Posted on 11/11/2006 2:33:27 PM PST by MadIvan
WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert Gates, President Bush's choice to lead the Pentagon, has argued that the United States should be talking with Iran instead of shunning it.
He has said that U.S. spy agencies misled the president on whether Saddam Hussein harbored weapons of mass destruction — but he also thinks the nation should never launch another pre-emptive military strike without "unambiguous" intelligence.
Gates, a former CIA director, has expressed his beliefs during three decades of experience at the spy agency, the White House and at the helm of Texas A&M University. It's a trail of words that senators will pore over as they weigh his nomination to replace Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
As a participant in 2004 in a task force studying U.S. policy toward Iran, Gates concluded that overthrowing the religious government was unlikely without major military action. And U.S. military commitments as well as the political environment in the region made that a remote possibility, he said.
He argued for an approach that President Bush has resisted: talking to Tehran.
"Engagement could encourage Iran to adopt a more clear, positive attitude toward the new governments in Afghanistan and in Iraq, and it could also create opportunities for greater interaction between Iranians and the rest of the world," said Gates, who diplomatically stated at the outset that he didn't want his words to be viewed as criticism of the administration.
He also urged Washington to play an active role in the Middle East peace process. The Bush administration has been criticized for not making the peace process a priority.
In a 1994 newspaper column, Gates advocated bombing North Korea's nuclear reprocessing plant and backing the action with a swift reinforcement of military might in South Korea. Diplomacy — what Gates called "carrot-without-the-stick strategy" — had failed, he said. Today, the Bush administration is pinning its hopes on diplomacy, and has muted any talk of military threats against Pyongyang.
If confirmed by the Senate to be defense secretary, Gates will oversee a $470 billion budget and deal with conflicts facing the United States in the Middle East and beyond.
Gates began his career in Air Force intelligence and then worked as a CIA analyst. While climbing the ranks at the CIA, he took detours to serve on the National Security Council for Presidents Carter, Reagan and the elder Bush.
As a result, when Gates is critical of the intelligence used to justify the 2003 Iraq invasion, his statements carry some heft. His personal opinion: Bush believed Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
"I don't think the president misled the American people. I think intelligence misled the president," Gates said in March 2005, speaking to a conference at Texas A&M, where he is president.
Looking forward, Gates fretted that the mistakes made on Iraq have reshaped how spy agencies will work with presidents who must decide whether to act pre-emptively to thwart terrorist attacks or destabilize other nations. Yet, he acknowledged, murky information may be all that's available. "I worry that political leaders — and particularly presidents — will come to require absolute evidence before acting and, by that time, it may well be too late," he said.
"But also there is the danger that they will act on the basis of ambiguous information and find that they were wrong."
"If intelligence is going to be used to justify a military attack or a pre-emptive action, it better be unambiguous and it must be timely," Gates said.
Regards, Ivan
Any other options? No. We have to talk.
Ping!
They supposedly had a drone spying on our ships. Cant we talk with missiles first?
I already hate this guy.
Bush is now drinking the Democrat Kool-Aid.
In 2008, I want a leader that won't give therapy to Hitler wannabes, Communist Revolutionaries, and religious fanatics.
Regards, Ivan
This is beyond sick -- is Washington TOTALLY out of control ???
Agreed, conversely, the threat of force should be accompanied by direct talks.
Bush is now drinking the Democrat Kool-Aid.
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I feel you are right, and so does Limbaugh. He stated also that the libs are now going to get everything they want. Looks that way already.
Why do I feel so betrayed ???
According to FR-Idealogues - he has already proven himself a traitor.
Well general, considering the political relaities, what's your suggestion?
.
A SECDEF who wants to negotiate with terrorists.
Cindy Sheehan for SECSTATE next, I presume?
Wants to talk to Iran.
Lets see, Ahmadinejad besides wanting to take us out, he wants Israel off the map and believes there was no holocaust.
Yup, this is a guy we can talk to
lol. I know what you mean.
Well, Israel you're on your own now, I hope you do take the Iranian nukes out before they get you.
"Engagement could encourage Iran to adopt a more clear, positive attitude toward the new governments in Afghanistan and in Iraq, and it could also create opportunities for greater interaction between Iranians and the rest of the world. In all candor, the history of the last 25 years does not offer much encouragement that any part of this will be successful. However, a serious attempt could result in greater international support, should the failure of diplomacy necessitate reliance on other means."
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On the impact of the U.S. invasion of Iraq: "My personal opinion is that it has probably strengthened our position vis-a-vis Iran. After all, we've - we now have military presence on both sides of Iran. We have 140,000 troops next door. Clearly the Iranians have to look at that and see that the strategic situation in their neighborhood has changed in a significant way."
I don't know what JH's suggestion would be, but here's mine.
Bomb the crap out of sites we already know to be working on producing a nuclear capability....after we give the fair citizens a days warning to get out of the way of course.
How's them apples?
FMCDH(BITS)
The only talks should be that of Iran's surrender.
I see black for the future of our world.
Those who voted Dem have apparently no idea how dramatically they have changed history in favor of Evil.
Before the elections I was certain that the winner in the WoT will be us, the United States and the free world. My heart felt firm and I could sleep well, knowing that there are people out there protecting us. Today I have nightmares and sleepless nights. The idiots and lunatics have taken over.
Today there is this nauseating feeling in my guts that we might loose this war and the victors may be the ones under the banner of Islam.
We need a whole bunch of luck and more than ever a GOP Majority and Administration in 2008. Israel has to stand this through. God protect them and give the strength and zeal.
God protect us.
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