Thread: Bush threatens Iran with military action

Bush threatens Iran with military action

By Colin Brown, Deputy Political Editor
Tuesday, 17 June 2008

George Bush has warned Iran that military action is still "on the table" if it fails to respond to tightening diplomatic pressure to abandon its nuclear weapons programme.


The EU is planning to announce the freezing of all overseas assets of the main bank in Iran. Sanctions are also to be tightened on gas and oil exports by Iran.

But the US President's remarks on the last leg of his "farewell tour" of Europe raised fears at Westminster that Mr Bush is determined to take action against Iran before he leaves office in January if the sanctions fail to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Standing alongside the President after more than an hour of talks in Downing Street, Gordon Brown surprised EU council officials by announcing that the EU intends to intensify its sanctions on Iran, including freezing the billions of euros in overseas assets of the Melli Bank of Iran.

But Mr Bush left no doubt that the US is holding military action in reserve. Thanking Mr Brown for keeping together the European alliance "so that we can solve this problem diplomatically", Mr Bush said: "That is my first choice. The Iranians must understand that all options are on the table, however."

The EU foreign policy chief Xavier Solana delivered a more generous offer to the Iranian regime at the weekend and is now awaiting its reply. It includes help in developing civil nuclear power and extending economic assistance if Iran stops enriching uranium to produce weapons-grade plutonium. Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, promised to "carefully study the package".

EU council officials said tougher sanctions were not on the agenda when Mr Solana briefed his officials but Downing Street insisted sanctions were being prepared. It is likely they will be implemented next week.

Mr Brown said: "Our message to the Iranian people is you do not have to choose the path of confrontation. The latest round of talks with the Iranians took place over the weekend. We put our enhanced offer on the table including political and economic partnership including nuclear technology for civilian use.

"We await the Iranian response and will do everything to maintain the dialogue but we are also clear that if Iran continues to ignore UN resolutions and our offer of partnership, we have no choice but to intensify sanctions."

A spokesman for the Stop the War Coalition, which protested against Mr Bush's arrival at Downing Street on Sunday, said: "Bush has been travelling round Europe trying to secure support for sanctions and a possible future attack on Iran."

Mr Brown also announced that Britain is sending more troops to Afghanistan as the bodies of five soldiers killed in action last week were brought home. About 400 support staff are being withdrawn, but 630 more troops are being flown out.

Mr Brown is due to announce troop withdrawals from Basra before the summer recess of Parliament at the end of next month.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 48488.html

Man, that nut is going to get us in another war !!! January, 2009 can't get here fast enough.

January, 2009 can't get here fast enough

I 'd like to see Pres. Obama waking up in January to this headline; "Ahmadinejad Announces Test of Nuclear Device"

What do you think would happen?

Originally Posted by Captainron

January, 2009 can't get here fast enough

I 'd like to see Pres. Obama waking up in January to this headline; "Ahmadinejad Announces Test of Nuclear Device"

What do you think would happen?

Interesting question. I dont think he'd launch us into another war - however I'd beg to differ with McCain!

But the US President's remarks on the last leg of his "farewell tour" of Europe raised fears at Westminster that Mr Bush is determined to take action against Iran before he leaves office in January if the sanctions fail to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Well, what should we do then? Are we willing to do nothing and let Iran have nuclear weapons?

If so, do you suppose they might use them? If so, do you think they would use them on Israel? If so, do you think Europe and the U.S. might get involved? If so, do you think Russia would get involved? If so, do you suppose that we could end up with WWIII?

So what should we do, sit back and wait until the situation builds itself into that?

Want to be in a war with Russia?

Those are the questions we have to ask ourselves if we are going to complain that we are taking proactive steps to avoid having Iran's president have nuclear weapons.

It's fine to complain, but what's the alternative?

It's easy to blame President Bush, but we need to understand what the consequences could and very likely might be if we do not take a strong stand regarding Iran and nuclear weapons.

Not EVERYTHING can be blamed on President Bush and then walked away from.

What's the alternative?

Maybe Obama has one. I think it's called, "be nice and try to understand these people". I wonder how long that would last.

Originally Posted by LegalUSCitizen

But the US President's remarks on the last leg of his "farewell tour" of Europe raised fears at Westminster that Mr Bush is determined to take action against Iran before he leaves office in January if the sanctions fail to force Tehran to abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Well, what should we do then? Are we willing to do nothing and let Iran have nuclear weapons?

If so, do you suppose they might use them? If so, do you think they would use them on Israel? If so, do you think Europe and the U.S. might get involved? If so, do you think Russia would get involved? If so, do you suppose that we could end up with WWIII?

So what should we do, sit back and wait until the situation builds itself into that?

Want to be in a war with Russia?

Those are the questions we have to ask ourselves if we are going to complain that we are taking proactive steps to avoid having Iran's president have nuclear weapons.

It's fine to complain, but what's the alternative?

It's easy to blame President Bush, but we need to understand what the consequences could and very likely might be if we do not take a strong stand regarding Iran and nuclear weapons.

Not EVERYTHING can be blamed on President Bush and then walked away from.

What's the alternative?

Maybe Obama has one. I think it's called, "be nice and try to understand these people". I wonder how long that would last.

I have to agree with you on this one. Achmajinidad (sp?) is a nut and reminds me of satan himself everytime I see him. He is very arrogant and hates us. I don't underestimate the danger of this dictator for a minute.

I can't believe you people are falling for the same kind of propaganda that led us into the war with Iraq. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

I can't believe you people are falling for the same kind of propaganda that led us into the war with Iraq. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

Chloe, I wish you would elaborate on exactly what you mean. I guess you don't think that Iran is a threat or maybe you think this is some sort of a trick to get us further into war?

When and if you get a chance I'd be interested in knowing what you mean.

Originally Posted by LegalUSCitizen

I can't believe you people are falling for the same kind of propaganda that led us into the war with Iraq. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

Chloe, I wish you would elaborate on exactly what you mean. I guess you don't think that Iran is a threat or maybe you think this is some sort of a trick to get us further into war?

When and if you get a chance I'd be interested in knowing what you mean.

Same here. I always wonder what the critics would do if THEY were President....they never seem to have an answer.

I'm mad as hell for some of things Bush has done, but I DONT blame him for everything wrong in the world. For instance, what would you have done after the attacks on 9-11?? Send some wimpy missle over there like Clinton did? Totally ineffective. Americans have a short memory. I think of 9-11 everyday and the ripple effect I've seen from it my country. I hate the bastards who did this to us-and every other red-blooded American should too.

For the most part, we are peacekeepers. We try first to reason with dictators. Thier egos seem to know no bounds, so they have to be dealt with accordingly. No one wants war, not even the President-but when Nukes and our safety are involved, whats the alternative? Iran is run by a madman.

Don't let your hatred of Bush get in the way of logic. There is little to no reasoning with these dictators, IMHO. Iran has thumbed it's nose at us time and again.

Achmajinidad is a nut job just like Sadam was, only I don't believe he was the threat than this Islamo-Facist is. The war in Iraq was probably not necessary, but confronting Iran will be. Obama is not capable (and neither is Bush) of delivering the leadership that's going to be needed with confronting Iran. He's a wimp and Bush is an idiot. We're going to need someone like Ike to get us through this one. I don't see anyone with that kind of capability.