Iran
Posted : September 21, 2004 at 3:39 pm [America/Los_Angeles]
Bush Aides Divided on Confronting Iran Over A-Bomb
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 - At a time when the violent insurgency in Iraq is vexing the Bush administration and stirring worries among Americans, events may be propelling the United States into yet another confrontation, this time with Iran. The issues have an almost eerie familiarity, evoking the warnings and threats that led to the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein, and stirring an equally passionate debate.
Like Iraq in its final years under Saddam Hussein, Iran is believed by experts to be on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb. In Iraq, that proved to be untrue, though this time the consensus is much stronger among Western experts.
In addition, as with Iraq, administration officials have said recently that Iran is supporting insurgencies and terrorism in other countries. Recently, top administration officials have accused the
Tehran government of backing the rebels in Iraq, something that officials fear could increase if Iran is pressed too hard on its nuclear program.
…
Still, even Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, the leading advocate of diplomacy in Mr. Bush’s inner circle, cites a gathering threat from Iran.“Diplomacy does not mean failure to look in the lion’s mouth,” Mr. Powell said in a recent interview. “Diplomacy doesn’t mean pretending something isn’t there when it’s there. The Iranians have a nuclear weapons program, and I keep telling everybody it is the responsibility of the international community to apply all the pressure we can.”
…
“I’m frankly very pessimistic about the future,” said Patrick Clawson, deputy director of the Washington Institute for Near Eastern Policy. “We have to offer a carrot as well as brandishing a stick. But this administration is too busy and they don’t want to think about it. I don’t think very much is going to happen until after the American election.”
What do you say President Bush? Let’s go get ‘em. Heck, this one is a no-brainer. You don’t need 23 reasons to convince the country and the world that “Iran is an imminent threat”. Let’s send some more of our brave soldiers to get Iran to shape up.
Ofcourse, I know you’re not going to do any such thing. Cause you really can’t. Thanks to your leadership, we’ve a Mess-o-potamia not to mention Afghanistan to deal with first. Never mind that Iraq never had WMDs or never posed an imminent threat or had operational ties with Al Qaeda. Do you see why some of us felt you were being a little too impetuous back in 2002?
- Anand
Category: United (or not) State of American Politics 2004