BBC: US accuses Iran over Iraq attacks

BBC ^ | Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 23:52 GMT 00:52 UK | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

US accuses Iran over Iraq attacks

Ambassador Crocker and Gen Petraeus have testified to Congress

Senior US officials have singled out Iran for criticism, a day after giving a progress report on security in Iraq.

Gen David Petraeus, top US commander in Iraq, and US envoy to Baghdad Ryan Crocker both cited evidence of Iranian involvement in attacks on US troops.

Responding to their report, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it made clear Iraq's security had improved, but Iran was a "troublesome neighbour".

US President George W Bush is due to address the nation on Thursday evening.

His speech will follow criticism from senior Democrats, who have said proposed reductions in US troop numbers in Iraq are "insufficient" and do not represent a change in course.

Mr Bush is expected to announce that he plans to reduce US troops in Iraq by about 30,000 by next summer, if certain conditions are met, White House officials say.

The move would bring the number of US troops in Iraq to "pre-surge" levels, with about 130,000 still deployed in Iraq.

'Malign influence'

Gen Petraeus endorsed a gradual reduction in troop numbers in his testimony to Congress on Monday and Tuesday, saying the surge was working, but warned against premature withdrawal.

PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started 30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008 Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] General Petraeus: Report charts [1 MB] Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [50 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

Speaking to reporters, Gen Petraeus said there was "very clear" evidence of Iranian involvement in attacks on US forces in Iraq.

Mr Crocker echoed the message in an interview with the BBC's John Simpson, saying the role of Iran in undermining security in Iraq was "pretty well established".

"We have seen a serious Iranian effort to exercise malign influence through extremist militias," he said.

"And we know it because we've captured leaders of some of these secret organisations... and they've been very clear about their Iranian connections."

Asked how the US should handle Tehran, Mr Crocker said the administration viewed Iran as an international issue that should be dealt with by diplomatic means, such as the UN Security Council.

Iran has denied claims it has been involved in arming and training militias opposed to US forces in Iraq.

First reaction

Speaking to the US TV network NBC, Ms Rice gave the first reaction by the Bush administration to the progress report by Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker.

Mr Bush (right) will endorse Gen Petraeus' proposals, officials say

She said that while the Iraqi government must do more on national reconciliation, the security gains made in Anbar province and some Baghdad neighbourhoods were significant.

Once the security gains were solidified, the US would begin to draw down American forces and hand over responsibility to the Iraqis, she said.

However, she warned against leaving prematurely, pointing out that Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had said his country was "prepared to fill the vacuum" if the US left.

The message that security has improved is clearly what the Bush administration intends to highlight from Gen Petraeus's and Mr Crocker's testimony, the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says.

President Bush will give a 15-minute speech setting out his policy on Thursday night at 2100 local time (0100GMT on Friday).

'More of the same'

Meanwhile, Senate Democratic leaders rejected the call for a reduction in US troop numbers of up to 30,000 by next July as too small a step.

Senior Democrats have said it is time for a change of course in Iraq

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Gen Petraeus's recommendation was "neither a drawdown or a change in mission that we need.

"His plan is just more of the same."

He called on Senate Republicans to stop walking "lockstep" with the president over Iraq, saying the Democrats would offer alternatives when the Senate discusses a defence bill next week.

The Democrats have so far been unable to pass legislation to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq because their majority in Congress is too slim to overturn a presidential veto.

Democratic Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it appeared that President Bush was prepared to "stay the course indefinitely".

A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.

[Professional]

Maybe I’m missing something, but if Iran is attacking us, should we not attack them? Or are they a really formidable army capapble of kicking our butts?

[Just Lori]

Gen David Petraeus, top US commander in Iraq, and US envoy to Baghdad Ryan Crocker both cited evidence of Iranian involvement in attacks on US troops.

Wow! Somebody was listening!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Key quotes: Iraq surge hearing

*****************************************

merica's top military commander in Iraq and the US ambassador in Baghdad are testifying in Congress about the results achieved so far by the six-month-old US troop expansion. Here are some key quotes:

GEN DAVID PETRAEUS, US COMMANDER IN IRAQ

The military objectives of the surge are in large measure being met.

