Posted on 02/01/2006 10:45:07 AM PST by GeneD
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - President George W. Bush vowed on Wednesday the United States will rise to Israel's defense if needed against Iran and denounced Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for "menacing talk" against Israel.
In a Reuters interview aboard Air Force One en route to Nashville, Bush also said he saw a "very good chance" that the governing board of the International Atomic Energy Agency will refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions.
"I am concerned about a person that, one, tries to rewrite the history of the Holocaust, and two, has made it clear that his intentions are to destroy Israel," Bush said.
"Israel is a solid ally of the United States, we will rise to Israel's defense if need be. So this kind of menacing talk is disturbing. It's not only disturbing to the United States, it's disturbing for other countries in the world as well," he added.
Asked if he meant the United States would rise to Israel's defense militarily, Bush said: "You bet, we'll defend Israel."
Ahmadinejad has prompted international condemnation for anti-Israel rhetoric in recent weeks, including saying it should be wiped off the map, and also calling into question the Holocaust.
Iran is engaged in a stand-off over its nuclear program. Tehran insists its program is aimed at developing nuclear power and the United States and other international powers charge it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Asked if he thought the IAEA will refer Iran to the Security Council, Bush said: "The IAEA must take a look at the facts, and listen carefully to the arguments, and there's a very good chance it will."
The council's five permanent members, including a reluctant Russia and China, this week agreed to ask the U.N. nuclear watchdog to report Iran to New York immediately.
Bush also said he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran and would not say how Putin feels about a Security Council referral. "He understands the threat, and we share the same goal," he said.
The IAEA's governing board will decide at an emergency meeting in Vienna on Thursday whether to report Iran to the Security Council.
-Eric
So I wonder just how livid GWB's strong support for Israel made some of the liberal American Jews or Jewish anti-zionists. Sadly, there are too many Jews who share Buchanan's position on this issue. Indeed, even one is too many, IMO.
American policy under Pres Bush reflected the desires of most Israelis including its leadership. Like it or not the reality is that PM Sharon called for separation and a Palestinian State. You can't be more Catholic than the PopeThere's some here who seem to think that Sharon is some sort of traitor to Israel.
-Eric
The PLO representative on FreeRepublic has been heard from.
You call what I wrote bashing?
Cite one word that I wrote that was not the truth.
Almost funny to read that in print.
Just cauz: Where did the phrase "Beat around the bush" come from???????
Just cauz: Where did the phrase "Beat around the bush" come from???????
It's already there.
Another shot, that will be heard 'round the world.
"Sharon was responding to the Saudi Plan and the "Road Map".
Sharon was responding to the Israeli Left and the escalation of terror.
"Even as wrong as Sharon was, which recent events have just begun to prove, his plan was contingent on a Bush promise to recognize certain Israeli positions including vis a vis the "West Bank". Promises now disavowed by the Administration."
No. PM Sharon made his plan known in his speech at the Herziliyah Conference in 12/03 to a suprised audience way before Pres Bush made any promises in 4/04, promises I still believe are in place by the way.
http://www.ipcri.org/files/sharonherzliyeh2003.html (Sharon Disengagement)
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/BushSharon0404.html (Bush major settlements)
"If you don't believe Hamas to the East and West and Hazballah to the North, is an existential threat to Israel- especially when Islamics make inroads in Jordan and Egypt- wait and see."
Do you believe Hamas and Hezbollah pose the same threat to Israel as a nuclear Iran?
No Sharon wasn't a traitor.
He was an old man with a brain disease who under tremendous pressure made some terrible decisions.
If Israel falls it will be by the hand of her immediate neighbors.
How convenient that the Israeli missiles are tipped with Neutron warheads.
Yes and no. I fear a nuke in the hands of an Iranian armed Hezbollah. Ditto the US.
With their faith in Allah, and now an inexhaustable supply of Venezuelan Beaver Cheese, nothing can stand in their way!
Thousands of Israeli men, women and toddlers were not murdered in recent years directly by Iran.
No, but by Arabs - Iranians do consist of Arabs
They were murdered by the allies, friends and colleagues of a man you honored and praised in the White House.
Name one person killed by any allied force that has sworn to PROTECT Israel - Patriot Missle Defence System ring a bell?
You were the first sitting President to call for the birth of a terrorist state at Israel's throat. A terrorist state that will now be ruled by Islamic fanatics identical to and allied with Al Quida and Iran. NO, I don't think it was an American President that decided to give up land in Gaza... do really think so? It was our elections that made a turn for Hamas?
Cheap talk about Iran, Mr President. Reminds we of Bill Clinton's vow to man an Israeli foxhole.
Clinton couldn't man an Israeli foxhole unless it was female - Second It isn't our President that's talking, it's Iran that is threatening your very existance.
Sincerely, Doubtfully
You cannot come up with one policy under George W. Bush that cannot go through congress. He isn't Emporer / King / Dictator. I don't know where you are from but we are a Constitutional Republic, not a Theocracy or a Dictatorship.
You have a problem of displaced anger... Get some therapy
"You bet, we'll defend Israel."
Then why did he have Condi demand that Hamas be allowed to run in the election?
Why has he had Condi demand that Israel kick Jews out of their homes?
Sheesh.
We agree that Israel is in danger.
Let's put it this way: suppose Iran existed as is but Israel was surrounded by Canada. Would Israel's survival be in danger?
I say no.
It is what George Bush is hell bent on creating, a terrorist State on both Israel's East and West, that poses a danger to Israel's survival. That State will get help, not just from Iran.
I concern myself with a nuke in the hands of one of the antichrists (one of the supposed 12th immams, in a hurry to take his crown upon his head).
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