Powell Sees No Need to Use Military Against Iran

[kskiska]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) on Saturday said he saw no need for military action against Iran (news - web sites) for its suspected development of nuclear weapons, given strong diplomatic efforts to address the issue.

Powell told Fuji Television in an interview that although military force remained an option, President Bush (news - web sites) had made it clear that he wanted to find a diplomatic solution.

"Just because there is the possibility you could use military force, I don't see any need to think about that right now because there are ... strong diplomatic efforts under way," Powell told Fuji Television's "Hodo 2001" program.

"The international community has come together to make it clear to Iran that they should not develop nuclear weapons and we are developing the efforts of the European Union (news - web sites) ... and we are working with the International Atomic Energy Agency, so the issue of conflict for Iran I don't think arises yet," he told the Japanese television station in a live interview.

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[Dr Ron]

1. What about Iraq?

I bet that if Powell could have spoken freely before he got stuck promoting Bush's policies, he also would have said there was ne need to use military action against Iran.

Besides, the case for military action against Iran is stronger than Iraq. There is more likely truth to development of WMD and terrorist ties with Iran than Iraq.

[Wright Patman]

2. I'm tired of the terms 'terrorist'

and 'war on terror.' American soldiers are seen as terrorists by at least as many of the world's population as radical Islamists are by now.

As for WMDs. One word--Israel. You don't wanna go there.

[Voltaire99]

31. These terms are substitutes for thought

Yes, every thinking person is tired of it.

As long as America is to go on blithely doing what it is told by oligarchs and imperialists, the official language will have to remain bland and fungible.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Right. That's what WeeCowboy said just a few months before

invading Iraq. I suspect we'll attack Syria first, though, because it's a weaker country. Little George likes invading weak countries. So Little George can spew the usual trash about how this weak little country is dangerous because it allegedly supplies aid to Terrists, then he sends the last few available National Guard troops to invade and whup Syria, and then he gets to beat his chest about his new "conquest." Iran, however, being large and probably nuclear, would be problematic. If George gets enough of a hard-on for it, it'll happen, but... hey, do you feel a draft?

[NYC Liberal]

16. Remember this?

http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/05/23/gen.war.on.terror/

"Bush: 'No war plans on my desk' for Iraq"
BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- President Bush reiterated Thursday that Iraq remains a significant threat, but he stopped short of saying the United States will go to war with the Middle Eastern country.

"I have no war plans on my desk," Bush said at a Berlin news conference during the first stop of his European tour. "We've got to use all means at our disposal to deal with Saddam Hussein."

His statement was in answer to a question about U.S. plans regarding Iraq and heightened concerns voiced throughout the world about the war on terror.

[LynnTheDem]

22. "We've got to use all means at our disposal to deal with Saddam Hussein."

Yes, "all means" such as KICKING THE UN WEAPONS INSPECTORS OUT OF IRAQ, even against majority US opposition to doing so.

And what did the rightwingnuttery say to defend this when it was pointed out to the morans that this in fact is NOT "last resort"?

"We've waited long enough."

Ahhh yes, the IMPATIENCE JUSTIFICATION for a supreme crime war of aggression and the deaths of 1510 and counting American men, women & teens and tens of thousands of civilians.

Rightwingnuts; stupidest MFers on the planet.

[fryguy]

39. good find....

too bad the repugs don't let little things like facts, truth or history cloud their vision of things....

[NMDemDist2]

4. well that seals it then, we're going in

if Powell is against it, the neocons must be frothing at the mouth to get in there and "liberate" all those lovely oil wells I mean PEOPLE! yeah people! that's it

[Erika]

5. Bush is running out of troops & $

to make military intervention an option. Military recruitment goals are way down and the cuts to social programs by his administration to fund war-mongering are waking up a lot of people.

[Voltaire99]

32. Yep--tall order colonizing the Middle East!

No wonder he's suddenly in favor of "diplomacy."

[bluestateguy]

6. and this matters because...?

He has no power and no influence now. I don't care what he thinks, and neither does the Bush Administration.

[procinderella]

7. It's a done deal

BushCo will only start bombing the "Weapons" sites in Iran this spring. In the meantime, covert Iranian Mafia working with the U.S. infiltrate other soft targets. (Loads of info found on this at Leftist blogs (names, CIA docs, etc., ...don't make me do your research...). But you'll know it when you see it happen anyway.

There is so much more war to come, folks. This is only just beginning. But You keep hoping...

I'm sure Pres. Bush won't let you down this time.

[dxstone]

8. Poor Powell; he always looks so uncomfy when he's lying thru his teeth

for big G...

