Loose Lips IV - - Glaspie.

This is coolbert:

The topic remains the diplomatic gaffe, the misstatement by an official that inadvertently leads to war.

At the time [1990] and even now, it is has been suggested that the ill thought out but relatively unremarkable comments and remarks of the American Ambassador to Iraq, April Glaspie - - in routine conversation with Saddam Hussein - - were in part responsible for the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait [1990]!

"April Catherine Glaspie . . . an American diplomat, best-known for her role in the events leading up to the Persian Gulf War of 1991."

An approval - - tacit - - reasonably inferred by Hussein - - a go-ahead from U.S. authorities - - due to the ill-considered and regrettable choice of words, "spur of the moment"?

An inference on the part of Hussein totally without merit - - in error, with terrible consequences that have not passed even with the passage of almost two decades!

Various transcripts and translations of the conversation between Glaspie and Hussein exist! Translation is important here? Glaspie is an Arabic linguist and scholar, the diplomatic dialog carried out in Arabic?

[Transcript # 1]: "We have no opinion on your Arab-Arab conflicts, such as your dispute with Kuwait . . . that the Kuwait issue is not associated with America."

[Transcript # 2]: “But we have no opinion on the Arab-Arab conflicts, like your border disagreement with Kuwait . . . The instruction we had during this period was that we should express no opinion on this issue and that the issue is not associated with America . . . We hope you can solve this problem using any suitable methods . . . All that we hope is that these issues are solved quickly."

Those Arab-Arab conflicts existing between Kuwait and Iraq at the time were to include:

1. Disputed border area called the "neutral zone". Internationally disputed territory between Saudi, Kuwait, and Iraq. A diamond-shaped plot of land in the desert contested by all three Arab [Arab-Arab] nations, thought to be rich in oil deposits. A legacy of the Ottoman Empire and the British post-World War One Mandate! A dispute NEVER properly resolved!

2. A $70 billion debt owed Kuwait by Iraq. A debt incurred from the 1980's. A debt that the Iraqi desired re-negotiated. A re-negotiation that was denied by the Kuwaiti.

Glaspie refers to solving the "problems using 'suitable methods' . . . 'solved quickly.'" - - resolution being achieved WITHOUT THE USE OF FORCE - - BY DIPLOMATIC MEANS - - NORMAL AND ORDINARY NEGOTIATIONS - - NOT MILITARY FORCE!!!

Saddam fully did realize that his invasion of Kuwait would incur the wrath of Washington - - the comments of Glaspie not warranting the response that occurred? Surely this was so? The inference allegedly made by Saddam was not and would not have been reasonable, under any circumstances?

And from the comments of the British intelligence officer Hughes-Wilson:

"Unpalatable as it may be to Western liberals, feminists or intellectuals, to send a female ambassador to an Arab country is always a calculated risk. In a culture where only men control power and evens, and "strong" men are much praised, female plenipotentiaries are always at a disadvantage unless they themselves can demonstrate that they are unusually powerful figures or are capable of wielding power forcefully."

You the westerner, when you send a woman ambassador to an Arab nation, are sending the wrong message! You are not taking the Arab seriously and are actually insulting him, whether you intend to or not, whether you realize it or not!!

The inferences made by Hussein, if indeed they were made, were incorrect to be sure, but nonetheless, were and are seen as being a catalyst that led to the First Gulf War, with all the subsequent events and consequences that have transpired since!

coolbert.