February 13, 2004
THE ARRANGEMENT:
Rumsfeld on Israel (Washington Times, 2/13/04)
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld fielded questions during his recent visit to Munich where he took part in an annual European security conference.He was asked about the Arab-Israeli conflict and Israel's nuclear weapons. One man identified as a Palestinian noted Israel's nuclear weapons and suggested the United States is worried about Iran and North Korea but is not doing anything about Israel's arsenal.
"You know the answer before I give it, I'm sure," Mr. Rumsfeld replied. "The world knows the answer. We take the world like you find it; and Israel is a small state with a small population. It's a democracy and it exists in a neighborhood. Many, over a period of time, [have] opined from time to time that they'd prefer it not be there and they'd like it to be put in the sea. And Israel has opined that it would prefer not to get put in the sea, and as a result, over a period of decades, it has arranged itself so it hasn't been put in the sea."
If George W. Bush could speak that fluidly he'd be president. Posted by Orrin Judd at February 13, 2004 02:32 PM
I think that was Rumsfeld's equivalent of the F*** 'em response that Pat Moynihan said to the Isreali ambassador to the UN in 1974, when the General Assembly passed the resolution equating Zionism with racism.
Ed
Posted by: Ed Driscoll at February 13, 2004 03:48 PMPoetry.
Posted by: Peter B at February 13, 2004 08:13 PMDon't you just love the man!
Posted by: genecis at February 13, 2004 08:41 PMHe should write children's books.
Posted by: Robert Duquette at February 13, 2004 11:21 PM