Why Bush Phoned Chinese, French, Russian Leaders?

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, September 10, 2002

Why Bush Phoned Chinese, French, Russian Leaders?

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Under pressure from world opinion opposing military attacks against Iraq and honest admonitions from home and abroad, the Bush administration slightly pulled in its horns in pushing recklessly its unilateral policies.

September 6, George W. Bush phoned leaders of Russia, France and China, apparently hoping to rally support from the three UN Security Council permanent members for his actions for a "regime change" in Iraq.

Bush was reportedly given a cold shoulder by Vladimir Putin, who said the US's action, nevertheless, was badly grounded. Analysts said it is impossible for Russia not to consider the payment of huge debts Baghdad had owed to it, which may be affected by the planned war. While China and France have long been holding a rather reserved attitude toward the Iraq issue. Then why the ever pretentious Bush administration suddenly played such a diplomatic trick?

Bush's unilateral policies after taking office was found intolerable even by traditional diplomat Henry A Kissinger. In his famous book "Does America Need a Foreign Policy?" written in 2001, Kissinger expressed his opinion that a foreign policy is still necessary even for the world only super power. But Bush's unilateral actions have invited many criticisms and opposition during past two years, with the latest one being fierce attacks from government representatives and those of non-governmental organizations on the US government's policy against the earth environment at the Earth Summit, or the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

It must be pointed out Bush's headstrong behavior has become headaches to many of US allies. The best example is British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who believes Bush paid little attention to his methods over many issues. As both regard Saddam as a "grave menace", Blair and Bush show no big odds over the Iraq question. But Blair seems obviously clearer by advising the US to set a deadline for Iraq through the UN, and strike if Saddam refuses to surrender. For Blair knows by heart no war should be fought without a solid moral ground and regardless of mainstream public opinion of the whole world.

Bush's telephones are also a result of domestic politics. The midterm election coming on November is the number one consideration of his cohort and the Iraq issue must help the republicans to win instead of the contrary. Facing attacks from the Democratic Party as well as a depressed economy, how would Bush make the fullest use of Iraq to win the election? As a result, Bush put off the issue until September and at the same time discussed it with other members of the Security Council. At home Bush went to the Capital Hill to convince those deputies and abroad he went through the UN, so as to make his people more prepared and therefore gather greater support at home.

Bush's reckless, pretentious and selfish unilateral policy not only gave headaches to his allies, but also threatened the unity between his country and Europe. Under huge pressure from both home and abroad, Bush has to restrain a little on the Iraq issue. But the situation is still not optimistic, for we can see the Bush administration is forcing his logic on his own people as well as the rest of the world, only in a way seemingly more "proper" and "cleverer".

By PD Online Staff Member Li Heng

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