Posted on 12/09/2006 1:39:06 PM PST by anotherview
Dec. 9, 2006 15:34 | Updated Dec. 9, 2006 19:32
Olmert not ruling out attack on Iran
By YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST STAFF
Olmert is seen during a meeting with Gush Katif evacuees in the Negev. Olmert offered wide-ranging peace concessions to Palestinians on Monday if they turned away from violence.
Photo: AP
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in an interview scheduled for publication on Sunday, told Germany's Der Spiegel magazine that he could not rule out the possibility of a military attack against Iran, and called for the international community to step up action against Teheran.
Olmert called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated threats to destroy Israel "absolutely criminal," and said that he expected "more dramatic steps to be taken."
# Security and Defense: The strong winds of war # Editor's Notes: Iran the vulnerable? (column)
Olmert was interviewed ahead of his planned trip to Germany, where on Tuesday he will meet and hold a joint press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
When asked about his recent offer to concede "large territories" in the West Bank for a "true peace," Olmert responded: "A prime minister should not make promises that he cannot keep but my message is clear: I am prepared to give up regions."
Such a withdrawal, Olmert added, would allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank.
On Friday, Olmert spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran's nuclear program and told Putin that he hoped the UN Security Council would vote to impose sanctions if Iran continued to flout the international community's demands that it stop its nuclear development, Army Radio reported.
Calling Iran's race to obtain nuclear weapons an existential threat for Israel, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky said Friday that a nuclear Iran also threaten all of Europe.
"A nuclear Iran is a threat to Israel but can also have an effect on the entire Middle East," Kaplinsky said during a mayoral conference near Jerusalem. "A nuclear Iran will pose a threat way beyond Israel's borders, possibly even a threat to all of Europe."
Recently, Kaplinsky said, Iran received a shipment of anti-aircraft missiles from Russia and was in touch with China regarding additional arms deals. "There are disagreements when their [nuclear] program will be effective," the general said. "But we predict that Iran will reach the ability in the near future."
Concerning the Baker-Hamilton report, Kaplinsky said: "In my opinion, the strategy used and the way the United States decides to pull out of Iraq, will have an effect on us and the entire region."
This article tells the enemies of Israel that Olmert will do nothing. I don't think they buy into looking tough and carrying no stick!
"I am prepared to give up regions," he thundered. Whatta man! The French can't dream of surrendering so boldly.
They need a little revolution over there. March his @ss out the door.
He needs to GO. Israel should NOT have to give up any territory for those pesky Palestinians. Where is Bibi??? I believe Israel will attack Iran, perhaps in June. Will America be on her side or will we complain about this move?
Give war a chance!
bttt
he should just rule in an attack and get it over with now- he's just delaying the inevitable! http://sacredscoop.com
By JPOST.COM STAFF
Iran and Syria to renew diplomatic ties
Iran and Syria announced on Saturday night that they would renew their diplomatic ties, after many years of political standstill between them.
From Monday, the respective embassies in both countries will be manned.
It follows agreements reached between the two nations in recent weeks.
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