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.
MSNBC reported this:
An Israeli minister has responded to Dr. Rice: 'We are under attack. We will do whatever we need to to defend ourselves.'
In another, later report Dr. Rice was saying that they need to get back to the Roadmap to Peace.
[IIRC, that Roadmap required Israel to give way much land and actually help the Palis, and that didn't work out very well in the first 5 years of the Bush Admin.]
What she wanted to say was, "Now is not the time to Nuc them."
"..we would destroy their capability to do that and a good chunk of their population. Is there any doubt what we would do to Cuba if they for instance attacked our territory?"
You know, AB, I wonder now. I really wonder about the resolve of our government.
What nonsense. I realize Condi is the chief diplomat...but it is past time for the roadmap. I really hope this administration does NOT waver.
FYI: Benjamin Netanyahu is coming up next on FOX.
Yeah, shut up Condi. Israel's been restraining itself since 1948.........
I know- and I appreciate all the dimensions of this situation. Nevertheless, public statements are to be taken at face value, and it's (IMO) insulting to tell Israel to behave with restraint.
"America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country." -- George W. Bush
God willing, neither will Israel.
So we both demand politicians that stand for the points they have found to be vital for a country - in certain questions they should stand in for them with their lives.
And certinaly it's especially important to seek the resolve and support of the people in a country going to any war. That's the most important job of a politian in charge.
If there's not trust in your leadership you need not try to go to war .
Finding the resolve and support of the nation was easy the days when war was war and a nations duties where clear to man and women.
But these days we are fighting a war on terror. Can you show that to me on a map - or better show me where it not is ?
And who are the guys we are fighting ?
What conditions have to be met to end it ?
I mean your absolutely right with your posting - but where's that resolve going to come from if you can't define the enemy clearly - if you can't define a contralable aim of the struggle ?
If we where at war with japan and just had to fight until they give up - then it would be easy to motivate people for support.
If you had elections next week - do you feel the resolve of your compatriots would be enough to elect a guy sending another let's say 500000 men to war ?
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.
also Keywords 2006israelwar or WOT [War on Terror]
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Who let the Kraut in here?
Exactly. Condi didn't tell Ehud to lay down his arms.
I say fire away!
I wish Mexico would launch a missile in our direction. The perfect scenario would be to have it land in the desert, and then we blow them off the planet.
When you have cowards like Hamas, Hezbollah and Al-Queda hidng behind innocent citizens, the innocents will have to die. There needs to be a great deal more coverage of this phenomenon. Of course the lamestreamersa won't do it, but there is enough variety of media now to get the simple truth out that that's how these cowards are operating.
It would not matter one iota if the Israelis carpet-bomb or nuke the bastards. The simple fact is that about 40% of the ragheads in the ME want to blow Israel off the face of the planet, and it's been that way for fifty years. Playing nice with them doesn't work, and getting tough doesn't work. The only thing the Islamofascists understand is death and destruction, and that's the only way to deal them - wipe them out. i hope Israel hits them with everything they've got.
As for Condi's remark, I view it as directed at the rest of the Arab world and that at the heart of it is the administration's concern for the price of a barrel of oil.
I wish they would. Israel needs to go "Hiroshima" on the bastards.
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