Condoleezza Rice - AFP Photo
Posted on 07/14/2006 12:34:19 AM PDT by familyop
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is calling on Israel to exercise restraint in its ongoing military offensive to free kidnapped Israeli soldiers. She says Syria and Iran must stop backing terrorists.
Condoleezza Rice - AFP Photo
Secretary Rice would not comment specifically on the Israeli bombing of Beirut's airport, repeating the Bush Administration stance that Israel has the right to defend itself against missile strikes launched from Lebanese territory.
But as Israel exercises that right of self defense, Rice says it is important that Israeli leaders exercise restraint and avoid civilian casualties.
Click here to see map of conflict
Rice says the Bush Administration understands that Israel is launching attacks so far inside Lebanon to prevent those who kidnapped two Israeli soldiers from moving them beyond Israel's reach.
Speaking to reporters traveling with President Bush in Germany, Rice said some countries, including Egypt, have been playing a very positive role in working to resolve the crisis by bringing parties together.
She says there is no doubt that others, namely Syria and Iran, are encouraging those responsible for the kidnappings and missile attacks on Israeli territory. "We have to remember that both the external leadership of Hamas and a number of the Hezbollah activities are carried out from the territory of Syria, and Syria needs to act responsibly and stop the use of its territory for these kinds of activities and it needs to bring all pressure on those that it is harboring to stop this and to return these soldiers and to allow this situation to deescalate," he said.
Following talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Bush expressed concerns about how Israeli attacks inside Lebanon will affect the stability of the democratically-elected government in Beirut.
National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley says Israeli authorities understand the risks facing Prime Minister Faud Siniora. "We have had a number of comments and conversations about the need to try and shore-up and not destabilize the Siniora government in Lebanon. This is a good government that is trying to bring greater democracy and freedom to Lebanon. It has a lot of challenges. This is one more challenge that they do not need," he said.
Rice says the best opportunity now to deescalate the crisis is through a three-member United Nations delegation heading to the region.
I am getting real tired of this.
It complements the "Rice for President" threads. Heh.
This IS restrained. Wait until you see "miffed".
"Rice says the best opportunity now to deescalate the crisis is through a three-member United Nations delegation heading to the region."
More hot air, useless "dialog" and incompetent bumbling, sure, that's just what's needed.
I'm sure their solution to the problem will be Isreal giving up more land and concessions to the animals that surround them.
Obligatory finger shaking.
... but (and with all true, due respect, ma'am): button it.
(Ping)
She's being diplomatic, it's her job and she does it well. She knows Israel isn't obligated to comply, but her words soften the view of us in the world (a little perhaps).
(one would hope, anyway)
Hmmm if iran get's involved get ready for an Oilprice of 200 US $.
How much can your economy take ? How much can public opinion take ? there's not much support left for the war in iraq. And with a plummeting economy and a war on an undefinded number of frontieres and an undefined lot and kind of people - what's your perspective of wining the next elections ?
Restraint is surrender Ms. Rice...
We'd probably urge Tel Aviv to use restraint while the haji were sawing Israel's head off. Embarrassing.
Restraint just means "be careful watch out for civilians" it does NOT mean "stop, let the scum go".
Israel is a model of restraint. I don't know how they stand to live and fight with on hand tied behind their back.
Not a single quote from Secretary Rice in the article. I wonder what her actual words were.
Anyway, she's State Department now. Diplo-Talk.
...related.
Harper Backs Israel [Canadian Prime Minister comments.]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1665474/posts
Also related,...
Israel didn't start it: Howard [Australian Prime Minister]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1665309/posts
It is. It's like that old Mad Magazine feature - "What They Say - And What They Really Mean".
Disagree. Carpet-bombing is out, caring about innocent civilian lives is in. The CIC would order to destroy the attackers, but not "a good chunk of their population" - except it´s a nuclear war... or maybe the enemy kills many many American civilians.
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