Posted on 02/15/2007 4:06:58 AM PST by familyop
The Navy admiral tapped to take command of U.S. forces in the Middle East said any speculation of war with Iran is "unhelpful" and only serves to "up the ante of fear and uncertainty."
Adm. William J. Fallon told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday that Iraq and Afghanistan are priority tasks for the United States in the Middle East. Fighting a war with Iran is not something the U.S. wants, he said.
"Some in the world are talking some fear of alleged imminent attack by the U.S. on Iran," Fallon said. It "serves no good purpose, (is) unhelpful, distracting and just serving to up the ante of fear and uncertainty."
Speculation that the U.S. may be planning to attack Iran rose this year after President Bush announced plans to send an additional aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf region.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates later said the carrier and its accompanying ships were sent to show Tehran that the Iraq war was not making the U.S. vulnerable.
The United States also has accused Iran of supplying money, weapons components and training to Shiite militia in Iraq, as well as technology for roadside bombs. Iran has denied the allegations, saying it only has political and religious links with Iraqi Shiites.
Fallon, who has been confirmed by the Senate to succeed Army Gen. John Abizaid at the Central Command next month, spoke at his Pacific Command headquarters from where he oversees U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific region.
Fallon reiterated U.S. allegations that Iran is responsible for supporting some of the violence in Iraq. But he expressed hope Tehran would change course and start to play a constructive role.
"Of significant note, I believe, is the role that Iran is playing directly or indirectly, in fomenting, perpetuating, instability inside Iraq," Fallon said.
Fallon said he believed Iran could help lower violence in Iraq and Afghanistan - countries on either side of Tehran's borders - but he hadn't yet seen any sign Iran was willing to lend its assistance.
"I believe that Iran could and should be playing a significant part. How that comes about remains to be seen," Fallon said. "But the idea that we have yet another conflict in this region strikes me as not where we want to go, and not what we want to be engaged in."
The admiral, who will be the first sailor to lead the Central Command, said he looks forward to seeking suggestions from people in the region on how Iran could help lower the violence.
U.S. military leaders "are trying to determine exactly what kind of role Iran is going to play in the future - whether they will be helpful or unhelpful, the degree which they will cooperate in efforts to stabilize Iraq," Fallon said.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Fallon's nomination to head the Tampa, Fla.-based Central Command last week. But he's not expected to take command of U.S. troops in the Middle East until early next month.
Fallon has headed the Pacific Command overseeing U.S. forces across the Asia-Pacific region for nearly two years, where he placed a priority on expanding military exchanges with China to reduce the potential for miscalculation on either side.
He also oversaw the reestablishment two years ago of military-to-military ties with Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation. Washington cut off military ties with Jakarta in 1999 when Indonesian troops ravaged East Timor during the territory's break from the archipelago.
Considering the fact that the talk is mostly the result of speculation and lying on the part of media and democrats, I gotta agree.
The Admiral is correct. What we need are people, especially politicians to shut the hell up instead launching preemtive verbal assaults on our military mission.
You move as many assets into a region as we have ...will get people talking.
We don't really have any attractive offensive options against Iran. Iran knows that. The Administration knows that. Neither side wants to escalate, and the admiral is just making sure that it doesn't happen unintentionally due to careless talk that gets misinterpreted.
I heard a secret report from the highest anonymous official about what will happen after we conquer Iran. Our leaders are going to imprison the Iranian clerics and other politicians in a San Francisco facility after their long trip to the USA with our Navy. ;) And all Iranians will be forced to convert away from their religion.
I think he's talking about "fear and uncertainty" in Americans...not Iranians....
The statement of Adm. Fallon - a good man - did not, it would seem, rule out in any way military action against Iran if deemed appropriate.
It affirmed the meddling of Iran in Iraq including being the origin of weapon materials.
The statement merely reiterated the hope that Iran would change its behavior; and that military action against Iran remains one of the last resorts.
The Democrats and DBM are lucky that Bush is not as heavy-handed as they pretend he is.
Among other things,the Censorship rules
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