"This mass destructive weapons were sold to Iraqi government by the United States. And Mr. Rumsfeld has been one of the man responsible for this sale, for this bargain, for this market"
- Jacques Verges
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The quote credited to Jacques Verges seems a review of the involvement of the United States, and specifically Donald Rumsfeld, in the sale of weapons to Iraq. This declaration needs contextual understanding, particularly of the historic and geopolitical dynamics of the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq War. At that time, Iraq, under the guideline of Saddam Hussein, was participated in a drawn-out and brutal dispute with Iran. The geopolitical environment of the Cold War era often led countries to participate in complex relationships and deals, consisting of arms sales, to affect the results of local disputes and to stabilize power dynamics.
Verges refers to "mass destructive weapons," which might indicate a broad category that potentially includes chemical, biological, or conventional arms. The sale or provision of such weapons would be extremely questionable given their potential for mass casualties and long-lasting ecological and human harm. The U.S. involvement in selling weapons to Iraq throughout this period is a documented aspect of its foreign policy, aimed at neutralizing Iranian influence after the 1979 revolution changed Iran from an ally into a viewed adversary.
Donald Rumsfeld, an essential political figure, specifically noted for his function as Secretary of Defense under President George W. Bush throughout the Iraq War, had met Saddam Hussein in the 1980s as a special envoy. This historic connection ties Rumsfeld to vital decisions and dealings throughout an unstable duration, although direct duty for weapons sales is subjected to further scrutiny and analysis.
Verges' option of words--"accountable for this sale, for this deal, for this market"-- hints at a more comprehensive systemic review, recommending a commodification of military power and possibly implicit ethical judgments about the ethics of such transactions. The focus on Rumsfeld may reflect his subsequent prominence and the symbolic weight of his earlier actions during essential years when the foundations for future disputes in the region were laid.
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