace,
social issues, politics
Date: 8 Sep 90 18:51:53 GMT
Location: finland, mideast, soviet union
ACategory: international
Slugword: summit-finland
HELSINKI, Finland (UPI) -- President Bush and Finnish President
Mauno Koivisto agreed Saturday that U.N. sanctions against Iraq must be
"fully and strictly implemented" but did not discuss a possible air
embargo or military strike, a Finnish official said. The two leaders
met for 90 minutes after Bush arrived in Helsinki for his Sunday summit
with Mikhail Gorbachev.
The Soviet president landed in Helsinki early Saturday evening and
said he and Bush would meet at a "crucial moment in history."
Bush appeared to reject Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze's
call for an international conference on the Middle East to deal with
Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait, telling Koivisto that the
United Nations is the proper forum to discuss conflicts in the region.
Bush said in his brief arrival statement that consolidated world
isolation of Iraq would "set in place the cornerstone of an
international order more peaceful, stable and secure than any we have
known."
In a break with past practice, Bush and Koivisto rode together in
the Finnish president's car from Helsinki's Vantaa International
Airport to the 19th-century Presidential Palace. Finns, some of them
holding small American flags, lined the capital's main thoroughfare,
Mannerheimvagen, as the motorcade passed.
After his talks with Koivisto over lunch, Bush stopped at an
outdoor market on his way to the U.S. Embassy. A beaming Bush shook
hands with some of the hundreds of local residents who greeted him at
the market against a colorful background of boats docked in Helsinki's
Southern Harbor.
Jaako Blomberg, director of the Finnish Foreign Ministry's
political department, told reporters that Bush and Koivisto's talks had
focused on the Persian Gulf crisis and the internal situation in the
Soviet Union. "The presidents discussed the (gulf) situation primarily
from the point of view of the U.N. Security Council and agreed on the
need to have Security Council sanctions fully and strictly
implemented," Blomberg said.
Bush and Koivisto did not discuss a U.N. air embargo, U.S. military
action or other possible tougher steps beyond the five U.N. measures in
place against Iraq, Blomberg said. "Future prospects of (possible)
decisions were not discussed, other than the enforcement of sanctions
as they are," he said.
Bush and Koivisto addressed the plight of tens of thousands of
mainly Arab and Asian refugees who have fled Iraq and occupied Kuwait
in the wake of Baghdad's Aug. 2 invasion. They also discussed the fate
of foreign nationals held hostage in Iraq, agreeing that those detained
by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein "have to leave the country without
any conditions," Blomberg said. Koivisto raised concerns about the
harmful effects of the U.N. economic blockade against Baghdad on
Eastern and Central European countries heavily dependent on Iraqi oil
and other imports.
Asked whether the two men had discussed Shevardnadze's call for an
international conference to consider the gulf crisis in a broader
context, Blomberg said that Bush had made a "reference ... to the
United Nations being the proper forum for Middle East issues."
Shevardnadze, who arrived in Helsinki with Gorbachev, previously said:
"I believe this (Middle East conference) plan is feasible even though,
as far as I am aware, (U.S.) Secretary of State James Baker is not very
enthusiastic at the moment."
In an apparent reference to possible unilateral military action
against Iraq by Saudi-based U.S. troops, Shevardnadze said the
superpower summit "will give both sides an opportunity to agree" that
all operations in the gulf must be based on U.N. resolutions.
"Neither the Soviet Union nor the United States have any ready- made
formula to achieve a peaceful settlement to the gulf crisis,"
Shevardnadze told Soviet journalists Friday as he flew to Moscow from
Japan to conclude a week-long Asia tour. Shevardnadze said he was
prepared to go to Iraq to help negotiate an end to the crisis. But
Gorbachev's spokesman, Vitaly Ignatenko, told reporters in Helsinki
that Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz would not be welcome in Moscow
for more talks unless he brought new proposals. The invasion of Kuwait
has seriously harmed relations between the Soviet Union and Iraq, which
had been close allies with numerous economic and military ties. On
arriving at Helsinki's airport Saturday, Gorbachev said of his meeting
with Bush, "It is important for us to compare our political approaches
and to cooperate in order to protect the important trends developing in
the world today." He said it was important to make sure those trends
"are not thwarted."
Finns said they were proud that their neutral non-aligned country
had been chosen as the venue for the summit. "Finland is a small
country, and now everyone is watching and interested in Helsinki and
what's going to happen here," said Maria Roivas, an 18-year-old music
student.
