The Times January 31, 2007
Tom Baldwin in Washington and Richard Beeston
Divisions are emerging in the West’s united front towards Iran with fears being voiced over the aggressive military posture adopted by America, while European allies are accused by the US of dragging their feet.
A diplomatic source in Wash-ington toldThe Times: “It is difficult to imagine Bush and Cheney leaving office without resolving the Iranian issue, if necessary, by force.”
Although the prospect of “precipitate action” by the US is discounted widely, some Western governments are said to be alarmed at events spiral-ling out of control.
Last week Mr Bush authorised US troops to “kill or capture” Iranians found operating inside Iraq’s borders. This week he reiterated that the US “will respond firmly” if Iran continues to interfere in Iraq. He emphasised that did not necessarily mean that he was planning to “invade Iran” and that the US is still pursuing a negotiated settlement through the United Nations to eliminate Tehran’s suspected nuclear weapons programme.
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2575797,00.html