Posted on 04/21/2010 5:36:53 AM PDT by SJackson
SINGAPORE The US has ruled out a military strike against Iran's nuclear program any time soon, hoping instead negotiations and United Nations sanctions will prevent the Middle East nation from developing nuclear weapons, a top US defense department official said Wednesday.
"Military force is an option of last resort," Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy said during a press briefing in Singapore. "It's off the table in the near term."
The US and its allies fear Tehran is using its nuclear program to build arms. Iran denies the charges, and says its program only aims to generate electricity.
"Right now the focus is a combination of engagement and pressure in the form of sanctions," Flournoy said. "We have not seen Iran engage productively in response."
Iran has rejected a 2009 U.N.-backed plan that offered nuclear fuel rods to Tehran in exchange for Iran's stock of lower-level enriched uranium. The swap would curb Tehran's capacity to make a nuclear bomb.
Iran has proposed variations on the deal, and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Tuesday that a fuel agreement could be a chance to boost trust with the West.
Earlier this week, he said Iran wants direct talks about the deal with all the UN Security Council members, except one with which it would have indirect talks a reference to the United States, which with Tehran has no relations.
The US is lobbying heavily in the Security Council for sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.
Nothing like letting the other players see your cards before you bet.
.......Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy .....
Said it in Singapore not realizing she what she said would get back here and being a pacifist lacky self important undersecretary just couldn’t resist.
Nice of Obama to comfort the Iranians. Iranians can sleep better now - knowing they won't be attacked.
This pronouncement makes it easier for their scientists to work harder and better at the means necessary to kill millions of Americans - when they're ready...
The simple truth is that this administration is completely powerless. they will do nothing and Israel will end up having to care of their own business.
These guys have even less negotiating skills than the guys I used to trade marbles with when I was in 2nd grade. One would surmise that they haven’t played much poker either.
-OR-
They are doing all of this on purpose, which is what I actually think is going on. No one can be this dumb.
I agree. It was obviously off the table under GWB too, but you don't announce that.
Millions upon millions.
Whatever happens to that little democracy, Israel, happens to the rest of the free western world.
“The simple truth is that this administration is completely powerless. they will do nothing and Israel will end up having to care of their own business.”
And I think this latest announcement—whether intentionally or not—sends a clear message to Israel to do just that. And more shamefully, it serves a CYA purpose that will enable Obama—in the aftermath of the inevitable Israeli airstrike—to point his figure and pontificate in a moralizing fashion [he really seems to relish that] that Israel should have given diplomacy time to work (subtext: don’t blame ME!).
hoping instead negotiations and United Nations sanctions will prevent the Middle East nation from developing nuclear weapons
Stupid is as stupid does. What idiots.
i agree. Israel should point that finger back at obama..
“...”Military force is an option of last resort,”...”
I am a strong supporter of Israel. Nevertheless, the statement quoted above does not support your title.
Give the man his just dues. He will demand that the U.N. censure be very, very sternly worded.
I don't think the Iranians were ever afraid of the spineless one doing anything militarily to stop their nuclear ambitions.
The Iranians have only been concerned about Israeli military action since Dubya left office. This is a well-founded concern since Israel will only act as a last resort (and thus with a sense of desperation) which means the military response will be huge.
Isreal now has to choose between trusting Obama to protect Isreal or protecting themselves.
Just as our nuclear deterrent is based upon a certain ambiguity on when and where we would use them, recently REMOVED by 0bama spelling out the circumstances when we would not; similarly there is NO GOOD REASON to tell Iran that such strikes are “off the table”.
A certain amount of ambiguity among our foes about our intentions and the means we would use to accomplish our objectives is a GOOD THING!
Oh for the days when the world saw us as having a “Cowboy” President! One who the world perceived as ready to “shoot from the hip” at a moments notice, or even “shoot first and ask questions later”.
“Hear O Israel...youre on your own.
You always were and always will be.”