Bush noted in his arrival remarks that "the city of Helsinki has
often been a meeting place for nations seeking to advance the cause of
peace." A senior Soviet official in Helsinki before Gorbachev's
arrival said it was "absolutely unpredictable" whether the superpower
leaders would stick to their plans of holding only one day of talks.
|
| 412.10 | Anchors Aweigh! | COPCLU::GEOFFREY | RUMMEL - The Forgotten American | Thu Sep 13 1990 04:46 | 25 |
|
Some of the latest developments from Scandinavia:
The Danish navy has sent a corvette (the largest type vessel in
the fleet) on its way to join the international blockade. It
should reach the gulf on October 1st. This is the first time
since the colonial era that a Danish warship is being sent into
foreign waters in a projection of sea power. A Norwegian naval
vessel will meet up with the Danish corvette and act as a supply
ship.
The Danish shipping line Maersk has offered to sail American war
material to the gulf for FREE! The line has 3 ro-ro container
ships and will allow the US military to use the garage decks
free of charge to transport large quantities of vehicles
(trucks, jeeps, and tanks). This is a remarkable move as most of
the shipping lines, including the American ones, that are
chartering tonnage to the American fleet are doing so at premium
rates. While this is a PR and Marketing coup for Maersk the
offer is apparently due to the pro-American sentiments of the
shipping line's owner - who spent WWII as a refugee in the
states.
|
| 412.11 | Did any of you Finnish Noters see the broadcast? | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Thu Sep 13 1990 13:25 | 42 |
| From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: clari.news.interest.people,clari.news.europe,clari.news.tv,
clari.news.hot.iraq,biz.clarinet.sample,clari.news.politics.people,
clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.hot.east_europe
Subject: Finn to interview Saddam Hussein for summit showing.
Keywords: international, people, human interest, television, media,
political personalities, politics, non-usa government, government
Date: 7 Sep 90 11:51:30 GMT
Location: finland, iraq, soviet union
ACategory: international
Slugword: summit-finland
HELSINKI (UPI) -- A Finnish member of Parliament and political non-
conformist is to interview Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for a
television report to be aired during Sunday's superpower summit in
Helsinki, it was reported Friday. Finland's main Swedish language
daily Hufvudstadsbladet said Jorgen Donner, unconventional and
outspoken parliamentarian and former minister of culture, left for
Baghdad with a commitment from Saddam that he would permit the
interview.
"A film company here in Finland approached me, said it had
permission for the interview and asked if I would do the questioning,"
Donner said. "I would not go unless there was a firm commitment on the
part of the Iraqi leader to agree to the interview," Donner said before
leaving Helsinki.
Donner, newly appointed political spokesman for Finland's Swedish
People's Party, was to leave Amman, Jordan, late Friday for Baghdad and
was expected to interview Saddam Saturday before returning to Finland.
"I have to be back on Sunday anyway because I've promised to babysit,"
Donner said.
President Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev are to meet
Sunday in Helsinki to discuss the Persian Gulf crisis and other matters
of bilateral interest.
The Finnish film company arranging the interview said it had booked
sattelite time for its transmission Saturday. "The interview has been
sold to a number of countries and we have had a lot of other requests
for the interview," a spokeswoman for the company said but refused to
give any details.
|
| 412.12 | Norway's involvement debated | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Tue Sep 25 1990 11:53 | 33 |
| From: [email protected] (AAdne Bakkane)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Norway's involvement in Iraq-US conflict
Date: 20 Sep 90 09:20:43 GMT
Organization: Div. of CS & Telematics, Norwegian Institute of Technology
[email protected] (OS) asks about the OS>Subject: Norway's
involvement in Iraq-US conflict
The Norwegian (support of) military involvement in the Iraqi-KUWAIT (or
Iraq-World) conflict builds upon these major considerations:
* A small country is occupied by a bigger one
* UN has asked its members to support a blocade,
and the blocade can be enforced by power
* Saudi Arabia has asked USA (and others) for support
The Norwegian involvment includes humanitarian support for people in
the camps in Jordan, replacement of NATO forces, and a supply ship
(coast guard) in cooperation with a Danish ship.
There is a debate in Norway about this. The liberal right wing party
(Fremskrittspartiet) wants an increased involvement. The coalition
government wants to go a bit further than they are doing now (sell
weapons to UAE), but the socialists do not wish to go that far. (The
government needs support from either the right wing, or from one of the
socialist parties). The whole situation is to be debated in the
Parliament on monday 24.
