Bush warns Iran against action in Iraq

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - Deeply distrustful of Iran, President Bush said Monday "we will respond firmly" if Tehran escalates its military actions in Iraq and threatens American forces or Iraqi citizens.

Bush's warning was the latest move in a bitter and more public standoff between the United States and Iran. The White House expressed skepticism about Iran's plans to greatly expand its economic and military ties with Iraq. The United States has accused Iran of supporting terrorism in Iraq and supplying weapons to kill American forces.

"If Iran escalates its military actions in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and - or innocent Iraqi people, we will respond firmly," Bush said in an interview with National Public Radio.

The president's comments reinforced earlier statements from the White House.

"If Iran wants to quit playing a destructive role in the affairs of Iraq and wants to play a constructive role, we would certainly welcome that," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. But, he said, "We've seen little evidence to date (of constructive activities) and frankly all we have seen is evidence to the contrary."

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070129/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iran

from sabra's earlier post:
LAT: Scant evidence found of Iran-Iraq arms link

~snip~
In his speech this month outlining the new U.S. strategy in Iraq, President Bush promised to "seek out and destroy" Iranian networks that he said were providing "advanced weaponry and training to our enemies." He is expected to strike a similar note in tonight's State of the Union speech.

For all the aggressive rhetoric, however, the Bush administration has provided scant evidence to support these claims. Nor have reporters traveling with U.S. troops seen extensive signs of Iranian involvement. During a recent sweep through a stronghold of Sunni insurgents here, a single Iranian machine gun turned up among dozens of arms caches U.S. troops uncovered. British officials have similarly accused Iran of meddling in Iraqi affairs, but say they have not found Iranian-made weapons in areas they patrol.

The lack of publicly disclosed evidence has led to questions about whether the administration is overstating its case. Some suggest Bush and his aides are pointing to Iran to deflect blame for U.S. setbacks in Iraq. Others suggest they are laying the foundation for a military strike against Iran.

Before invading Iraq, the administration warned repeatedly that Saddam Hussein was developing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Those statements proved wrong. The administration's charges about Iran sound uncomfortably familiar to some. "To be quite honest, I'm a little concerned that it's Iraq again," Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, head of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said last week, referring to the administration's comments on Iran.
more:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2700185

[Debau2005]

1. In other words...

we'll have an incident that we blame on Iran, so we can attack them!

[Lerkfish]

2. gee, where are all those who accuse of wearing tin foil hats for even

suggesting there is a plan to attack Iran?

seems that tin foil is getting to be more ironclad.

[ShortnFiery]

11. Wake up to the fact that there's a lot of money to be made in both

maintaining the energy contracts with the USA oil tycoons vice re-writing them to include IRAN. The Iraqi government is openly negotiating with Iran. Hello! They are both Shia. But make no mistake, the Iraqis are also FIECERLY NATIONALISTIC and would not allow Iran to "take over." Why should they when they can work together? Therefore, in addition to Oil and Electricity interest, the Iraqi leadership welcomes IRAN's assistance in reconstruction if/when the dust settles.

It is our corporate elites' job to keep us there Militarily FOR THE DURATION. BUT the true reason our troops are there is ONLY to protect the BIG MONEY contracts meant to privatize Iraqi energy.

Yes, if we don't intervene with investigations and impeachment, either Israel or the USA will bomb the hell out of Iran. That way, Iraq will not be able to work with Iran. They want to because Iran will not privatize their energy resources. It makes perfect sense for the welfare of the Iraqi people but will financially HARM our big Corporations who are trying to monopolize the energy and reconstruction, billions upon billions would NOT be made if Iraq makes nice with Iran. :shrug:

The Unitary Executive is FREAKED OUT that open contracts are being drawn up between the democratically elected Iraqi Leaders and IRAN. :wow:

We have NO business sending our beloved soldiers there to die for Halliburton, Big OIL, Raytheon, Boeing, Lock-heed Martin, etc. etc. Our soldiers are dying so that the USA Corporate Conglomerates will not RIGHTFULLY lose their influence to privatize Iraq. :(

[dos pelos]

24. Exactly right and true.......hammer hits nail dead on

Only thing to add is that the corporate elite has purchased the services of most of congress.Already owns the media and has eyes on control of the internet.

[progressivebydesign]

13. the PNAC makes the need for tin foil pointless. n/t

[leveymg]

3. Iraq is already Iran's western province. Why should Iran attack its own proxy?

The al-Maliki regime in Baghdad is dominated by the Shi'a, who also control the Iraqi Army. All that Iran has to do is wait for the Americans to leave, and they'll have the southern part of the country as a new de facto territory.

Bush is just stalling the inevitable and trying to provoke a confrontation. If Iran continues to ignore Bush, we'll just go away.

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. Iran may ignore *,

but I sincerely doubt that * will return the compliment.

[leveymg]

5. You and I and they know that Bush is the lamest Duck

He and Cheney have already been removed in place. The neocons are all either in jail, under indictment, fired, retired, transferred or material witnesses to federal felonies. Their replacements at DoD, CIA and State aren't true-believers.

Who's going to carry out the war plans?

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. He is, unfortunately, still CIC.

Do you really thing that the field commanders will mutiny, refuse to obey orders if he orders a strike on Iran?

