Posted on 01/15/2006 7:17:26 PM PST by StoneGiant
US Must Be Willing To Take Military Action Against Iran: McCain
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"The military option is the last option but cannot be taken off of the table," US Senator John McCain said.
"This is the most grave situation that we have faced since the end of the Cold War, absent the whole war on terror," the Republican lawmaker told CBS television's "Face the Nation" program.
McCain said even the the massive military commitments in Iraq should not allow the United States to rule out responding with force against Iran.
"We are tied up to a great degree. But that does not mean that we don't have military options," McCain said.
He added that such measures should only be resorted to after peaceful methods have been exhausted, including immediate UN action.
"We must go to the UN now for sanctions," McCain said.
"If the Russians and the Chinese, for reasons that would be abominable, do not join us, then we would have to go with the willing."
McCain, one of the most influential members of the US Senate and a leading contender to run for the White House in 2008, said that Washington also should try to counter Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by shoring up opposition democratic movements in Iran.
"The Iranian people are not happy under these mullahs. They have basically repressed and oppressed them. We got to do a lot more in encouraging pro-democracy in Iran," McCain said.
Asked it Iran posed a greater threat to US security than Iraq, McCain said: "I think at this time clearly it does."
"Now, the difference between Iraq and Iran is that Saddam Hussein had us all fooled, including his own generals, about having weapons of mass destruction. I think it's pretty clear in the mind of any expert that Iranians are about to acquire them," he said.
His comments came as Iran vowed to press on with its disputed nuclear program regardless of mounting international pressure.
The EU and the United States are pushing for Iran to be referred to the Security Council over what they fear is a covert weapons drive, leaving Tehran exposed to the prospect of international sanctions.
European, American, Chinese and Russian officials are due to hold talks on the crisis in London on Monday, when they are expected to set a date for an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board of governors.
Sorry John, the situation in Iran will be over by the time the presidential race in '08 heats up. Nice try.
it won't work, its unsustainable. what kind of policy is this - iran is a huge threat but we cannot bomb them, so we cut off all their oil exports and drive the world price to $100+ and collapse the western economies?
in the meantime, China and Russia will continue to support iran.
Al Sadr's crew and they are a long time patron of Hizbollah
"Al Sadr's crew and they are a long time patron of Hizbollah"
Thanks you ..Hizbollah - not Hamas. Hamas is Syrian backed, I think.
Edit: Looks like Isreali Securty Forces thinks Iran funds Hamas too
"The Hamas has an extensive network of financial sources, operating within the framework of Dawa activity, with a total value of tens of millions of dollars a year.
1. Gulf States - A considerable proportion of the aforementioned funds originate from various sources in the Gulf States (The Gulf Cooperation Council States). Most of the funding is from Saudi Arabian sources, with a total value of $12 million a year.
2. Iran - Its contribution is estimated at $3 million a year."
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2003/7/The%20Financial%20Sources%20of%20the%20Hamas%20Terror%20Organiza
On the oil price issue, I've got a great solution. The US announces an "ocean use and transit tax" to pay for global efforts to end terrorism and nuclear proliferation. $50 a barrel to move it by sea anywhere, payable to the US Treasury. Any oil not paid up will be impounded.
Like cartels are only for OPEC...
Funds the VRWC, naturally. Jeez.
Go away troll #2
bttt
John McCain is a RINO, I say again John McCain is a RINO. And any tough talk is purely political. He will never, I say NEVER be the GOP nominee. The Great Oz Has Spoken
With a nic and opinions like that, you're next; troll.
Oh yes and LEARN HOW TO SPELL, or at least use spell checker, you stupid troll. ;^)
Its a full moon tonight
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