Bush administration is ``troubled'' by Israel's killing of Hamas leader

Associated Press ^ | 3-22-04 | BARRY SCHWEID, AP Diplomatic Writer

[Oldeconomybuyer]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration said Monday it was troubled by Israel's killing of Ahmed Yassin, a founder of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, and said it had no advance warning of the attack.

While not condemning Israel's attack, the State Department said it increases tensions and would make it harder to pursue peace in the Middle East. "We are troubled," spokesman Richard Boucher. However, he did not directly condemn Israel's killing of the spiritual leader of Hamas as he left a mosque in Gaza.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

"Troubled".

Diplo-speak for Yeeehhhhhhaaawwwwww!

[Pukin Dog]

Yeah, troubled that the head wasn't vaporized with the rest of him, giving them something to put in the coffin. They should have used one more missile.

[Piranha]

I agree. I'd rather hear them say that they "rejoice in" the killing, but I'm not too "troubled" by "troubled."

[dirtboy]

The Bush administration said Monday it was troubled by Israel's killing of Ahmed Yassin

I guess they have to make these kind of diplomatic utterances, but we're not gonna ask permission to pop bin Laden, and Israel should have the same leeway to deal with Hamas.

[xJones]

It is troubling. Why didn't they get the old murderous bugger years ago?

[A CA Guy]

Exactly correct with the proper amount of tolerance in your presentation. Thanks! :-)

[Kakaze]

" I agree. I'd rather hear them say that they "rejoice in" the killing, but I'm not too "troubled" by "troubled." "

I'd like to see a thumbs up and a shout of "Nice SHOT!"

[RightWhale]

Go ahead, Hamas, declare war on the US. Make our day.

[Recovering_Democrat]

While not condemning Israel's attack, the State Department said it increases tensions and would make it harder to pursue peace in the Middle East.

Read between the lines...this means the administration gives it a big THUMBS UP.

[No Blue States]

"We are troubled,"

I like Condi's response better but can live with troubled.

Troubled in this context is like when I have to reboot my PC because it locked up.

[truthandlife]

Hamas leader tells terrorists to target only US and Israel (11/17/2003)

Troubled....that we did not take out Khaled Mashaal, the head of the Hamas political office in Damascus too. Troubled that Yasser Arafat was not also taken out.

[goldstategop]

Richard Boucher is a world-class idiot. As a Clintonite holdover at State, this is exactly the kind of mealy-mouthed, double-talk and BS rhetoric one would expect from the likes of him! "Troubled," indeed. By what exactly? By the fact he was bumped off the planet, or by the fact he certainly wasn't someone who people think of as a "spiritual" guru? Trust me when I say the State Department would never condescend to appear "troubled" if the target happened to be Osama Bin Laden. Why then the double standard on terrorism when it comes to Israel? State believes its wrong for Americans to be killed but its kosher if Jews are murdered. After all, the guys the Israel's are selecting for targeted assassination are not really terrorists, they're "militants" or "activists." And its a not a good idea to Foggy Bottom to liquidate people who aren't described as terrorists. The semantics escape me but its reassuring to know State is as ever true to form. I would be surprised if they were for a moment, pro-Israel.

[finnman69]

Troubled that it took 3 rockets and not one.

[Rummyfan]

I suppose the Administration can't say He's dead and good riddance to bad rubbish! He had a lot of Israeli blood on his hands. Now if they would just take care of Yassir - who probably is afraid to step outside.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Yeah, troubled that the head wasn't vaporized with the rest of him, giving them something to put in the coffin. They should have used one more missile.

LOL!

You know, I heard some "expert" on the radio today, saying this is a bad move, because the "older" terrorists are a bit more reasonable, and if Israel kills the old guys off, they'll be replaced by much angrier "younger" terrorists. I about laughed my head off...but I was listening to the radio with my headsets in the gymnasium, and I didn't want to look like a maniac while on the treadmill.

[Rummyfan]

Here here!

[AmishDude]

No kidding about the diplo-speak. These things are very specific and the fact that it wasn't "condemned" basically does translate into a Yeee-haw!

[txhurl]

'Troubled' because now the road map to peace has to be updated and the powerpoint expert is on vacation for another two weeks.

[doug9732]

The US State department is always troubled when the Israelis defend themselves successfully. As an American I am troubled by the US State Department's gross incompetence.

[RightWhale]

a Clintonite holdover

Like Viacom's Dick Clark of this weekend's 60 Minutes fame.