Posted on 10/17/2007 2:00:08 PM PDT by 300magnum
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush warned on Wednesday a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to World War III as he tried to shore up international opposition to Tehran amid Russian skepticism over its nuclear ambitions.
Bush was speaking a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has resisted Western pressure to toughen his stance over Iran's nuclear program, made clear on a visit to Tehran that Russia would not accept any military action against Iran.
At a White House news conference, Bush expressed hope Putin would brief him on his talks in Tehran and said he would ask him to clarify recent remarks on Iran's nuclear activities.
Putin said last week that Russia, which is building Iran's first atomic power plant, would "proceed from the position" that Tehran had no plans to develop nuclear weapons but he shared international concerns that its nuclear programs "should be as transparent as possible."
"The thing I'm interested in is whether or not he continues to harbor the same concerns that I do," Bush said. "When we were in Australia (in September), he reconfirmed to me that he recognizes it's not in the world's interest for Iran to have the capacity to make a nuclear weapon."
Bush, who has insisted he wants a diplomatic solution to the Iranian issue, is pushing for a third round of U.N. sanctions against Iran.
Russia, a veto-holding member of the Security Council, backed two sets of limited U.N. sanctions against Iran but has resisted any tough new measures.
Stepping up his rhetoric, Bush said a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a "dangerous threat to world peace."
"We've got a leader in Iran who has announced that he wants to destroy Israel," he said. "So I've told people that, if you're interested in avoiding World War III, it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon."
PUTIN'S "SPECIAL MESSAGE"
Iran rejects accusations it is seeking to develop a nuclear bomb, saying it wants nuclear technology for peaceful civilian purposes such as power generation, and has refused to heed U.N. Security Council demands to halt sensitive uranium enrichment.
Chief Iranian nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani was quoted by Iran's official IRNA news agency on Wednesday as saying that Putin had delivered a "special message" on its atomic program and other issues. No other details were given.
Putin's visit on Tuesday was watched closely because of Moscow's possible leverage in the Islamic Republic's nuclear standoff with the West. It was the first time a Kremlin chief went to Iran since Josef Stalin in 1943.
Asked about Putin's "special message," U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said he was not aware of any deal or offer put forward by Moscow to Tehran over the nuclear program.
On Russian opposition to Caspian Sea states being used to launch attacks against Iran, Casey reiterated that Bush kept all his options on the table but that the United States was committed to the diplomatic path with Tehran.
(Additional reporting by Frederick Dahl in Tehran and Sue Pleming in Washington)
Don’t forget turkey. They could turn on us over night...nice sized military too.
Alexander and napoleon did not have skirmishes going on all over the planet. To be a world war it has to involve more than just the localized region around the homeland.
It sounds like Bush is none too happy!
It sounds like, first of all, that he didn’t like at all the Putin quote the reporter read to him in the press conference yesterday. And, further it sounds like perhaps Bush followed through on his statement about wanting to talk to Putin about it...
And perhaps most importantly it sounds like Bush is publicly starting to “realize” that Russia is NOT on our side re: the Iran issue (I think/hope he understood this sooner though).
I really hope the public starts to wake up and see these things though, and that the MSM will start reporting better on this issue (but, I’m not holding my breath). I honestly think Russia and Iran are looking at what they hear from our traitorous democrat congress and is thinking that the liberals in this country have hamstrung us and that we can’t go through with any real “offense”, or even “defense” perhaps...
Which is why I hope the SUPPORTERS of the Democrats begin to understand what’s at stake here. We need to appear strong, and not weak as they are making us look... This is the time for the “Big Stick” not the Rodney King response... These people are playing for keeps...
How incredibly frustrating this is...
Because he once said "HILTER"...WOW!!!
What do you teach, Quix?
SECURITY is a joke!
It's supposed to be the "final" battle, right? Perhaps the participants will be the tattered remnants of the formerly vast armies.
Ahmendinijad is a puppet master; he is controlling oil going to Europe and Russia. With Russia’s he can gain the nuclear fuel he needs while the allies sit around and bicker at each other uselessly about globasl warming and christian concerns.
Does the Iranian president care?
No.
We are buying time for him to make his move. Turn him to glass.
He never said Hitler he said “Hister” but hey its close.
psychology.
Thanks for asking.
God’s best to you and yours.
Henry Wright is sure taking it in the groin on this thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1913137/posts
And the usual platoon of rock throwers is out in force with extra buckets of rocks . . . some of them evidently dipped first in acid.
Sheesh.
And they seem to think God is well pleased. Sigh.
There are dozens of locations cited in the Bible which have been discovered and verified in recent years.
Why “interpret” a Bible whose prophesiers have been fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled.
There is no need to reinvent the wheel, or the Bible.
I very fiercely and strongly agree. Thanks.
AMEN.
He can take me out of this sin soaked world any time He chooses.
Until then, I covet His guidance, Presence, protection, provision etc. as life itself as HE is the only source of TRUE LIFE . . . JOY, PEACE, HOPE . . .
Hey Quix!
Thanks for the greeting, Jo.
God’s best to you and yours. I trust you and family are well and growing IN The Lord.
LUB,
BLPH,
Thank you for the blessing Quix.
Son is a missionary in Japan.
Daughter and new SIL are starting
their life as partners in Christ.
What parents could be more proud?
May the Lord continue to pour out
His favor upon you as well.
...Jo
Prayers for the new marriage and for the missionary efforts in Japan.
God’s best to each of you.
Thanks for your kind words and concern.
God is faithful.
I know this sounds wierd, but I’ve considered
that the name Putin is very close to the name
RAS-Putin. Rasputin was a pre Russian revolution
Mesmerist, false prophet and necromancer who
held great influence with the Czars. He pur-
portedly healed their son who was a hemopheliac.
Let us hope not.
‘Tis certainly interesting, alright.
Thx.
And your goal would be?
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