[ShortnFiery]

18. He also has Big money and most of the M$M catapulting his propaganda

re: Iran's so dangerous.

NO! THE TRUTH ===> The fact that Iraq is negotiating with Iran OPENLY is the hidden agenda. That is, little USA corporate profit will be made if we permit the Democratically Elected Leaders to negotiate and do business with Iran. The thought of Iran gets a slice of the energy and reconstruction pie is *sheer terror* to USA Big Oil and USA Reconstruction Corporate entities. :thumbsup:

[leveymg]

20. No, but the JCS and their staff already have.

Here's my reasoning on this: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/1/10/121241/862

If we start to see resignations among the Chiefs, head for the hills.

[ShortnFiery]

22. Although both Iran and Iraq are mostly Shia, do not underestimate NATIONALISM

There's no reason for Iran to invade Iraq when they can be good neighbors. As long as the Americans stay all the hatred is focused on our wannabe energy and reconstruction empire. If we can wrest this disgusting greed from our corporate elite, our soldiers can come home tomorrow.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

6. The Irony is rich isn't it?

If Iran wants to quit playing a destructive role in the affairs of Iraq and wants to play a constructive role, we would certainly welcome that," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Who has caused the MOST destruction in Iraq n the last 4 years?
eom

ps- Impeach, Impeach, Impeach!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ShortnFiery]

7. What makes perfect sense is that Iran is Iraq's neighbor, not the empiric USA.

The USA's Unitary Executive and the Pentagon (PLUS some Congress members invested up to their eyeballs in the war machine) are sweating bullets as MANY deals are being made out in the open within this Democratically Elected Government.

The only way Dear Leader and his Oil Crones can STOP all those lucrative energy contracts from being re-written to benefit Iran is to 1) Kill Iranians in Iraq on sight and call them "terrorists" ; and 2) bomb the hell out of Iran BEFORE the populace is educated that their TRUE FEAR is not that the Iranians will get the bomb (closest sane estimation is 5 years) but that *all those lucrative energy contracts* are coming IRAN's way,

i.e., oil, electricity and reconstruction issues are *all* on the table between Iraq's and Iran's leaders. :wow:

Dear Leader, et. al., are scared out of their pocketbooks. YES, they must act NOW!

BE ADVISED fellow Americans that this is all a ruse for our corporate elites to hold onto those contracts.

Wake-up and smell the power elites' Propaganda Machine in full swing! They're spreading fear of terror, but their true FEAR is missing out on making Billions Upon Billions in Energy contracts. Why the hell do you think they whipped us into a frenzy to invade Iraq in the first place? :shrug:

[sabra]

8. Iraq's Deputy PM to US & Iran - leave us alone!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2707331&mesg_id=2707331

[jpak]

10. "If Iran dares to attack our radio stations then we will be forced to invade"

So sayth the Great Decider

Operation Barbarossa 2

:nuke:

[ShortnFiery]

14. Oh man, you are as warped as me ...

maybe even more sow? :rofl: :P

If we didn't laugh we would cry. :shrug:

[progressivebydesign]

12. That fucker's going to do it, isn't he? He's going to war with Iran.

And his latest rouse is the supposed Iranians in Iraq. Gosh..sounds all murky like the clusterfuck wherein Saddam "gassed his own people", and the details are still being sorted out on THAT one.

[Lerkfish]

16. take it to the bank.

[ama]

15. george galloway warns against action in Iran

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MWR0tavb-zo

[earthside]

17. Brenda Starr on CNN ...

... just gave a big report on the "clear trail" of evidence pointing to Tehran's involvement in Iraq.

Here we go again -- the Bush-ordered attack is going to happen (in my opinion).

[ShortnFiery]

19. We can stop it THIS TIME!

First, all of us with broadband go to the article and rate it ONE Star, i.e., not at all.

Second, email ALL your Congressional Representatives that *Bombing IRAN is NOT AN OPTION.* Further, respectfully demand that a binding resolution be passed that Bush must come and get permission from Congress before taking ANY action (bombing, targeted assassination) with Iran.

Dammit people, we can stop this! We all (Americans) have the blood of tens of thousands of INNOCENT Iraqis on our hands, do we want the curse of also killing INNOCENT IRANIANS? If we let this happen it will not be for an honorable reason. Dear leader will bomb the hell out of Iran ONLY because our corporate elite has a hard-on to have a monopoly on Iraqi's energy and reconstruction. :grr:

[BushOut06]

21. How?

With a bunch of angry words? We could all gather in front of the White House with pitchforks and torches, and this fucker wouldn't care. All he has to do is pick up the phone and give the word to the carrier groups that are already stationed over there.

[ShortnFiery]

23. We have to try. At least email our Congress. That takes little effort

but will remind them that their jobs are not intact because the American People, despite the Pentagon led M$M KNOW that we are being LIED TO.

It will make a difference, IMO. If it makes no difference, at least we can look ourselves in the mirror each day as thousands of INNOCENT IRANIANS are needlessly slaughtered.

We owe OUR SOLDIERS and the innocents in Iran at least that much, i.e., to email our Congress. :shrug:

[IndianaGreen]

25. Our Fuehrer is off on another of his delusional tirades!

As King Henry II once said, who will free us from this troublesome priest, or President in Bush's case.