Weren't France and Russia right about war in Iraq being unnecessary?

Question

El Penguino: You can try to impugn their motives, but weren't they nevertheless in the right?

Answer 1

of course they were, but it's popular and easy to hate on france and russia, so of course the ignorant masses do.

Answer 2

Honestly, that is for future generations to decide.

Certainly, with the mission still incomplete and enemies still doing their best to compromise the legitimacy of the new government, it is easy to critizice the current state. In five years, if the Iraqi government is strong and the American soldiers are home with their families, attitudes will certainly change.

Keep in mind also that France and Russia's opposition did not necessarily come from a moral or political highground. Both nations had an enormous financial stake in Saddam Hussein's regime. Both traded military and nuclear technologies in return for oil deals that subverted UN sanctions.

Following the 1991 Gulf War, U.S. and British pilots came under repeated fire while enforcing the "No-Fly Zone." Meanwhile, Saddam Hussein strengthened his military infrastructure (Russian, Chinese and French contracts), built a network of bunkers that confounded UN compliance inspectors (German contracts) and constructed an advanced missle-defense network (Chinese contracts).

Ironically, if nations like France, Russia, China and Germany had not supported Hussein, perhaps the UN sanctions would have taken hold and forced Iraq to adopt reforms. By supporting Saddam Hussein's defiance, France and Russia may very well have played a role in necessitating the very war they criticize.

Answer 3

The triumvirate of France, Germany and Russia were opposed to US intervention in Iraq because they all had extensive business dealings, including selling dual use technology to Iraq, much of which never was accounted for after the defeat of Saddam.

There was an illegal oil pipeline funneling embargoed oil to Syria who sold it to France and Russia. Much of the Food-For-Oil money went to Syrian companies for medical and school supplies imported from French, Belgian and German companies; not surprisingly, these items were not found in Iraq after the liberation.

The same countries a mere 18 months ago wanted the UN to step forward and dismantle Iran's uranium enrichment program. Now they have contracts to build nuclear power plants in Iran and are all against the idea.

France and Russia don't care about about long term, peace, they care about short term MONEY.

Answer 4

Only history will determine the answer to that.

It's interesting to note, however, that both of these countries were benefiting from Saddam's oil for food scandals.

Furthermore:

Russia presently is so screwed up with its own internal problems that they wouldn't know a terrorist from Mother Theresa.

In WWII, France, on the other hand, was still debating whether or not Hitler was a serious threat to Europe - right up until the Nazis came marching into Paris.

The one thing that is for sure is that something had to change, and change drastically, before the Middle East imploded on it's own - which probably wouldn't have been a bad thing except their murder and maiming of innocent people kept spilling out into other countries.

Answer 5

Sure - from their point of view; after all, their commercial contracts (which were many) went down the tubes after the war started and, going forward, the Iraqis may not look too favorably upon French and Russian companies desiring to resume commercial ties as they are seen to have been too close to Saddam Hussein's regime.

The French and Russians have consistently put commerce ahead of strategic issues (if you consider WMD a strategic issue, that is) when it comes to Iraq. In the case of Iran, however, the French have parted company with the Russians and are making, for them, a sincere effort to prevent Iraq developing nuclear weapons. As this time, however, success does not look likely.

Answer 6

Saddams payroll, my foot, he was socking away millions for himself and family. I think our people are trying to forget that Bush lied to get us into a conflict with Iran. Oil, Power and coporate greed. I don't think France and Russia's leaders were wrong..smarter than Tony Blair, that's for sure.
Bush will cosy up anyway now that he's wanting to start one with Iran.
He really hoped that Iran would jump into the Israel-Lebanon fight and give him a reason then. Most of the world is getting wise to Bush. We'll just have wait for his next grand scheme. And, freedom fries are no more..White House dining room went back to French Fries a few months ago. We're so fickle.

Answer 7

Both France and Russia were cheating big time on the UN Oil For Food program with Iraq. They were getting oil from Saddam and funding his power. That allowed his two sons to rape and kill women at will. It allowed them to force the soccer team to kick cement soccer balls as a penalty for losing a game. It allowed him and them to squirrel away billions of dollars of oil money that rightly belonged to the poor and starving people of Iraq. What part of them being "right" about the war were you referring to?

Answer 8

Of course they were right.I guess they werent too happy with the war, since, shockingly since saddam was so evil his sanctions were going to be lifted, before all the us blustering.Iraqs oil would have been sold to france, russia and china, and not the us

Answer 9

No.

I don't believe that Russia and France have earned much credibility regarding anything, so their opinion and a Metrocard will get them on the subway, nothing more.

Answer 10

No. They said that because it was in their best interest to do so.
Both France and Russia had secret deals with Saddam Hussein to buy oil and to circumvent the oil embargo.

Answer 11

France and Russia were absolutely incorrect in their statements. They along with the UN were on Saddam's payroll. They were paid to say that.