I believe we will be able to reduce our forces to pre-surge level by next summer without jeopardising the security gains.

Like Ambassador Crocker, I believe Iraq's problems will require a long-term effort. There are no easy answers or quick solutions. And although we both believe this effort can succeed, it will take time.

Our assessments underscore, in fact, the importance of recognising that a premature draw-down of our forces would likely have devastating consequences.

It is increasingly apparent to both coalition and Iraqi leaders that Iran, through the use of the Quds force, seeks to turn the Iraqi special groups into a Hezbollah-like force to serve its interests and fight a proxy war against the Iraqi state and coalition forces in Iraq.

The tribal rejection of al-Qaeda that started in al-Anbar province and helped produce such significant change there, has now spread to a number of other locations.

RYAN CROCKER, US AMBASSADOR TO IRAQ

I intend to demonstrate that it is possible for the United States to see its goals realised in Iraq, and that Iraqis are capable of tackling and addressing the problems confronting them today.

A secure, stable, democratic Iraq, at peace with its neighbours, is attainable.

The trajectory of political, economic and diplomatic developments in Iraq is upwards, although the slope of that line is not steep.

I am certain that abandoning or drastically curtailing our efforts will bring failure.

An Iraq that falls into chaos or civil war will mean massive human suffering well beyond what has already occurred within Iraq's borders.

I do believe that Iraq's leaders have the will to tackle the country's pressing problems - although it will take longer than we originally anticipated because of the environment and the gravity of the issues before them.

I believe they approach the task with a deep sense of commitment and patriotism.

TOM LANTOS, HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

We and the American people already know that the situation in Iraq is grim, and the growing majority of this Congress and of the American people want our troops out.

The current escalation in our military presence in Iraq may have produced some tactical successes. But strategically, the escalation has failed.

It was intended to buy time for [Iraqi] Prime Minister [Nouri] Maliki and the other Iraqi political leaders to find ways to move toward the one thing that may end this terrible civil conflict, and that, of course, is a political settlement. As best we can see, that time has been utterly squandered.

IKE SKELTON, HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

While our troops were holding back the opposing team to let them make a touchdown, the Iraqis haven't even picked up the ball.

The witnesses must tell us why we should continue sending our young men and women to fight and die if the Iraqis won't make the tough sacrifices leading to reconciliation.

What is the likelihood that things will change dramatically and there will be political progress in the near term? Are we merely beating a dead horse?

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said..........Iran was a “troublesome neighbour”.

Just sooooo brilliant and articulate, our dear condi, LOL
///////////////////nothing follows///////////////////////

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

The real enemy is in Washington:

Democrats attack Iraq testimony

***************************************

Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 23:09 GMT 00:09 UK

Democrats attack Iraq testimony

Gen Petraeus says the surge has reduced violence in Iraq

The two top US officials in Iraq have faced criticism from Democrat presidential hopefuls in Congress.

Senators Joe Biden and Barack Obama told military commander David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker the troop build-up had failed to achieve peace.

Senator Hillary Clinton said the two men had been dealt a "very hard hand" and said the US government was failing to pursue a coherent strategy.

Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker were giving testimony on the hearing's second day.

Both repeated their contention that the military "surge" in Iraq was working, and warned against a rapid withdrawal.

White House officials said President Bush would this week announce plans to reduce US troops in Iraq by about 30,000 by next summer - in line with the recommendations of Gen Petraeus and Mr Crocker.

The BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington, says the president's move is an attempt to seize the initiative and to give the impression - whether true or not - that he is driving events.

'Americans are dying'

Sen Biden - who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee - said the build-up had failed to promote reconciliation between Sunnis and Shia, and was at best "a stopgap that will not prevent chaos".

He concluded: "We should stop the surge and start bringing our troops home."

See US troop positions before and after the surge

Sen Obama - one of the Democratic nomination frontrunners - called the war a "disastrous foreign policy mistake" and said the impact of the surge had been modest given the resources.

Some type of success in Iraq is possible Gen David Petraeus Key quotes: Second day Making the case for the surge Media unimpressed by report

Sen Clinton, who leads current polls for the nomination, focused on the government's failures.

