What is a sovereign nation?

Question

The British Foreign Secretary has said in respect of the execution of Saddam Hussein:

"We have made our position very clear to the Iraqi authorities, but we respect their decision as that of a sovereign nation."

Few would question that Iraq, as a sovereign nation, has the right to do what they have done however much we might disagree with it. But surely Iraq was also a "sovereign nation" when America and Britain decided to invade their country and overthrow Saddam in 2003? How is Iraq a "Sovereign Nation" whose rights we accept now but was not a "Sovereign Nation" three years ago?

Answer 1

A sovereign nation is recognised to have exclusive and full legal control over its own land. It is a legal nation with full authority of its land, politics, laws etc.

Yes - the 2003 invasion was an attack on a sovereign nation and illegal under international law. The forgery of dossiers and yellow cake documents do not change the legality.

Answer 2

Sovereign Nation

Answer 3

Despite being a sovereign nation three years ago maybe it is just that the decisions were not respected. Maybe if your big enough you can decide if,when,where and which conventions you will honour.
Or perhaps you will lose respect and support. And the next time you want backing fewer will listen.

Answer 4

The United States of America was a sovereign nation in 1993 when Saddam sent a team of terrorists here to attack our people. (Never mind the fact that the idiots botched the job!)

Israel, Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were all sovereign nations when Saddam decided to invade them unprovoked.

So what's your point? Are you only going to blame the US for putting an end to the man's violence so that the countries in that region can live in peace? (I would think your respect for "sovereignity" would lead you to thank us.)

Answer 5

A sovereign nation is one that is fully independent and with complete freedom to govern itself.

Answer 6

it is the previous divide and triumph over recurring,works every time.nicely, different than whilst utilized with the aid of George Bush.With him it is triumph over divide,decimate,ruin and set adrift in melancholy. the international and its mom knew what a barbaric chief Saddam became,certainly he became overtly supported and courted with the aid of the U.S. in spite of this. It virtually beggars concept that it would desire to be stated that the Iraqi human beings might have been extra helpful off if the human beings had left him in place.particularly thousands might nevertheless have been alive,thousands extra does no longer be displaced and the liberty Iraqis have been promised has been replaced with the aid of an excellent harsher regime.Iran will now be like Afghanistan.yet nonetheless in step with threat that became Bush's plan.

Answer 7

a soveriegn nation is a nation free from external influences or control

Answer 8

Good point. Well made.