--
AAdne Bakkane [email protected]
|
| 412.13 | Danish warship | CHARLT::SAVAGE | | Tue Oct 02 1990 17:30 | 39 |
| From: [email protected] (Lars Poulsen)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Danish Warship to Persian Gulf
Date: 28 Sep 90 21:22:06 GMT
Organization: Rockwell CMC
This story has not been mentioned in US news or this newsgroup:
The Danish Navy is sending the corvette Olfert Fischer to the Persian
Gulf to participate in the blockade against Iraq. The crew is 94: 15
officers, 12 NCOs and 67 privates, some of which are enlisted, some
conscripts (yes, Denmark has a peacetime draft, about half of all young
men serve for 9 months or so).
The Olfert Fischer is mainly designed/equipped for patrolling the
Atlantic fiheries (around the Faeroe Islands), and has had to be fitted
with airconditioning for this new mission.
-----
Other gulf war stories:
Iraq has been hoarding Danish food supplies for months. In 1989, Iraq
bought canned and dried milk from Denmark for about 4 million USD;
during the first 6 months of 1990, Iraq purchased Daniish canned milk
for USD 15 mio, plus butter, cheese and other farm products. Kuwait has
not purchased significantly more.
British ministry of defense has chartered the DFDS container ferry to
move the 7th armoured brigade from Bremerhaven, Germany to Saudi
Arabia. It will take 3 months to move the Challenger tanks to the Gulf.
The 6000 soldiers of the brigade will travel with their equipment on
the ship, which will remain under Danish flag for the mission.
---
--
/ Lars Poulsen, SMTS Software Engineer
CMC Rockwell [email protected]
|
| 412.14 | Sweden's foriegn minister calls Iraqi leader "madman" | NEILS::SAVAGE | | Thu Nov 01 1990 08:36 | 26 |
| From: [email protected] (Bertil Jonell)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Middle East (Yaaaa!!! Run Away!!) with a nordic connection!
(Really!?)
Date: 30 Oct 90 08:44:29 GMT
Organization: Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.
According to this mornings papers, the spokesperson of the Iraqui
parliament said that the Swedes in the hostage are unlikely to be
released, because of a statement of the Swedish foreign minister, Sten
Andersson in which he among other things said: "Madmen like Saddam
might get dangerous if cornered." It seems that Saddam Hussein didn't
like to be described as a madman.
A foreign minister is usually supposed to behave with slightly more
sense of diplomacy, but Sten Andersson have done things like this
before. On one occation when commenting the Baltic movement for
independence, he emphazised the undemocratic tendencies in the three
countries before WWII.
"Talking softly and carry a big stick" is an expression, "Talking big
and carry a soft stick" seems like to be the case here :-(
-bertil-
--
"Words on the net aren't usually worth the paper they are written on."
|
| 412.15 | Madman on loose | EEMELI::HAUTALA | | Mon Nov 05 1990 11:16 | 4 |
|
But he spoke the truth.
Hannu H.
|
| 412.16 | | MOVIES::JJOHNSON | Weak typing is for strong stomachs | Mon Nov 05 1990 14:22 | 5 |
| re .15:
There's no greater sin in diplomacy.
Jim.
|
| 412.17 | Danes told to leave Middle East | TLE::SAVAGE | | Tue Jan 08 1991 11:22 | 21 |
| From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.europe,
clari.news.fighting,clari.news.hot.iraq
Subject: Danes urged to leave 13 Middle Eastern countries
Date: 2 Jan 91 17:48:19 GMT
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (UPI) -- Denmark told its citizens Wednesday to
avoid traveling to several Near and Middle East countries, and advised
those already in the area to leave before the Jan. 15 United Nations
deadline for Iraq to leave Kuwait. A Foreign Ministry communique said
the nations countries involved are Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates,
Israel, Iran, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
Sudan, eastern Turkey and Yemen.
"Danes, and particularly family members and non-vital personnel,
are urged to consider leaving (these) countries before Jan. 15, 1991,
and not to return until the situation in the area has been clarified,"
the Foreign Ministry statement said. "The decision is not an
expression of anticipation of war in the gulf after Jan. 15, but of
uncertainty regarding developments in the area," the statement said.
|
| 412.18 | Ship movements | TLE::SAVAGE | | Mon Jan 21 1991 11:00 | 68 |
| From: [email protected] (Hjerre Faurschou Hviid)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: <None>
Date: 18 Jan 91 10:40:24 GMT
Sender: [email protected] (UseNet News)
Organization: CS and Math, University of Aalborg, Denmark
In article <[email protected]> [email protected] (Frans
Lichtenberg) writes:
>Subject:Denmark/Norway in war?