"I give you tremendous credit for presenting as positive a view of a rather grim reality," she said.

"I believe that you ... were dealt a very hard hand... It's not only the Iraqi government that has failed to pursue a coherent strategy, I think our own has as well."

John Kerry - the defeated Democratic candidate in the 2004 election - questioned the commitment of the Iraqi politicians who he said were stalling while US soldiers sacrificed their lives.

"Is it acceptable that young Americans are dying and being grievously wounded while Iraqi politicians delay and delay and delay meeting their own standards?" he asked.

Iraqi warning

Although all candidates are opponents of the war, they differ on how the US should withdraw.

PETRAEUS - KEY POINTS Sectarian violence declined since surge started 30,000 US troops likely withdrawn by mid-2008 Decision on further troop cuts expected in March Situation in Iraq remains difficult Key quotes from hearing General Petraeus: Report to Congress [64 KB] General Petraeus: Report charts [64 KB] Ambassador Crocker: Report to Congress [64 KB] Most computers will open these documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson says the senators' questions will be watched carefully by the party's grassroots supporters, where opinion is running strongly against the continued presence of US troops.

During Tuesday's testimony Gen Petraeus again insisted that the increase in US troop levels had reduced the violence and insisted that "some type of success in Iraq is possible".

Mr Crocker agreed that the surge had "helped change dynamics in Iraq for the better".

"I do believe that Iraq's leaders have the will to tackle the country's pressing problems, although it will take longer than we initially anticipated," he said.

Mr Crocker also emphasised signs of economic progress, pointing to a projected 6% growth for the Iraqi economy in 2007.

Republican Senator John McCain, a contender for his party's presidential nomination, defended the US strategy in Iraq, saying: "Congress must not choose to lose in Iraq and I will do everything in my power to ensure that we do not."

He said failure in Iraq would turn that country into a haven for terrorists and would let Iran come to dominate the Middle East.

But some Republicans senators voiced unease about the Bush administration's policy on Iraq.

Americans give their views on the situation in Iraq In pictures

Sen Richard Lugar said: "As policymakers, we should acknowledge that we are facing extraordinarily narrow margins for achieving our goals."

Sen Chuck Hagel, an opponent of the war, asked: "Are we going to continue to invest American blood and treasure at the same rate as we are now? For what?"

During Monday's joint hearing of the House of Representatives Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, Gen Petraeus said violence had declined since more US troops were sent to Iraq.

He added that about 30,000 troops could be withdrawn by the middle of next year.

A record 168,000 US troops are now in Iraq after 30,000 arrived in the surge between February and June.

[shankbear]

Spool up the jets. Load up the ordinance. Rev up the jetjocks. Rock n roll on the Teheran twit, Ablowmedinijad.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Adding one more from the BBC rich source of material:

Have Your Say
Bush Iran Iraq speech: Your views

**************************EXCERPT****************************

President George W Bush has warned Iran to stop supporting militants fighting against US forces in Iraq. How serious is the state of US-Iranian relations?

In a speech to US war veterans, the president repeated charges that Tehran was providing training and weapons for extremists in Iraq. He said he had authorised US military commanders in Iraq to confront what he called "Tehran's murderous activities."

This was the president's second speech in under a week to press the message that the conflict in Iraq is worth it for the United States, and comes ahead of next month's interim report on the effects of the US military "surge" there.

Earlier, Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that US authority in Iraq was rapidly collapsing, and Iran would help fill the void.

What are your views of President Bush's speech and its timing? Is this more than a war of words between the two countries? How much scope is there for progress on the diplomatic front?

Read the full story

Published: Tuesday, 28 August, 2007, 20:53 GMT 21:53 UK

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #8....

[Just Lori]

THE REAL ENEMY IS IN WASHINGTON

Hard to believe, but it's true. The liberals MUST go down. Is there any time in U.S. history when it was THIS BAD?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Continuing with the story:

Bush warns Iran over insurgents

************************************************

Tuesday, 28 August 2007, 22:05 GMT 23:05 UK

US President George W Bush has warned Iran to stop supporting the militants fighting against the US in Iraq.

