The rift between 'Old Europe' and the US grew an inch or so this morning.. when it was found that Germany and France's offices at the EU had been bugged..
Of course the immediate response was blame the United States.. but indeed, that assumption might be a tad off.. What concievable purpose would the US have in getting word of the inndermost workings of the EU.. of France.. when Chirac and Schroeder have been so outspoken in their stance.. It would be more likely that the EUGate was the work of a Middle Eastern faction.. anxious to determine whether or not Chirac and Co. would falter..
We shall see..
Meanwhile.. the economic benefits of this conflict have already been felt.. world markets bouncing back now the uncertainty is dissipated.. and the war machine is running.. Watch oil prices once this dispute is settled, and Hussein's away.. The re-emergence of Iraqi oil supplies into the market will be something OPEC Ministers will be mooting as we write..
And as the troops in the Kuwaiti desert set themselves up for the order to press on.. likely in the early hours of tomorrow morning.. one of the natural defences of Iraq has already kicked in.. As we discussed some months ago.. this is the time of year for the annual Harmittan.. the desert winds.. when the heat picks up along with the wind.. leaving existance in that area a sandy experience indeed.. This season lasts a couple of weeks.. and while it does move trillions of tons of sand around.. it also makes the use of chemical or biological weapons dangerous not only for those aimed at.. but for those aiming.. The wind's an impartial factor here..
And finally for the moment.. the question has been put to those across this island.. if now war's a certainty.. has the opinion changed about it..
The concensus, while certainly not unanimous.. was no. Those opposed to the action for the most part remain so..
This is going to reflect very badly on Tony, should the weapons he expects to find, or have used against our troops, fail to materialize..
Again..we shall see..