'US Preparing for Strike on Iran'- Scott Ritter Last Night

[buzzsaw_23]

By Guardian Unlimited / World news 01:17pm

Scott Ritter, the former UN weapons inspector to Iraq and at one time a US marine, warned in apocalyptic terms in London last night of a US-led attack on Iran, writes Ewen MacAskill, diplomatic editor.

Mr Ritter - a high-profile opponent of the war in Iraq - is not resting on his laurels after having accurately predicted that no weapons of mass destruction would be found in Iraq and that US-led forces would be caught in a quagmire.

Speaking in a debate at the ICA about the prospects of military action against Iran, Mr Ritter said preparations were already under way. He said the US was backing Khalq insurgents who are carrying out raids in southern Iraq, and air bases were being readied in Central Asia.

Is this the stuff of fantasy, or is there a real prospect of an air attack to disrupt Iran’s nuclear facilities? Tehran claims its nuclear programme is purely for peaceful, civilian purposes. The US, Britain and Israel suspect Iran is hell-bent on covertly producing a nuclear bomb.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/news/archives/2005/10/06/us_preparing_for_strike_on_iran.html

[havocmom]

1. Desperate times for the junta. Fitz breathing down their necks.

Look out world, this gang has no intention of being taken out of power. Nothing beyond them. No level of death/destruction is too much for them to consider when they need a diversion from bad press.

[etherealtruth]

2. "This" is why I am terrified by ...

... the Chimps scheduled press conference. Is it to inform us that "we" began bombing Tehran ...? :scared:

edit: spelling

[madokie]

3. .

:scared:

[HereSince1628]

4. I think not. The Chinese owns us and has commitments to Iran

This is probably the real reason that the US is sending a delegation to Beijing. The US needs assurance that China won't pull out economic plug in response to an attack. I don't think that the US will get that because China really needs Iranian oil.

[catmandu57]

14. I am with you

However, we must remember that these are truly deluded and desperate people, they may be trying to employ a scorched earth policy in regards to Iran and Syria.
I don't know how strong a warning it'll take from the rest of the world, but they'de better be getting on the horse. The chimpco* have already told us here what they think of us and all who oppose them, maybe a couple of strong economic shots across our bow might wake people up.

[HereSince1628]

17. Having heard * mention Iran and Syria 3 or more times and no tolerance

for WMD in the hands of renegade governments, I think Ritter might have been referring to hints about the contents of this speech.

I still think the US will need to get green lights from China and Russia, even more so if Bush decides to use tactical nukes to go after better protected sites.

I still question whether he could get a green light from either China or Russia.

[kahleefornia]

5. stop saying quagmire!!

I'm so sick of that word!! Every reporter and politician should get a good thesaurus.

[The Sleeper]

6. China ? we just promise to...

give them a cut of Iran (which, of course, the shrubbies will cancel when the time is right).
It worked out well for the Germans and Russians regarding Poland, didn't it ?

[Kralizec]

7. Ritter was right about everything he has said before. He *did* make this

same claim over the summer, though. He said that we would attack Iran by June, obviously we didn't. This doesn't mean that Bu*hCo didn't just delay it a little longer to let it fall under the radar, for a more opportune time.

[Just Me]

8. BushCO does keep mentioning Iran and Syria.

Iran and Syria are in the PNAC plan.

For God's sake, Fitz!!! Get these bastards before they start a world war!!! Please!!!

[ohio_liberal]

9. That's the only way it can be accomplished

Attacks from the air and paid mercenaries. The US sure as hell doesn't have the ground troops available. Do these assholes not realize that Iran can fight back?

[seemslikeadream]

10. He's is setting it up right now on the TV

and he is really really scaring me!

[H2O Man]

11. I agree

100%.

[murray hill farm]

13. yes!

He most definitely was setting up for it in his speech today...that was clear...but he expanded, i think...in his insinuation that all countries that even consider relations with these countries..iran and syria, specifically...were also to be considered to be terrorists...so..first Iran..second, Syria...then on to central and south america.(this is quietly being set up now..not secretly, but quietly)...where will this end...he really must be stopped..he truly is insane.

[buzzard]

16. I think that is what he is doing as well, how much more can the world

take before ending this regime. They are truly nutty and it scares me.

[rndmprsn]

12. Blair links Iran to Iraq blasts - Guardian

bush's poodle has been handed the baton on iran...be scared, its starting to intensify.

--
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12956,1586313,00.html

Tony Blair today said new explosive devices used against British troops in Iraq were suspected to have come from "Iranian elements".

Mr Blair warned Tehran the UK would "not be intimidated" into giving up its demand that Iran should abandon its nuclear programme.

The prime minister made the UK's suspicions public at a joint Downing Street news conference with the Iraqi president, Jalal Talabani, at which both leaders stressed the importance of Iraq's referendum on a draft consitution next week.

[spindoctor]

18. Cant be, we're only fighting Sunnis and Saddam Loyalists in Iraq

Nothing but Shiites in Iran.

hmmm....verrreeee eenterresteeeng.

[murray hill farm]

15. What preparations?

Can we invade Iran, legally? And how could we possibly do it? We dont have the soldiers or equipment to invade another country on any traditional mode of invasion or war. Could we nuke them? Not likely...biological warfare..possibly more likely..but really..how could it even occur at this point in time? And they would fight back, possible with the help of China..what are they thinking?

[seemslikeadream]

20. I think Cheney wants to nuke 'em

[Laelth]

22. Legally?

As if that's ever bothered this administration. They follow only Imperial law.



-Laelth

[mnmoderatedem]

19. Was Ritter critical of Clinton?

I thought Ritter resigned his position in '98 becasue Clinton wasn't doing enough about Saddam, at least that's how it was interpreted. War party proponents are viewing this as a flip flop. What was the whole story behind this?

[Roland99]

21. Ritter predicted US military action by June. He's a bit late.

[Larkspur]

23. If they are using Iranian rebels to take the place of our troops, then

this plan sounds like a repeat of the failed "Bay of Pigs Invasion."

Ritter had predicted this action taking place in June, but he said that other factors, I can't remember which, postponed this action. I agree with Ritter, that Bush Co. is itching to attack Iran. It's just a matter of when, not if.

The Iraqi insurgency is helping to stall that plan. If they go ahead and attack Iran, it will be interesting to see what the Iraqi government will do. The Shiites have forged a formal defense and economic deal with Iran, and the Shiites promised Iran that they will not let the US use Iraqi soil to launch an attack. If the US uses another Central Asian country to launch an attack, the Iraqi government will have kept their word, but they may not support such an attack regardless of where it was launched.

[laruemtt]

24. forget the immorality of it all -

logistically how does he plan to do this? i demand he be removed immediately on the grounds of insanity.

[murray hill farm]

25. yep!

sounds good to me!