Merkel rules out military option for dealing with Iran

Expatica ^ | Sept 06 | staff

[shrinkermd]

4 September 2006

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel has underlined there can be "no military option" for dealing with Iran's nuclear programme, a spokesman said Monday.

"The door for negotiations remains open," said chief German government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm.

Wilhelm added: "The chancellor has expressed the view that there is no military option."

US President George W. Bush has repeatedly said he does not rule out any option for dealing with Iran's nuclear programme, which is widely believed to be aimed at building nuclear weapons.

Iran rejects this and says its uranium enrichment is for peaceful purposes. Tehran refused to comply

with a United Nations directive that it cease uranium enrichment by August 31.

[lmr]

Not that I support this notion, but Europe and the Liberals really believe that if the United States can recognize the government of Iran and guarantee that the U.S. won't attack, then Iran will give up it's nuclear ambitions.

This whole line of thinking is flawed. For several reasons, why would we want to recognize a government which took 66 hostages at our embassy in 1979 and has supported terrorist groups that have attacked us since then? It becomes a hell of alot more complicated when you figure in Israel. We could not support a regime that wished to destroy one of our allies.

Besides, The current Iranian regime will never give up terrorism. They would smile at us and shake our hand, but use the other hand to strike us.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree with regard to Europe's view of this. I just can't figure out how they would could possibly expect it to turn out better than the results of their initial reactions to Hitler.

[Lazamataz]

Holy toads! Last time through, Chamberlain was BRITISH!

[rightwingcrazy]

Is "surrender" considered a military option?

[Vicomte13]

"As a result of precisely such things, we will end up having to use force or facing a nuclear armed radical islamic nation."

We will end up facing a nuclear-armed radical Islamist nation, or rather, two: Iran and Pakistan.

And then it will be a race to see if our missile defense really can be brought up to snuff, or if MAD will contain them. MAD does contain the CURRENT Pakistani government, but if (when) Musharraf falls and the radicals take over, will they still be contained?

Israel doesn't have the range or strength to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Only the US can do that. And the big question in the US is not whether Iran will be disarmed, but whether or not the American people will leave the President's party in control of either house of Congress.

Iran is going to get the bomb.
And we'll just have to find out if MAD works with the mullahs.
Probably it will.
But we'll just have to hope.

[Red6]

"So.... when diplomacy fails..... then what?" You ask.

Well of course, blame Bush./sarc

Unfortunately we are resigning ourselves to this reality at this point. The tempo of missile defense development programs in Europe is again no coincidence. Sad isn't it? Reactive, passive, defensive; the West with all it's might will get bullied around by a tin pot regime run by Mullah's that has publicly expressed the desire to kill us all. Yet despite speeches, even 'actions' to this affect, gross violations of mandates, and inspections, nothing will happen. Do you think it's mere coincidence that much of Europe is in decline when they think and act like this? Much of Europe is depleted and in decay. They are literally waiting to die, to fade away as societies, cultures, states. There are still some with some life and fight left, but they are the minority within Europe.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

" If it brings stability to Iraq, and I hope it does, "

Iran is already bringing instability in Iraq, they have been bombing the Kurdish in the North, but ? how much do we hear about that from the MSM ?
Also, the most of the terrorist are bought and paid for by Iran, and is getting sympathetic treasonous support by groups like D.N.C. MSM. so on and so on.

[Miles the Slasher]

"Why bother with these people?"

Exactly. If they behave without spine when Iran doesn't have the bomb, how much more weak-kneed will they behave once it does and Europe eventually falls within range of Iranian nuclear missiles?

Europe is a becoming a lost cause. If they cannot see their own self-interest in this matter, they are indeed hopeless.

[Williams]

Let's apply some logic. What is the behavior for which she is ruling out a military option? A fanatical country developing a nuclear weapon which is designed to kill millions. How would anything short of a military threat deter such a plan?

[gonzo]

"...German Chancellor Angela Merkel has underlined there can be "no military option" for dealing with Iran's nuclear programme..."

The German irony is deafening on this one. There WILL be a military solution soon, in spite of any and all euroweenie words to the contrary.

The biggest problem that I see is controlling Frances' nuclear weapons and electrical-generation (nuclear) systems. France is soaked with these islamofacist sewer rats, and there are probably many of them in the Military and Business.

Maybe the islomaniacs will just shut down France when the grownups take action, but I think not...................FRegards

[lowbridge]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has underlined there can be "no military option" for dealing with Iran's nuclear programme, a spokesman said Monday.

Bomb Dresden again. See if that will change thier minds.

[lowbridge]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has underlined there can be "no military option" for dealing with Iran's nuclear programme, a spokesman said Monday.

Bomb Dresden again. See if that will change their minds.

[Enchante]

The usual Euro-twit idiocy - and we were told Merkel was supposed to be a cut above the other socialist nanny-state ninnies....... not that there's really any chance of "negotiating" Iran out of nukes, but how on earth do these fools think Iran is supposed to concede everything they want when they have no leverage?

[OldPossum]

If the Europeans that have the (nuclear) goods won't fight to defeat the Islamic Fascists and the power of the United States and its allies (and only Israel and Great Britain come to mind) is insufficient to stop the proliferation of nuclear weaponry around the world by Iran and perhaps North Korea, all life on Earth is at risk of annihilation by radiation poisoning.

The following quote is, I think, from George Will. Asked what would happen in the 22nd Century, he said: "There will not be a 22nd Century." And from what is transpiring in the 21st Century's first decade, I think he will be proven right.

[DoughtyOne]

I agree.

[cookcounty]

Why would Iran bother listening to Merkel if she' s already stating the most Iran has to fear is a little economic discomfort for the working class?

Don't Europeans read their own history?

[hinckley buzzard]

So.... when diplomacy fails..... then what?

Germany will be preoccupied examing her nails, and just not notice. When it's all over they will look up and tell us what we should have done instead.

[Lancey Howard]

[Lancey Howard]

Oh wait, that's "Merkel".
Nevermind....

[Michael81Dus]

Here we go again:

I´ve contacted the German Federal Government Press Office (+0049 180 272 0000) because I couldn´t believe that. This "news" would be a 180° turn of Merkel´s Iran policy. So they explained that Merkel said "that she knows nobody who wanted a military option at the moment". So she HAS NOT SAID that she rules out military actions. She follows the German official policy, putting all the pressure on the diplomatic stage, so that a military engagement may be prevented. Germany stands united on this issue with the EU and the US, and with its friend Israel.

The news agencies have concluded things from her words she never said. Once again.