Posted on 10/26/2012 5:17:51 AM PDT by SJackson
Secret legal advice states pre-emptive strike could be in breach of international law as Iran not yet 'clear and present threat'
Britain has rebuffed US pleas to use military bases in the UK to support the build-up of forces in the Gulf, citing secret legal advice which states that any pre-emptive strike on Iran could be in breach of international law.
The Guardian has been told that US diplomats have also lobbied for the use of British bases in Cyprus, and for permission to fly from US bases on Ascension Island in the Atlantic and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, both of which are British territories.
The US approaches are part of contingency planning over the nuclear standoff with Tehran, but British ministers have so far reacted coolly. They have pointed US officials to legal advice drafted by the attorney general's office which has been circulated to Downing Street, the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence.
This makes clear that Iran, which has consistently denied it has plans to develop a nuclear weapon, does not currently represent "a clear and present threat". Providing assistance to forces that could be involved in a pre-emptive strike would be a clear breach of international law, it states.
"The UK would be in breach of international law if it facilitated what amounted to a pre-emptive strike on Iran," said a senior Whitehall source. "It is explicit. The government has been using this to push back against the Americans."
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Simple solution - Do it anyway.
Once again, Obama’s repeated sh!tting on our most trusted Euro ally pays off.... for the enemy.
The Brits don’t trust us so long as Obama sits in the WH. I don’t blame them.
Because of “O’s” behavior to our allies, there is absolutely NO incentive whatsoever, for them to go ONE INCH out of their way for us! I don’t blame them, either.
Thanks “O”!
People complain about how Obama has damaged our relationship with our closest ally. This would kill it. Is Iran worth it?
Maybe, with Britain slowly becoming a Sharia state, it is NOT an ally AFTER ALL.
Might be payback for obama and Hillary Clinton not supporting the UK about the Falkland Islands, among about 2 dozen other reasons.
Can’t say I blame the UK. After all in Obama’s America those that support the US have more to fear than those that oppose the US. The Brits figure they would get hung out to dry if something went wrong. After all, it is easier for Iran to lob a nuke to Britain than to the US. If Obama is managing the planning something *will* go wrong.
Can’t blame Londonistan. They have to stand for fellow muzzies.
Ditto to both. Obama poisoned the waters and America pays for it.
Fruits of the current administration’s Britain-bashing and Muslim-embracing: two can play at that game!
Note there is no attribution in the Guardian story.
A “senior Whitehall source” is not a source at all.
Alright. We had to switch to “freedom” fries and “freedom” toast after France wimped out post-9/11. What do we do here? No more putting “English” on a cue ball in billiards? Having our kids learn their reading and writing in “American” class? Any suggestions?
I would ask the question:
How much does Islam influence within England have to do with the decision, that is assuming that there is any truth to it.
good job Øbama.
“Is Iran worth it?”
Actually. . .
“Is a NUCLEAR ARMED Iran worth it?
The answer is not only “yes,” but “H3LL YES”
One country lead by a muslim and another being taken over by them. What a mess!
Is it too late to get Churchill’s bust bacK
Oh well, hang on for two more weeks.
Permission will be granted on January 21, 2013.
LLS
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