Bush White House Won't Cite Evidence of Iran Backing for Hizbullah

Geostrategy Direct Backgrounder ^ | August 2nd 2006 | Washington Times Pentagon reporter Bill Getrz

[gopwinsin04]

Bush White House won't cite evidence of Iran backing for Hizbullah

The Bush administration appears to be playing down the significant role played by Iran in supplying arms and other support to Hizbullah in Lebanon, apparently a result of the dominance of diplomats in the corridors of power.

Nicholas Burns, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, is said to be the leading soft-line official within the administration who favors the current policy of avoiding a major expose of Teheran's involvement in the Lebanon fighting.

Burns’ power is said to be increasing under Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who, like her predecessor, has delegated much authority for policymaking to career bureaucrats.

The Pentagon policymakers are preoccupied with Iraq and are wary of any actions between Israel and Hizbullah that would require a commitment of troops or other direct U.S. military involvement.

According to intelligence officials, there is ample proof that Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps operatives are involved in regular arms shipments from several locations in Iran, including Bandar Abbas.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

"You really think the Bush administration is acting according to polls?"

Are you saying Rove doesn't use polls? Give me a break, he uses them all the time. Do you want proof?

[Coop]

The only pathetic thing I see is how many people are swallowing this stuff hook, line and sinker.

It doesn't matter what the man does to protect our national security. Folks are just lined up, ready to believe whatever nonsense is sent our way.

[discostu]

Makes sense to me. Unless we're ready for an invasion of Iran right now there's nothing tobe gained from it. And in fact if Israel wins linking Iran to Hezbollah could damage possible future support for an invasion of Iran, as people against the war will be able to say Israel "took care of the problem". Can't just think about today, also have to consider all possible tomorrows.

[A CA Guy]

President Bush need not show his cards so liberals, Euro-trash and others can make excuses and cover all bases with false witnesses.

[Teacher317]

Could be good reasons... does it reveal a source, a technological capability, or put an weak ally in harm's way?

Or it could be GWB showing a jelly-spine again, like on the borders issue. =^/

[siunevada]

So, how much difference would it make if someone spoke up and said The Emperor Has No Clothes?

Everyone knows the truth about Hezbollah.

Will anything change because the White House speaks the words in public?

Doesn't seem likely.

[gondramB]

Robert morton who apparently runs this newsletter has been pushing a confrontation with Iran for year - this sounds like what he used to say about President Clinton.

I'd like another source before I condemn President Bush.

Here is some of Morton's older writing on the subject

http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/m-7.html

He tells how he got so involved with Iran - I'm not saying he doesn't have a point about the threat from Iran - just that I'd like another source before I go condemning the Preisdent.

>>Visiting Tehran in late 1978 as an American correspondent left indelible memories of a society in radical transformation Writing stories by candlelight in a hotel stricken by the nightly power outages is one image that comes to mind as is having a camera stripped of its film by Iranian troops guarding the American embassy.<<

[SFC Chromey]

So what does that make her? A figurehead?

---

Reminds me of a song by Stuck Mojo about Clinton called, "Crooked Figurehead".

[Candor7]

Bush has NOT been downplaying Iran's role one bit in his very public statements. This is a disingenous article>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yep, Bushie playin' for time. Doing the old thumb twirl as the Israelis get ready to take Hezbollah down. These last few days have been used for logistics and supply of Israel'shopping list to the USA.

Meanwhile the Iranians have decided to back a cease fire, with the Lebanese and Hezbollah speaking tough and baiting Condi Rice.

Who's got Koffi? No one. He has burned ALL of his bridges on both sides.

Israel is ramping up.

If the US had any balls it would catch the Syrian Army, now arrayed along the Syrian Lebanon border , by surprise with devastaing air strikes from Ieaq. Destroying the Syrian army utterly from the air.

The Israelis could go in and clean up the Syrian Army in a week and be back inside of Lebanon in two shakes of A Camels tail.

That is what needs to be done.

Just put in 5 SOG teams to uise the laser designators and put a constant tac air presence over the Syrian Leb border. Over in a week.

[Tulsa Ramjet]

What are you talking about?
That if it is reported that Bush is pushing diplomacy, then it is an inaccurate farce and Bush has other intentions?

Or if it is reported that Bush is pushing diplomacy, it is part of a grand plan to relax the area so that focus can go back on Iran for the next 30 days?

What is it ol' soothsayer?

Bush needs to stay on track with Israel, and clean out the rats. Battle them there, or here. No time to relax. Worked in Germany and Japan in WWII.

[Pukin Dog]

A lot of dumb responses on this thread.

One of the prime rules of information, is that it is difficult to disclose information without ALSO disclosing how you GOT the information.

I don't think we want Iran knowing HOW we get proof of their activities.

Think, people.

[GodGunsGuts]

That's probably because all weapons roads will eventually lead to Russia/Red China.

[Darkwolf377]

I'm a little confused by the reaction to this. We freak out when the NYT leaks information the Administration is trying to keep secret, but when it comes out they're trying not to talk about a situation they're in the middle of, it's what, a cover-up by Bush?

[NY Attitude]

So what does that make her? A figurehead? But she's a woman, and a minority. That makes her a lousy figurehead in the viciously racist and misogynistic middle east.

The only woman in modern times that the leaders of the ME listened to was Golda. She had the power to kick their collective a$$es.

[camas]

the only ones pushing this are the RATS

[funkywbr]

But Bush wants US to believe Iran is developing WMDs?

[seasoned traditionalist]

Bush White House won't cite evidence of Iran backing for Hizbullah<<

Maybe the information is classified or would expose methods or sources.

Sorry, that one won't wash.

W, Foggy Bottom and/or Pentagon could simply issue a statement and then decline to be any more specific.

Its not like the world does not know that Iran is furnishing and directing the Hezzies.

First they have solid evidence that WMD's were spirited from IRAQ to Syria and refuse to rock the boat and now this.

W AND HIS BAND OF GIRLIE MEN

[Goreknowshowtocheat]

When has the State Department done anything but make future wars more dramatic by preventing the address of problems when they are small? This is the history of state departments. They are the original PC people.

[uncbob]

That's probably because all weapons roads will eventually lead to Russia/Red China.

Nah Bush looked Putin in the eyes and saw a good guy and Nixon opened the USA up to Red China ( unfortunately REAGAN did nothing to end it )so they must be OK

[seasoned traditionalist]

"You really think the Bush administration is acting according to polls? Do you think you have a better grasp on geopolitics than our own State Department? War in Iran would jeopardize our efforts in Iraq and would harm the stability of the Saudis and Pakistanis."

Really? And how would a nuclear device being exploded over Tel Aviv or a suitcase bomb going off in NY, NY, impact the "Stability" issue?

We have to face up to the fact that Iran is the biggest threat to world peace and sooner or later (and IMHO, the sooner the better) we are going to have to face them down and maybe even take them on militarily.