"The international community has come together to make it clear to Iran that they should not develop nuclear weapons and we are developing the efforts of the European Union (news - web sites) ... and we are working with the International Atomic Energy Agency, so the issue of conflict for Iran I don't think arises yet"

Just pretty much exactly like Iraq, then, sounds like...
And isn't that final word telling?
These Bushbabies are really something; they're nothing but base liars and creeps, and they're so fantastically incompetent, they can't even lie and creep properly.
They make Ronald Reagan look like a GOOD actor...

D X Stone
http://www.presidentevilonline.com
"I LOVE horror movies, man... I just don't want to LIVE in one."

[Stirk]

9. Hell, that's better than me. I can't even see a military that we might

be ABLE to use against Iran.

[AndyTiedye]

34. Look Around You. It Won't Be So Much a Draft as a Hurricane

>I can't even see a military that we might be ABLE to use against Iran.

Look around You. Look in the mirror. It won't be just a draft, it will
be a general mobilization (wealthy Bush* donors excepted, of course).

No doubt they'll MIHOP a pretext for all this.
Another Reichstag Fire that will make it all OK.

No training? That's not stopping them now. They're dumping people
from marchng bands and other branches of the service in there with
almost no training as it is.

They aren't likely to run out of depleted uranium any time soon.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[madrchsod]

11. "Powell sees no need for anyone to believe him"

go away............

[Erika]

12. Powell is far more respected by Dems than the GOP

He's not a neocon to them and the Bushies never gave him the time of day.

[The Zanti Regent]

27. BULLFEATHERS!

Colinoreo craves power more than anything else. HIS WHOLE CAREER WAS LIE AFTER LIE FROM COVERING UP MY LAI AND CONTRA COCAINE TO PARTICIPATING IN THE COUP THAT TRIED TO OVERTHROW BILL CLINTON AND DID OVERTHROW AL GORE! If he REALLY had a conscience, he NEVER would have gone before the UN and lied like he did. AND he NEVER would have allowed my son, my only child to die.

BURN IN HELL FOR KILLING MY SON, MY ONLY CHILD, YOU ROTTEN WORTHLESS BASTARD COLINOREO POWELL!

[hatrack]

13. And we should care . . . because . . . uhhhh . . . why, Colin?

Nobody in the White House cared what you thought or had to say prior to your resignation. And you did your job and lied like a good little soldier, and got us into the swamp with both feet.

Now, nobody either in the White House or out of the White House cares what you think or have to say after your resignation.

Could there be a book coming down the pike? One you'd like to pimp as you tour from book signing to book signing? Magic 8-Ball says "I would depend on it".

[Erika]

15. I remember Powell lecturing at Republican convention in 2000

that the GOP must pay attention to Black needs. What I've been disgusted by, is that in all W's speeches, he makes sure there is a token black sitting to the right behind him to be viewed totally.

[teryang]

14. Powell is an intregral part of Bushco

Always has been, always will be. Why are so many fooled by the good cop, bad cop routine?

Powell is a ruthless liar, with an avuncular disposition. Nothing in his statements is at odds with the fundamental premises of neo-con expansionism.

[Erika]

17. Powell fought in a war and spoke for needs of Blacks

You think Bush did, or Condi?

[NNN0LHI]

20. He was also down at the Chimps ranch back in 2000 for photo ops...

...with Boosh after the election but before thousands of black peoples votes were counted in Florida. Those votes never were counted either. I never heard Powell mention anything about that.

Don

[Disturbed]

18. I don't think so.

I feel that there will no attack on Syria &/or Iran from the Bush Junta, directly. Israel may bomb some Syrian sites. What would Syria do about that?

The reason I feel this way is that surely Iran has missles aimed at U.S. Bases in Iraq,subs ready to fire at U.S. ships,sunburn missles ready to launch and 500K Iranian troops poised to pour into Iraq after the missles are launched. The U.S. Intell Agencies know this, as well. The Bush Junta is insane with greed and conquest but will the Oligarchy go along with the destruction of Amerika?

[teryang]

23. These evolutions are a continuum

They are pursued on an opportunistic basis. If you can get what you want without fighting so be it. I accept your basic point, this is a high risk milieu. However, the targets are strategic and economic not tactical. The Iranians have threatened to retaliate against the energy infrastructure in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other persian gulf states. Offensive resources will be expended directly on significant targets they will not be wasted in tactical engagements with uncertain outcomes. They will fall where the most damage will be done to the world economy.

Bluffing is very much a part of the game. But the nature of the bluff is a little more serious than that in N.Korea. This administration and the shareholders and bankers who support it intend to control Iran economically. Nukes are a false issue. It is about currency, energy contracts, and access to Iranian resources. Therefore the bluff is not really a bluff, they aim to do harm, as a Lebanese expert has pointed out. How they do it, is another matter. Subversion, sedition, terrorism, political movements, warlords, whatever. Iran is going down one way or another, they will sign our contracts and use the dollar.

