News Flash: Munich II Proposed

Late news tonight (Feb. 20, 2022) indicated that French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed a summit meeting between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a last ditch effort to avoid war between Russia and Ukraine. President Biden has agreed in principle to this summit.

Some thoughts about this proposed summit:

1. Will Ukraine be at this summit? We all remember Munich I held in September 1938. At this ignominious conference, the British and French sold out the only democracy in Eastern Europe, Czechoslovakia, to Nazi Germany. Hitler cynically told the western powers that the Sudetenland was his last territorial demand in Europe. Two weeks later (Oct. 1938), the Nazis started making demands on Poland, which ultimately led to World War II (Sep. 1, 1939). It is noteworthy that Czechoslovakia was not permitted to attend this meeting. Czech diplomats were sequestered in a hotel and after the meeting was concluded were informed that their country was subject to immediate dismemberment. British Prime Minister Chamberlain proclaimed "peace in our time" What a disgrace to the democracies. There can be no repetition of this disaster.

2. Is this proposed summit just a ploy by French President Macron to get publicity and support in his efforts to be re-elected? President Macron's presidency is notable for its lack of achievement. He'd obviously love for a summit in Paris where he would presumably be presiding. The situation in Europe today is too dangerous to be used as a publicity maneuver for Macron's electoral campaign.

3. What can Biden and Putin discuss or negotiate? Ukraine is an independent nation. It is a member of the United Nations, has internationally recognized borders and is a fully sovereign nation. It is not a dependency or a colony of Russia. Accordingly, what is to be discussed? A division of Europe with spheres of influence? Restoration of the Warsaw Pact and Comecon? Turn the clock back to the Cold War? Putin has chosen China (PRC) as his partner. Is he looking for a way out? Does he realize PRC is waiting for a war between the two Guei Lao so it can pick up the pieces? Putin's problem is his, not America's and not Europe's.

4. If any meeting does occur, meet in Munich, not Paris. Munich would be the best venue as it would put the onus on Biden and the West to remember the disaster that occurred there in 1938. No repetition is acceptable.

5. Finally, where is the great United Nations (UN)? The prestige of that bankrupt organization couldn't be lower. Votes in the In-Security Council reveal the impotence of the UN. Just imagine if some problem occurred in the Middle East. How busy would the UN be? Where is the UN Secretary General as Europe stands on the precipice war? Does anyone even know the Secretary General's name? The UN is finished.

All civilized people want peace and hope for peace. Regrettably, history shows that our hopes are not always fulfilled. Peace requires strength. Misunderstanding and lack of clarity lead to conflict. The NATO alliance must step up and show that it stands for something.

Garry S. Sklar

Las Vegas, NV

February 20, 2022