>Organization: Sheridan College, Oakville, Ont. CANADA
>References: <[email protected]> <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
>Summary:war
>Date: Thu, 17 Jan 1991 13:54:32 GMT
>
>
>Can anyone tell me if the Danish and/or Norwiegen navy located in the
>gulf is now playing a offencive role or not.
>
> Frans Lichtenberg.......
Well, current order from the prime minister seems to be: stay the h*ll
out of any combat !!!, though the ship is armoured to the teeth, and
can defend itself if cornered ! Sole purpose of Olfert Fischer
("Golfert" amoung friends) is to make sure that no bad guys carry
supplies to SoDamn Husseins bad guys. Current position is far from the
"hot spot" (in the Arab Emirates, if I remember correctly).
--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
H. F. Hviid, Dat6 | - Marvin, there's a whole new life ahead of you !
[email protected] | - Oh no, not another one !!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: [email protected] (Bj|rn Lisper)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Swedish ship in Persian Gulf???
Date: 21 Jan 91 09:34:11 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Swedish Institute of Computer Science, Kista
In article <[email protected]> [email protected]
(Kurt Swanson) writes:
) On CNN today I saw a British newsreel(tape) of tanker ships trans-
)porting army trucks, supplies, etc. One ship interested me since it had
)designs reminiscient of a Cruise ship. Then I noticed it had "Malm�"
)painted on it. Could a Swedish cruise ship actually be
)transporting the united states' implements of war? Is this actually in the
)realm of possibilities?
Two Swedish cargo ships have been unloading in the Persian Gulf and are
now heading out of the area. At least one was chartered by the U.S. to
carry material to the allied troops (I don't think any weapons,
though).
Sweden is not strictly neutral in this conflict. It supports the U.N.
resolution against the Iraqi invasion. So there is nothing that
prevents any Swedish shipper to carry material for the allied forces.
Furthermore, upon request from Great Britain, Sweden will set up a
military hospital for wounded prisoners of war captured by the allies
(apparently it is customary that one arranges for some country not
directly involved in the fights to do this). It is highly unlikely
that Sweden will send any armed forces, though.
Bj"orn Lisper
|
| 412.19 | More on Swedish shipping | TLE::SAVAGE | | Tue Jan 22 1991 13:19 | 23 |
| From: [email protected] (Mats Winberg)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Swedish ship in Persian Gulf???
Date: 21 Jan 91 09:40:32 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Ericsson
To the best of my knowledge 3 swedish ships are delivering material for
the allied war effort. 2 has already unloaded and are on their way out
of the gulf. 1 is on its way to a Saudi port, which one is not
disclosed. The ships cargo is mainly trucks, armoured vehicles and
jeeps. The ships have been chartered by the U.S or the U.K governments.
One of the ships was in fact a ferry on the route Malm� - Travemunde.
Swedish ships were also used during the Falklands war.
*************************
Mats Winberg
[email protected]
*************************
|
| 412.20 | What violence can create is doubtful | TLE::SAVAGE | | Tue Jan 22 1991 13:20 | 38 |
| From: [email protected] (Mats Winberg)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: A Swedish Poem
Date: 21 Jan 91 11:11:49 GMT
Sender: [email protected]
Organization: Ericsson
When I heard that 'operation desert shield' now had become 'operation
desert storm' I immediately remembered a swedish poem by the poet
Esaias Tegner (1782-1846). He wrote the poem when Napoleon was at his
height of power (1810), but in my opinion this poem is directed against
dictators and assailants of all times. It's called 'Det Eviga' ('The
Eternal') and it's first verse goes as follows:
Vael formar den starke med svaerdet sin vaerld,
vael flyga som oernar hans rykten
men naagon gaang brytes det vandrande svaerd
och oernarna faellas i flykten.
Vad vaaldet maa skapa aer vanskligt och kort
det doer som en stromvind i oeknen bort.
My translation is as follows:
The strong shapes his world with the sword
as eagles his praise is flown
but sometimes the wandering sword is broken
and eagles fall from the sky
What violence can create is doubtful and short
it dies away like a wind in a desert storm.