Powell is only the glove over the mailed fist. Intentions must always be disguised. Also there is his personal agenda of divorcing himself from the decline into a more widespread war which he played such a important and dishonest role in bringing about.

[NNN0LHI]

19. Shut the fuck up Powell. Your 15 minutes of fame is over. And I mean over

Go spend some time with the family. Thats if they can stand being around your ugly ass. See if you can find some time to get them teeth cleaned too. They are starting to look like the wicked witch of the wests teeth. Yuck.

[Don

[LynnTheDem]

21. "Military force" remains an option if the USA decides to go for suicide.

There ain't no way in hell the US can invade & occupy Iran.

We couldn't even draft enough cannon fodder to do it.

And unlike Iraq, Iran has friends.

[Erika]

24. No, We can't invade yet another country with our kids

Bushco will have to make do with the record profits of the energy and defense companies, paid for by our troops deaths. Our kids no longer wish to be cannon fodder. A few lessons have been learned since Nam.

[LynnTheDem]

25. We literally cannot invade & occupy Iran.

We wouldn't have enough troops to do so even with a fullscale every American between 18-60 draft.

And then there are those friends of Iran's and that dang Sunburn missile problem.

[teryang]

28. It's the Lawrence syndrome

With their superior knowledge, satellites, cruise missiles and special forces, they'll pull a rabbit out of a hat. They call it the "great game."

If all else fails there are tactical nukes for any "military surprises." It's all there in the neo con play book.

[LynnTheDem]

29. We're not the only ones with nukes...bunches of Iran's pals have em too

And as we're the #1 most despised nation on the planet...

[teryang]

42. Deterrence

I know that this is a passe concept, but the neo-cons rely on it. The player with the trump hand can initiate the escalation, that is their thinking. Which nuclear power will retaliate?

I understand that the neo-cons are Dr. Strangelovian, that is who they are. I think they are nuts. Hitler and his corporate and military supporters were nuts, too. The playing out of wartime scenarios according to an inner logic where the neo-con always wins, is part of the syndrome. Is it crazy? Yeah, it sure is. Will that stop them? Maybe, maybe not. They think they can win through threats, schemes and manipulation. They are Machiavellians. The financial powers that be in the energy, banking and other corporate sectors back them unquestioningly. Hitler succeeded for quite a while before the world got off their butts and phyisically confronted him. This may be what it's going to take.

I don't think there will be a direct confrontation with a nuclear power. There will be a devastating covert response which makes clear that this regime cannot go on intimidating the rest of the world with impunity. It will be a real 911, not the contrived one the invisible security community allowed to happen for purposes of political expediency.

In a way, they are pressed to further and further extremes by the crimes they have already committed and their Malthusian concept of economics. It is a ruling class who's existence is threatened by the emergence of real economic competition from abroad. They perceive themselves to be in crisis and in a position of unchallengeable power at the same time. Like I said, they are nuts, like most ideologues.

[Deja Q]

26. Anyone have a toll booth to go with that bridge that Powell is selling?

:shrug:

[Erika]

30. The important message is that the cowboy from Texas

who was really a New England prep boy, has killed off our troops where he can't make a big play again. He repaid his big energy buds, his defense buds, and gave them the maximum payoff at a cost to the American public. His redistribution of funds from the working class to his buds was what it was all about.

[Rex]

33. Thanks Powell...now go away!

Didn't he get fired or something?

[Disturbed]

35. Oh, I forgot..

Russia and China will sit idely by while the Bush Junta prepares to attack either Syria &/or Iran. They have billions invested. This time I don't think they will allow any further U.S. thievery.

[SodoffBush]

36. Powell used to have an ounce of credibility to his name

Now he doesn't even have that.

[LynnTheDem]

43. When? Before Mai Lai? Before Iran-Contra? Before IraqGate?

Before Gulf War 1991?

Powell is a LIAR. Always has been, always will be.

[SodoffBush]

44. During the 2000 GOP convention, when he told voters he was a moderate

voice and believed in the right to choose. Voters believed his lies then. One hopes fewer do now.

[LynnTheDem]

47. I love your name.

SOD OFF, bush, you PRAT!

:D

[NightOwwl]

37. Dear Colin,

You are irrelevant. Please scoot back under the rock where you belong.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

38. Sure Powell....I Believe You

Why don't you shut your piehole. This administration considered your opinion irrelevant when you Were SOS, why would anyone give a Da** what you think now?

[fryguy]

40. so now it will be condi holding a vial of anthrax at the UN?

glad we have calmer heads running the show now.....

/sarcasm off

[Solly Mack]

41. What's that noise? Did you hear it? There it goes again.

You didn't hear it? Sort of like a fly buzzing about? No? Well, must be my imagination.

...moving right along.

[NervousRex]

45. Yuck...

More smelly, runny verbal diarhea from spastic-Colin.

[mmonk]

46. riiiiiiiiight

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.