In a speech to US war veterans in Reno, Nevada, Mr Bush renewed his accusations that Tehran has provided training and weapons for extremists in Iraq.

Earlier, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned that US authority in the region was rapidly collapsing, and Iran would help fill the void.

"Soon, we will see a huge power vacuum in the region," Mr Ahmadinejad said.

"Of course, we are prepared to fill the gap, with the help of neighbours and regional friends like Saudi Arabia, and with the help of the Iraqi nation."

'Murderous activities'

In his speech to the American Legion, Mr Bush hit back, accusing Iran's Revolutionary Guards of funding and arming insurgents in Iraq.

Iran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere President Bush US 'seizes Iranian group in Iraq'

And he said Iran's leaders could not avoid some responsibility for attacks on coalition troops and Iraqi civilians.

"I have authorised our military commanders in Iraq to confront Tehran's murderous activities," he said.

The BBC's Justin Webb, in Washington, says this looks like a conscious effort by the White House to elevate the tension between Washington and Tehran to a new level.

Such an effort might be designed to avoid the need for armed conflict or might equally be an effort to bring that conflict about, our correspondent says.

The Iranian authorities have consistently denied accusations that they are helping militants in Iraq.

Shortly after Mr Bush made his address, Iranian officials reported that seven Iranians working for the country's electricity ministry had been arrested in Baghdad by US forces.

'Nuclear threat'

In a wide-ranging speech, Mr Bush also tackled the issue of Iran's nuclear ambition - which Tehran insists is solely to provide power, but the US believes may be used to develop weapons.

HAVE YOUR SAY Lots of accusations, but absolutely no evidence to support them. He's not even taking the trouble to make any evidence up this time! David, Newcastle Send us your comments

"Iran's active pursuit of technology that could lead to nuclear weapons threatens to put a region already known for instability and violence under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust," he said.

"Iran's actions threaten the security of nations everywhere.

"We will confront this danger before it is too late."

It was Mr Bush's second major speech on foreign policy in a week.

Correspondents say he is seeking to rally support for the so-called surge strategy of sending more troops to Iraq.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

There is a book (now available in paperback ):

***********************

Unholy Alliance: Radical Islam and the American Left
(Hardcover)
by David Horowitz

********************************************************

And reviews:

****************************************

Editorial Reviews

Rich Lowry, Editor National Review

David Horowitz is synonymous with pyrotechnics. A historian and polemicist of the first order, he is paid the ultimate compliment --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Davis Hanson, Author, Ripples of Battle

An original look at those who want us to fail in the Middle East, both at home and abroad. The --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

***********************************************************

See all Editorial Reviews

Fascinating Analysis of Leftist Goals, August 13, 2006

Reviewer: N. Sincerity - See all my reviews

A former 1960s radical, Horowitz is well-acquainted with the Leftist mindset. In this book, he strives to explain the modern alliance between left wing progressivists and radical Islamofascists. He argues that this alliance is based on a common desire to destroy Western capitalism. Leftist sympathy with Islamofascist ideas makes no sense from an intellectual point of view, given that countries ruled by radical Islamists are among the most racist, sexist, theocratic states in the world today. However, Leftists have recognized that they can benefit politically from destructive terrorist attacks on the Western world. A West under attack can be made to turn on its leaders in fear and desperation (as they did in Spain after the Madrid train bombings). Only once people reject current government structures can the Left execute its anti-capitalist revolution and build a new reality that mirrors the Leftist view of utopia.

The complete and utter idealogical hypocrisy of the Islamofascist-Leftist alliance is distressing, but as Horowitz reminds us,

Leftists radicals truly believe the ends justify the means.

***************************************

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

yeh.

Big primetime chat tomorrow nite at 9pm. Either gonna shove messico further down our throats or announce Iran festivities.

