Posted on 05/09/2006 4:26:24 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, May 9, 2006 – Diplomacy is the best way to confront Iran's nuclear program, but President Bush said today in Sun City Center, Fla., he won't rule out other options if that falls through.
"We will continue to work through diplomatic channels to make it clear that we mean what we say," Bush said in response to a question posed during his visit to the sprawling retirement community to discuss the Medicare prescription drug benefit. "And obviously, part of making the diplomacy work is what will be the consequences if the Iranians decide not to listen to the rational demands of the world."
Bush avoided spelling out exactly what those consequences could be. "I think it's very important for good negotiators to keep their cards close to the vest and at the appropriate time, make it clear what our intentions are," he said.
The best way to lay "the foundation for peace," regarding Iraq and other world situations, is to encourage the spread of freedom, the president said. "The cornerstone of my foreign policy is the belief that freedom is universal," he said.
"Freedom has changed the world in incredible ways," the president said, noting the impact it's had on Japan, Europe and other parts of the world that once lived under tyranny. "Freedom has the capacity to change enemies into friends," he said. "We must not lose sight of the historical examples."
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addressed the Iran issue yesterday after meeting with British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett in New York and before meeting with her counterparts from Britain, Russia, China, France, Germany and the European Union to discuss Iran.
"This is a time for the international community to come together to say to the Iranians with very great clarity that it is time for Iran to accede to the demands of the international community." Rice said. "The Iranians can have a civil nuclear program, but they need to do so in a way that gives confidence to the international community that they are not seeking a nuclear weapon under the cover of civilian nuclear power."
The Kibuki Dance continues
And 11 years and 17 resolutions later, maybe we will do something.
Hope we and the UN have learned from Iraq. No, probably not.
He's obviously not taking this very seriously.
That is such utter BS! This administration is taking the WOT extremely serious. It is the rest of the world (most of it) along with most of our Congress that is not.
The notion that Iran needs to be bombed yesterday (or in a very short time frame ahead) is simply not the only option.
Lastly as this CIC said days after 9-11...this WOT will be fought at the times and places of our choosing!...not our enemies and not at the time frames of armchair generals.
It is you that isn't taking these words seriously.
That's kinda what he said about North Korea. Hmmmm .... say, I wonder what ever happened to that crazy sob, KJI? He's sure been awful quiet lately.
This nation's fate hangs in the balance.
Defend us Pres. Bush.
I'm all for diplomacy.
Gunboat diplomacy.
Yep of the upgraded Iowa Class
Bush is right on this. I think the rest of the world will really gel against us if we go after Iran alone and pre-emptively.
And "Islam is a noble religion of peace."
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