*********************
Mats Winberg
[email protected]
*********************
|
| 412.21 | More on Denmark's role in the Gulf | TLE::SAVAGE | | Thu Jan 24 1991 12:29 | 60 |
| From: [email protected] (Niels Christian Juul)
Newsgroups: alt.desert-storm,soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: War briefs, danish troops to the war?
Date: 24 Jan 91 09:05:03 GMT
Sender: [email protected] (Netnews System)
Organization: Department of Computer Science, U of Copenhagen
The CNN message about Denmark going to take an active part in the Golf
war has been mis-interpreted.
Our minister of foreign affairs Uffe Elleman Jensen made his statement
as a privat person (and chairman of his political party, the liberals).
The danish government faces a majority against more military
involvments in the golf in the danish parliament (FOLKETINGET).
There won't be any military support from Denmark,
even if Turkey is attacked the NATO support from Denmark
is a point of discussion.
So Saddam does not need to 'be awar of the wild vikings'.
[email protected] (Frank L Ross) writes:
>>To get back to the Gulf war, I think the standing Danish army is about
>>70.000, but I am not sure whether that includes the navy and air force.
>>In any case, it would make little difference in the Gulf. My personal
>The figure, to my knowledge, is 20,000 and a home guard of 60,000. Furthermore,
>what happened to the frigate (corvette?) that the Danes sent to the gulf. It is
>the sister ship of Peder Skram; thus, I heard the joke that the Danes had sent
>half their Navy to the Gulf. Nevertheless, Uffe said that it would be withdrawn
>on the outbreak of war. A rather iritating policy. After all, the Danish Navy
>has had live fire excercises against summer houses more than a half decade ago.
>Frank
>>Rene' Seindal ([email protected])
The corvette(?) Olfert Fisher is still operating in the persian golf.
It works far outside the current battle area. It's duty is now as
before to inforce the UN sanctions: No trading with Iraq.
Denmark (and Red Cross) is preparing to send doctors and nurses as aid
to the wounded civilians and prisoners of war on both sides.
Furthermore I suppect that Denmark will be sending UN-troops (danish
soldiers under UN command) as controllers or peace-keeping forces when
the battle is over. Such things can only be done by contries that has
not taken part in the battle.
Niels Chr.
Personnaly is dislike this war as much as dislike Saddam Hussein. I
concider the military sanction (dessert storm) a mistake from the
start. Any permanent solution to the problems of drawing borders in the
area including Israel, Palaestine and the Sheik's and Saddam's area
must be based on peace and success for the leaders who create them.
--
|^Niels^Christian^Juul^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^|^Email^:^^[email protected]^^^^^^^^^|
| DIKU (aka Dept.Comp.Sci. Univ.Copenhagen) | Phone : +45 31 39 64 66 ext.405 |
| Universitetsparken 1 * DK 2100 Copenhagen | Direct: +45 31 39 33 11 -- 405 |
|_DENMARK___________________________________|_Fax___:_+45_31_39_02_21_________|
|
| 412.22 | Swedes to equip hospital | TLE::SAVAGE | | Wed Feb 27 1991 10:20 | 19 |
| From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.europe,
clari.news.fighting,clari.tw.health,clari.news.hot.iraq
Subject: Swedes send equipment to Red Cross hospital inside Iran
Date: 25 Feb 91 18:05:08 GMT
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (UPI) -- Sweden said Monday it will send equipment
and medical personnel to a Red Cross hospital in Iran near the Iraqi
border in order to treat gulf war casualties.
"We will improve the capabilities of a regular hospital 120
kilometers (75 miles) from the Iraqi town of Basra," Swedish Chief
Medical Officer Dr. Hans Samnegard said Monday.
The first contingent of Swedes was to leave for Iran Tuesday and a
total of 60 Swedes were ready to staff the hospital, Samnegard said.
"We will have enough equipment to take care of 100 patients for one
month," he added.
"We envisage injured people trying to cross the border into Iran
where we can help them," Samnegard said.
|
| 412.23 | Danish foriegn minister appeals on behalf of Kurds | TLE::SAVAGE | | Mon Apr 08 1991 16:03 | 64 |
| From: [email protected] (JULIAN M. ISHERWOOD)
Newsgroups: clari.news.gov.international,clari.news.fighting,
clari.news.hot.iraq,clari.news.issues.civil_rights,clari.news.europe
Subject: Denmark proposes military action to stop Iraqi attacks on Kurds
Date: 8 Apr 91 11:47:47 GMT
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (UPI) -- Denmark Monday urged the European
Community to press the United Nations to allow military action against
Iraq if it does not stop attacking its Kurdish population, irrespective
of whether such action could re-ignite the Gulf War.