Oh HorseCrap
The US sponsored and was the first to recognize the New State of Israel.
In the 67 War despite some incredibly stupid actions by your General Staff in attacking the Liberty the US flew our Best Armor Piercing Tanks Rounds to support you in battle flying them from our War Stocks, and they were a part of the fight.
The Christian people of the United States have been supporting the Nation of Israel by subsidies, our Fortune and our Lives since the modern state was founded.
American Troops and American Tanks flew into Northern Iraq at Great Risk to their Lives to protect you from Scud Missile Attacks During GW I..
Stop playing the Martyr...
We have paid a high price, and we are paying a High Price for the Betrayal of America by Liberal Jewish Sacks of Crap here in the US.
We asked you to condemn Liberal Jews in the US, but you did not.. Your Conservative Rabbis and Representatives did not openly and forcefully condemn Jewish Liberalism in the US and now you see the result..
A majority of America, Christian America is on your side and to the degree they are out of Power in the US right now it is in no small part the result of Jews in Israel failing to support Conservative Christians here in the US.
“at least now, its out in the open.”
Your right if what your saying is Liberal Jews in America betray Israel as they do the US ..
“So start acting like youre on your own.”
Act against Iran yes and whom ever else seeks your destruction.
However, you are decidedly not on your own. Pick the fight and watch the American People back you regardless what a bunch of Anti-Semitic. Anti-American elected and appointed Sacks of Crap do or say.
“Dont worry about taking out Irans reactors.
Take out Irans leaders.”
Smash the entire State of Iran into the stone age.. Break their teeth.. Then watch the other “Muslim States shake..
If the West Bank and Gaza flare up Smash them without mercy.
If reporters or faux Peace Activists get in the way... run them over.
Warn Syria if Hezbolla flares up from Lebanon your coming after them...mean it and do it..
If an when the first Scuds arrive in Israel from Lebanon.. Make the Capital of Syria no more.
Everybody wants to play games.. Cross the Rubicon..use your Nukes...
Follow your teachings. Riseup and kill those who seek to kill you your women and children first.
Nothing else will do.
W
“The US sponsored and was the first to recognize the New State of Israel.”
And also established an arms embargo.
“In the 67 War despite some incredibly stupid actions by your General Staff”
I’m an American. It wasn’t MY General Staff.
“in attacking the Liberty”
The reasons for which are.....
“The Christian people of the United States have been supporting the Nation of Israel by subsidies, our Fortune and our Lives since the modern state was founded.”
Subsidies, OK. Fortune, maybe. Lives? Please.
“American Troops and American Tanks flew into Northern Iraq at Great Risk to their Lives to protect you from Scud Missile Attacks During GW I..”
Oh please. They went into Northern Iraq for their own purposes. That’s why Bush I refused to allow Israeli planes to take out Saddam’s missle launchers.
“We have paid a high price, and we are paying a High Price for the Betrayal of America by Liberal Jewish Sacks of Crap here in the US.”
Of which I’m not one.
“We asked you to condemn Liberal Jews in the US,”
I’ve been doing that without your asking.
“but you did not..”
Bull.
“A majority of America, Christian America is on your side and to the degree they are out of Power in the US right now it is in no small part the result of Jews in Israel failing to support Conservative Christians here in the US.”
First statement you made that I agree with.
at least now, its out in the open.
“Your right if what your saying is Liberal Jews in America betray Israel as they do the US ..”
It’s not only liberal “Jews”. It’s all liberals.
So start acting like youre on your own.
“Act against Iran yes and whom ever else seeks your destruction.”
Who else?
“However, you are decidedly not on your own. Pick the fight and watch the American People back you regardless what a bunch of Anti-Semitic. Anti-American elected and appointed Sacks of Crap do or say.”
Let’s hope.
off-on-off-on-off-on-off......sheesh...Hussein you are in so over your head it isnt funny....
And if he doesn’t his teleprompter does
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