Posted on 07/13/2006 6:04:47 AM PDT by Sabramerican
Bush says Israel has right to defend itself but urges restraint
By Haaretz Service and News Agencies
U.S. President George W. Bush said on Thursday that Israel had a right to defend itself against terrorist acts but it should not weaken the Beirut government.
"Israel has the right to defend herself," Bush told a news conference after a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Secondly, whatever Israel does should not weaken the...government in Lebanon."
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The president's comment came in response to the escalating violence between Israel and Lebanon, on Thursday after IAF warplanes carried out strikes in Lebanon in retalliation to Hezbollah's abduction of two soldiers a day earlier.
On Thursday, a U.S. administration official gave a response on condition of anonymity regarding the crisis.
"We are urging restraint on both sides, recognizing Israel's right to defend itself," the Uofficial said.
The European Union on Thursday called on all sides to halt the renewed violence in the Middle East and take care to avoid more civilian casualties.
"I've always felt that Israel has a right to ensure its security but I've also said that disproportionate attacks are not useful," EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel told reporters.
"I regret the fact that the reaction was disproportionate."
EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin said EU foreign ministers could discuss on Monday whether the IDF attacks on Lebanon were compatible with the bloc's trade and cooperation agreement with Israel, which is conditional on respect for international law.
She stressed, however, that the EU recognized "Israel's right to defend itself." Israel's military action came after a cross-border raid by Hezbollah guerillas in which two Israeli soldiers were captured and several others were killed.
(Excerpt) Read more at haaretz.com ...
Israel should kill those who are trying to kill Israel before their enemies get a chance to be successful, the POTUS notwithstanding.
Restraint, when you have Israel's miniscule, indefensible borders is suicide.
They should fly upon their enemies and annihilate them, to include the reactors of Iran.
Meanwhile, in the real world, Israel receives from the US all the weaponry and actual support she needs to fight her just battle.
It constantly amazes me that some in this forum can lose sight of the bigger picture so quickly over a few meaningless words said in a press conference.
Where I come from action speaks much louder than words and our President's actions, when it comes to fighting terrorism, cannot, and should not, be questioned by those of us sitting comfortably on the sidelines cloaked in ignorance of what is REALLY happening behind the scenes.
We had to destroy the Nazi regime and later radically reorganize the Japanese system.
The governments of Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and even Egypt and Jordan are something less than represntative. Whatever they are they certainly aren't systems of government based upon individual freedom.
"I wonder if terrorists were firing rockets into Texas and Arizona from Mexico whether the USA would "exercise restraint" - I think not, unless the DIMS were in charge."
~~~
We'd have to rely on the Minutemen. /sarcasm ON
I am fairly certain that many people do not realize that the President has got to say these kinds of mealy-motuhed diplomatic things with his "public face" but that his "private face", on the phone to Olmert, is likely saying something completely different, like, "You do whatever you feel that you need to do; we're behind you."
I hate it, too, but I at least understand it.
Shoot, we rely on the Minutemen already!
Alright, Israel won't break out the neutron bombs just yet.
restraint = no nukes just yet
I'm beginning to doubt whether Bush would put up a fight if Mexico went foward with an all-out invasion. Now he is essentially paying lip service to direct provocations from North Korea and Iran and urging Israel to do the same.
Israel need to take Damascus now and put an end to it.
But the problem is you can't 'clean it out'. There will always be terrorists, people who give their lives to create destruction. It's not like one day there will be no terrorists anymore because they are all dead.
I beg to differ. Keep your nose in it Mr. President. Be ready to help Israel with ammunition and new weapons when they start to run low. You might be called on to provide around the clock, 24/7, airlift support. Just like we did in the Yom Kipper war.
Kill more terrorists, faster. Israel should forget about "restraint" and focus on victory.
IF you would read more closely...what I was saying is this:
"President Bush has no business telling Israel to keep restraint....Israel has been fighting wars longer than he is old"....now what part of that comment did you NOT understand????
As far as being ready to back up Israel, thats stupid of you to even consider....OF COURSE AMERICA will back Israel up....
What school did you go to....just wondering....
"Israel need to take Damascus now and put an end to it."
It doesn't end at Damascus though...
They need nukey, as the muzzies do not have good sects!
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