Posted on 01/20/2005 1:01:34 PM PST by anotherview
Jan. 20, 2005 22:25
Cheney voices concern that Israel may attack Iran
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Vice President Dick Cheney voiced concern Thursday that Israel may decide to act first against Iran to eliminate the possibility of a nuclear threat.
"If, in fact, the Israelis became convinced the Iranians had significant nuclear capability, given the fact that Iran has a stated policy that their objective is the destruction of Israel, the Israelis might well decide to act first, and let the rest of the world worry about cleaning up the diplomatic mess afterwards," Cheney said in an interview aired on MSNBC on the day that George W. Bush was sworn into office for his second term as president.
"You look around the world at potential trouble spots, Iran is right at the top of the list," Cheney said
A diplomatic shot across the Iranian's bow.
"We don't know how long we can hold back the Israelis, so consider your options."
ping
I think that is the ideal solution. The arabs/persians already hate the Israelis, so whats the harm.
There have been several quotes from Iranian officials who have said they will not stand by and wait for a first strike from Israel. This is one of those situations where if you're going to talk about it publicly, you better be prepared in case some Iranian official decides not to wait and see if your serious or not.
Either that or Cheney just threw Israel under the bus...
He said this on Imus show this morning. Nobody, but nobody, lays the political smack down like Cheney.
Yeah, that's what I was thinking. "Sure, let Israel absorb the pre-emptive strike..."
Coming from the vice president, who has been known to make the rounds in that region when war is imminent, I don't think we can underestimate the gravity of that statement.
See post 7. Ditto.
Just as long as our guys don't shoot down the IAF over Iraq or Saudi Arabia,....
Damn! I want us to do it. I want 100 MOABs dropped in all their glorious beauty. Isreal can bomb after we do just to make their point.
this could actually be the "go signal" - this gives us deniability.
Add to the mix Bush's inauguration speech where he expressed US support for all people striving for freedom everywhere, (read dissidents and students against the mullahs in Iran)......
I can imagine that the mullahs skivies are in a bit of a knot.....they have been playing with fire aiding the insurgents in Iraq...and I believe that Bush will not let it go on much longer without acting.
Near-future statement from Cheney - "Now why did those Iranians have to turn on those SAM radars? Since those radars could target USAF aircraft over Iraq, we had no choice but to turn them off remotely with HARMs. It just so happened that the IAF was also in the area and benefited from this, but that's one of those flying deals."
Israel has substantial military flexibility against a pre-emptive Iranian attack...especially with American ground forces bracketing Iran on the West and in the East (i.e. in Iraq and Afghanistan).
So there is no doubt that VP Cheney just raised the pucker factor in Tehran today.
...to which I say: OUTSTANDING!
IIRC, Iranian Officials have already declared that one of the uses to which they hope to put their nukes would be the destruction of Israel.
IAF = Israeli Air Force. Sorry about not being more clear.
Did everyone hear that? It was a very clear shot across the bow of Iran. That was loud and clear.
I WISH that Israel would act preemptively, to take care of Iran. Someone should.
Probably has something to do with the fact that the US sold Israel a couple of thousand bunker busting smart bombs barely three months ago. I doubt they are needed to stop Palestinian suicide bombers.
I hope y'all are right.
Can you at least wait till the end of the INAGURATION... ?
Wink, wink,...nudge, nudge,... say no more, say no more
>>Cheney just raised the pucker factor>>
LOL!!! I am going to steal that term.
That's about the size of it.
"given the fact that Iran has a stated policy that their objective is the destruction of Israel,"
I'd say that covers any objections, good on Cheney.
If the Israelis do attack Iran it will be a very short war (remember when they were attacked in the six day war). I am sure they know exactly where the Iranians Nuclear locations are and they won't be shy in destroying them. It should also be noted that we are pledged to support Israel not a good position for Iran.
I wonder how the Israelis woould plan such an attack.
When attacking the reactor in osirak, or what it was called, they just had to fly over Jordan for a hit a run
Now they would have to fly over Jordan and Iraq. I can imagine Johnny Iraqi would kick up serious shit about it.
What are Israelis capabilites for longer range missions anyone???
ROFL!
Such a statement is a natural follow-up to so much of what was said, however tacitly, in the President's inaugural address.
They will be turbanated.
If the Israelis do attack Iran it will be a very short war (remember when they were attacked in the six day war). I am sure they know exactly where the Iranians Nuclear locations are and they won't be shy in destroying them. It should also be noted that we are pledged to support Israel not a good position for Iran.
Actually a very clever statement by Cheney. He never says there would be consequences for such an Israeli act, just a "diplomatic mess". Lol! A clear warning to the euro-appeasers to get off the fence and take a hard line.
Sorry, I duped this reply.
>>Cheney just raised the pucker factor>>
LOL!!! I am going to steal that term.
The leaders over there have puckered so tight by now when they break wind only the dogs can hear it.
One nuke in Tel Aviv would be the end of the state of Israel.
Seems like a warning to Iran. We won't hold Israel back from hitting you, so get rid of your nukes.
Cool!
Deja vu?
Israel prevented atomic disaster in 1981
Today on Ivry's [Ambassador to US in 91, head of IAF in 81] embassy office wall there is a large black-and-white photograph taken by satellite 10 years after the raid, at the time of the Gulf War. It shows the wreckage of the huge reactor complex, which is still surrounded by a high, thick wall that was supposed to protect it. Trees are growing where the reactor dome had been.
The picture has this handwritten inscription. ``For Gen. David Ivry, with thanks and appreciation for the outstanding job he did on the Iraqi nuclear program in 1981--which made our job much easier in Desert Storm." The author of the inscription signed it: ``Dick Cheney, Sec. of Defense 1989-93."
The IAF bombed the PLO when they were in Tunis, Tunisia. They have F-15Cs (the Israelis adapted them to the strike role, though they are rarely used for that), F-15Is (essentially the same as the F-15E Strike Eagle), F-16s of various blocks (up to and through Block 50/52), and 707 tanker aircraft, so they're well-suited for long-range strikes.
I'm afraid that what is really going to happen is similar to Iraq. First a lot of useless U.N bickering about whether it's right or not. lot's of useless U.N. resolutions respectfully demanding they disarm, and just on the brink of full scale nuclear warfare, either us or the Isreali's will have to take action. I'm afraid that is really what may happen, not to deny that I would just love to wake up one morning, check Freep, and see that Iran is no longer even close to being a threat to anyone.
Shi'ite happens!
That would be Boeing 707 tanker aircraft, not 707 planes :-)
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