(CNN Student News) — September 13, 2007
They were talking about recent testimony from General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq. Officials say Mr. Bush is ready to act on some of the general’s recommendations, and he might talk about them during a televised address tonight. The president is scheduled to speak at 9 PM, and we want to hear your opinions on what he says. So tune in tonight, and then e-mail us here at CNN Student News afterwards and tell us what you thought.

disgustingly, CNN poisons them young and out of the limelight, prob in cahoots with the NEA.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Gen. David Petraeus and [Ambassador] Ryan Crocker both cited evidence of Iranian involvement in attacks on US troops. Responding to their report, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said it made clear Iraq's security had improved, but Iran was a "troublesome neighbour."

"troublesome neighbour," hmmm.. Local news Headline: "Family shot, car blown up killing father by 'troublesome neighbor.' City authorities plan no action against neighbor. Big City, U.S.A. 'What can we do?' asks mayor. 'How would City Council and the neighborhood react?' . . . ."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just found this on the Blogosphere (CQ):

US Has Iranian Missile Debris After Attack

**********************************EXCERPT**********************************

The US military in Iraq has evidence from a rocket attack that they claim prove Iranian involvement in Iraq. The briefing, scheduled for tomorrow, will display the Iranian markings from a missile that killed one civilian and wounded eleven troops:

U.S. military officials in Iraq tell ABC News that a rocket used in an attack on coalition headquarters at Camp Victory Tuesday was made in Iran. Officials say the rocket, which narrowly missed its target, was fired from an area of Baghdad controlled by Shia militia leader Moqtada al Sadr.

Officials say it landed so close that it shook the windows of the al Faw Palace, which houses the operational headquarters of U.S. forces in Iraq. The top two American military officials in Iraq -- Gen. David Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno -- both have offices in the building. A video teleconference of senior officers was abruptly halted as officials rushed outside to see what was hit.

The attack wounded 11 coalition troops and killed one foreign worker.

It will be interesting, but more for the reaction than the fact itself. By this time, everyone concedes that Iran has been supplying and training the Mahdi army, working through Hezbollah. The use of Iranian munitions only underscores what people already know about Iranian involvement in Iraq.

Will this latest attack produce any call to bring Iran to account for its interference? At the moment, probably not. The administration wants to focus on sticking with its new strategy and isn't anxious to push for action against Iran. They will highlight the use of the munitions, but will most likely leave that as a noted data point for a future argument.

Posted by Ed Morrissey on September 12, 2007 4:54 PM |

[NormsRevenge]

Officials say the rocket, which narrowly missed its target, was fired from an area of Baghdad controlled by Shia militia leader Moqtada al Sadr.

---

MuQty MuQty MuQty.. tsk tsk tsk

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #15...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Related thread:

Iranian Special-ops Unit Flees Iraq to Avoid Capture

******************************EXCERPT Intro**********************************

September 12, 2007

The Examiner

Rowan Scarborough

Fearing capture, a special-operations unit that reports directly to Iran's ruling mullahs has fled Iraq, U.S. defense officials say. Tehran's decision to recall the Qods Forces is being hailed inside the U.S. command in Baghdad because it rids Iraq, at least for now, of a particularly lethal group. Qods operatives, who might have numbered in the hundreds inside Iraq, armed and trained Shiite extremists who have killed American troops and Iraqis.

Qods is the covert section of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, the enforcement arm of the Tehran regime. Qods is the only unit in the Corps that answers to the hard-line mullahs.

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, disclosed the Qods Forces' return to Iran in congressional testimony Monday, but did not elaborate.

Defense sources told The Examiner on Wednesday that Tehran recalled the Qods Forces out of concern that more Iranian operatives would be captured and disclose valuable information about how Iran is funding, training and arming Iraqi Shiites.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Another related FR Thread:

U.S. Looks to Sanctions on Iran's Quds Force
Washington Post/Reuters ^ | September 12, 2007

**************************************EXCERPTS*************************************

U.S. officials said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was furious over the leak, which one diplomat said was seen as a deliberate attempt by hawks in the administration to push the State Department to take firmer action against Iran.

Several senior U.S. officials said a decision had been made not to label the entire Guard Corps a terrorist group, partly because some of Washington's allies disagreed with the move and also because of the legalities involved.

The thinking was now to impose strong financial measures against the Quds without calling it a terrorist group.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #19....