Danish Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, on his way to the
Luxemburg EC summit, told United Press International that Iraqi actions
against hundreds of thousands of fleeing Kurds in the north of Iraq was
"tantamount to genocide" and had to be urgently addressed by the world
community.
"We will urge the other European Community countries to put pressure
on the United Nations so that the Security Council gives the necessary
background for military intervention in order to stop the slaughter of
the Kurds," Ellemann-Jensen said.
European Community leaders, stung by criticism of the EC's role
during the gulf crisis, were to meet Monday at a special summit to
discuss the plight of Kurdish refugees in Iraq and other gulf-related
issues.
The summit was called at France's urging to consider lessons to be
drawn from the crisis, but the flight of Kurds from northern Iraq has
emerged as the centerpiece of the one-day summit.
Several EC countries, including Britain and Germany, have already
sent aid to the Kurds, but many EC leaders seek a common response from
the 12-nation Community.
Ellemann-Jensen said the community should urge the U.N. Security
Council to bring about quick action by passing strict Security Council
resolutions to give the United Nations the possibility of military
action.
"I have seen many say that this is not possible since this is a
question of the internal affairs of a country," Ellemann-Jensen added,
but said this was not the issue in the case of the Kurds.
"If you look at the transgressions now taking place, they are a
threat to the stability of an entire region, and in this case the United
Nations has every right to step in," Ellemann-Jensen said.
"Hitherto the Soviet Union and China have been reluctant to pass
sufficiently strong resolutions, but it is now time to put pressure on
them," Ellemann-Jensen said.
Asked if he did not fear such a move would cause a resumption of the
Gulf War, the foreign minister said that should not be taken into
account.
"I feel that all those sorts of issues must be ignored in the face
of the fact that we cannot just stand by and watch an event that is
tantamount to genocide against the Kurds," Ellemann-Jensen said.
More than 1.6 million Kurds are believed to have fled their homes in
northern Iraq to escape persecution by the Baghdad government since the
Persian Gulf War ended and civil unrest broke out in the war-ravaged
nation.
"If a military solution is necessary, then that is what it will have
to be," he added.
But Ellemann-Jensen said any such action would have to be firmly
anchored within the United Nations.
"Otherwise) many of the principles that were the bearing element of
the Gulf War and should be the bearing element of the New World Order
will have been lost," Ellemann-Jensen said.
The Danish foreign minister said he was "certain" the 12-member
European Community would pass a "massive, coordinated aid (for the
Kurds) in order to supplement international aid which many countries
have already started."
|
| 412.24 | Shoot-out at Iraqi embassy in Stockholm | TLE::SAVAGE | | Thu Apr 11 1991 15:08 | 41 |
| From: [email protected] (Lennart Brjeson @ KTH, Stockholm)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Re: Political riot in Stockholm
Date: 10 Apr 91 13:21:22 GMT
Sender: [email protected] (News Administrator)
Organization: KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, School of Electrical
Engineering
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Vicki L.
Almstrum) writes:
>I saw a brief report of an attack by Kurds on the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm,
>evidently on Sunday night or sometime Monday.
>
>Thinking back to the theories tying Kurds to the Palme assassination, I'm
>imagining this attack has raised some new controversy and strong reactions.
>Any developments? Do they know if there were shots fired from within
>the embassy?
The foreign ministry has condemned both the kurdish attack (diplomats
must be able to work in their embassy) and the iraqi gun fire from the
embassy. 30 shots from an automatic rifle hit neighbouring buildings,
no one was injured. Embassy personnel in Sweden must have licenses to
legally carry weapons, just like any ordinary citizen. Licenses for
automatic rifles are not issued, so the weapon is illegal. The foreign
ministry has delivered a sharp protest to the embassy and demanded that
the weapon is given to the police and that the name of the shooter is
revealed. The ministry will announce on thursday whether any iraqi will
be asked to leave the country or not.
Some ten (?) kurds have been arrested and will be tried for attempted
arson, among other accusations.
!++
! Lennart Boerjeson, System Manager
! School of Electrical Engineering
! Royal Institute of Technology
! S-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
! tel: int+46-8-7907814
! Internet: [email protected]
!--
|