Iran a Bigger Threat Than Al Qaeda, Congressman Warns

crosswalk ^ | 9/23/06 | Monisha Bansal

[Flavius]

(CNSNews.com) - As Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Thursday, U.S. lawmakers from both parties warned that Iran poses a bigger threat to the United States than al Qaeda.

"I believe Iran is on the rise. Iran's influence is very strong. Its threat is very real," said Republican Rep. Jim Saxton from New Jersey at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

Saxton referred to the possibility of Iran possessing nuclear weapons in the near future. Iran denies the existence of a weapons program, but continues to enrich uranium despite warnings from the international community.

Ahmadinejad told the United Nations that U.S. opposition to a nuclear Iran is a political maneuver to halt development of the country.

"I am sure that the authorities in the United States are aware that Iran's nuclear issue is a political one. For 27 years the United States has been hostile with the Iranian government and by default, against the development of our country," said Ahmadinejad.

Saxton disagreed, calling for a regional coalition to disarm Iran.

He said a nuclear Iran would be "emboldened" and "poses direct threat to U.S. national security."

"I believe the ideology that rules Iran is as noxious as the radicalism that fuels al Qaeda," said Saxton. I believe Iran represents all the threats we see with al Qaeda, with the added concern that this is a state power on the brink of obtaining nuclear capabilities.

"Quite simply, Iran engages in terrorism," said Saxton.

Democratic Rep. Robert Andrews, also of New Jersey, agreed with Saxton that Iran poses a threat. "There will be few more destabilizing forces in the Middle East than Iran with a nuclear weapon," he said.

But Andrews said any change to Iran's nuclear program is up to the Iranian Revolutionary Council, saying that sanctions would be ineffective "unless they are [universally], internationally adopted."

"I think the major impediment to an international consensus that would convince Iran to back away from the nuclear precipice is our own clumsy foreign policy," he added, a foreign policy which he said is "typical of this administration."

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[danamco]

A must read book, scary stuff!!!

[EternalVigilance]

"I believe the ideology that rules Iran is as noxious as the radicalism that fuels al Qaeda," said Saxton. I believe Iran represents all the threats we see with al Qaeda, with the added concern that this is a state power on the brink of obtaining nuclear capabilities.

Yep.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

" Iran a Bigger Threat Than Al Qaeda, Congressman Warns "
Iran is just a bigger fish to fry.

[maine-iac7]

Iran - and the other mid-East countries - has the power it has because of it's oil...Until we are allowed to produce more of our own oil and alternative power - there will continue to be these threats.

China is going to drill in the Gulf - but the libs wont let us...China wont be the last. The oil WILL be drilled - the question is - are we going to let it go to everyone else - You think the middle east's a problem?

Either we drill in the Gulf and Anwar for oil, drill in Utah for the natural gas, etc - or we will be be dependent on more than just the middle east...

If we become energy independent, these countries can't hold a sword over our heads.

The first step in reigning in Iran is to produce our own oil/gas. Iran is as dependent on our BUYING their oil as we are on getting it.

[humint]

I'll take valet e-faqih for $1000 Who was an ideologically bankrupt theocratic dictator?

[P-40]

At least Iran has a known, fixed address.

[C210N]

Iran is a bigger threat today because we've done ALOT about Al Qaida over the past 5 years, whittling it down, while we've yet to do the same to Iran's terrorism.

[SoldierDad]

I love fried fish.

[SoldierDad]

Couldn't agree more.

[jwparkerjr]

The Lefties and the MSM are constantly trying to make the case that all these various terrorist groups are separate entities, each seeking to serve its own selfish purpose. That is not so, every one of them has the same ultimate goal in mind and that's the conversion, in any way possible, of all the Earth's inhabitants to Islam. There are differing sects and factions within the movement, but in the end they want everyone to bow down to their faith, or die. It really shouldn't matter to us which sect or faction is using terrorism to force their cockeyed religious beliefs on us, the results are the same.

The Lefties and the MSM have used this diversionary tactic since day one of the WOT. Episodes like the circus at the UN this week go a long way in making people wake up and see the threat might come in different packages, but in the end it's all the same.