All options open, US warns 'rogue' countries

Financial Times ^ | December 2 2003

[Mossad1967]

The Bush administration on Tuesday defended its strategy of pre-emptive action against Iraq - even while admitting that US intelligence had been imperfect - and warned that the US was ready to use all options against five other "rogue states".

John Bolton, under-secretary of state for arms control and international security, singled out Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya and Cuba as being "hostile to US interests" during a speech in Washington.

Mr Bolton, known as a hardliner, also cautioned negotiating partners in Asia and Europe that the US remained sceptical over efforts to induce North Korea and Iran to abide by nuclear safeguard commitments, amid reluctance to take firmer action.

Focusing on Iran and North Korea, the remaining members of what President George W. Bush has dubbed the "axis of evil", Mr Bolton questioned Tehran's commitment to the agreement it reached last month with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Hassan Rohani, an Iranian official who negotiated Iran's acceptance of comprehensive UN inspections, made clear on Saturday that Tehran intended to resume its uranium enrichment programme. He said Iran would provide its own fuel for at least one of the eight reactors it intended to build.

A resolution passed by the IAEA last week - a compromise between European carrots and the US stick - "requests" Iran to adhere to its voluntary suspension of all enrichment and reprocessing activities, two routes that can lead to building a nuclear weapon.

A senior Iranian official told the Financial Times that hardline clerics had warned they would pull out of its commitments to the IAEA if Iran was not allowed to pursue uranium enrichment, under supervision, as entitled to do so under international agreements.

Mr Bolton expressed doubt over Pyongyang's readiness to resume six-party talks in Beijing this month. He defended Japan's insistence that it raise the issue of its abducted citizens at the talks and said attempts by North Korea to delay the negotiations "should be rejected". In general, he said, the US would pursue diplomatic solutions when possible, while also deploying more robust methods such as the interdiction and seizure of illicit goods.

"If rogue states are not willing to follow the logic of non-proliferation norms, they must be prepared to face the logic of adverse consequences," Mr Bolton said. "It is why we repeatedly caution that no option is off the table."

He acknowledged that US intelligence over covert weapons of mass destruction programmes was "not perfect", and noted that no such weapons had yet been found in Iraq. Still, he insisted the US invasion was justified.

[Mossad1967]

It's the only way to go!!!

[BenLurkin]

It is the only way, and now (when the proverbial waster matter is hitting the fan) we really need those Army, Navy and Air Force assets which the corrupt former President saw fit to dissolve.

This is not the kind of trouble that I and others predicted might happen (e.g. a general war in Korea or Taiwan), but the need is just as real.

[AdamSelene235]

singled out Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya and Cuba

When do kill the Saudis? You know they guys who bankrolled Al Queda, bought nuclears weapons for Pakistan, and are currently massing fighter planes near Israel.

When?

[Always Right]

John Bolton, under-secretary of state for arms control and international security, singled out Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya and Cuba as being "hostile to US interests" during a speech in Washington.

What about France?

[eyespysomething]

I think they are being dealt with in a different way, a more diplomatic way.

I don't think for a minute the Bush admin thinks they are our friends, do you?

[demlosers]

John Bolton, under-secretary of state for arms control and international security, singled out Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya and Cuba as being "hostile to US interests" during a speech in Washington.

And Cuba too. Ya hier that Fidel?

[AdamSelene235]

I think they are being dealt with in a different way, a more diplomatic way.

Iraq is merely a staging ground for our invasion of Saudi.

[AdamSelene235]

I think they are being dealt with in a different way, a more diplomatic way.

Iraq is merely a staging ground for our invasion of Saudi.

[FairOpinion]

Related article with a little more info and a bit different slant:

U.S. to seize WMD on high seas
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1032591/posts


The under secretary said recent interdiction training exercises hosted by Australia, Britain, Spain and France will be followed by concerted action to stop trafficking in WMD and missile technologies. The activities are part of a new Proliferation Security Initiative announced by President Bush in Poland in May.

While 11 countries initially joined together to create the PSI, Bolton said more than 50 countries have now signaled that they are ready to participate with interdiction efforts.

"Properly planned and executed, the interception of critical technologies can prevent hostile states and terrorists from acquiring these dangerous capabilities," Bolton said. "At a minimum, interdiction can lengthen the time that proliferators will need to acquire new weapons capabilities."

[Blzbba]

When their oil supply runs out.

[AdamSelene235]

When their oil supply runs out.

No, when their oil supply is blown sky high by Al Queda.

[b4its2late]

What about France?

By going after Iran, North Korea, Syria, Libya and Cuba you will destroy the French economy also since France deals with them through arms and technology sales (and who knows what else)..... No one else will buy their crap.

[Blzbba]

"No, when their oil supply is blown sky high by Al Queda."


That's an impossibility, as the oil supply is large and underground.

[appalachian_dweller]

This is just a bunch of hot air. If we were serious, we'd already be in Syria, Lebanon Libya, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Sudan. The ‘pending’ Iranian revolution would be over, North Korea would be a smoking, radioactive hole in the ground, and Taiwan would be independent.

Oh yea, and our borders would be secure.

[eyespysomething]

With our being in Iraq, and Afganistan, I have to wonder if the big catch was always Iran? They were obviously further along in nuclear "plants" than Iraq, and the admin had to have known that. They had to have known that Al-Qeada would have run into Iran as well as Pakistan. Maybe its a noose thing with Iraq for Iran?

Maybe I don't know squat compared to what the admin. knows, but I love playing what if maybe coulda woulda shoulda.

[AdamSelene235]

Oh, the oil would still be there. But blowing a key facility the size of say, the Abqaiq extralight crude complex, would take 5 million barrels a day off the market. You wouldn't be able to rebuild the facility in time to prevent significant economic effects.

[MattinNJ]

And Cuba too. Ya hier that Fidel?

Amen. That #$%&^& is way overdue for the biggest delayed reaction ass kicking in history-plus it would lock up Florida.

[Psalm 73]

This is the stuff that drives the Libs absolutely CRAZY - I love it !!!

[thinktwice]

Speaking of French "crap," I did a Google search for stories about the French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle, and found that the stories are being pulled from the internet. The one advertised with the words ...

Charles de Gaulle. This French aircraft carrier broke its port propeller on its first long-distance trials ...

... has, for instance, been pulled.

The thing was launched in 1994 and -- apparently -- it's still not seaworthy.