Posted on 12/09/2006 1:39:06 PM PST by anotherview
Dec. 9, 2006 15:34 | Updated Dec. 9, 2006 19:32
Olmert not ruling out attack on Iran
By YAAKOV KATZ AND JPOST STAFF
Olmert is seen during a meeting with Gush Katif evacuees in the Negev. Olmert offered wide-ranging peace concessions to Palestinians on Monday if they turned away from violence.
Photo: AP
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in an interview scheduled for publication on Sunday, told Germany's Der Spiegel magazine that he could not rule out the possibility of a military attack against Iran, and called for the international community to step up action against Teheran.
Olmert called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated threats to destroy Israel "absolutely criminal," and said that he expected "more dramatic steps to be taken."
# Security and Defense: The strong winds of war # Editor's Notes: Iran the vulnerable? (column)
Olmert was interviewed ahead of his planned trip to Germany, where on Tuesday he will meet and hold a joint press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
When asked about his recent offer to concede "large territories" in the West Bank for a "true peace," Olmert responded: "A prime minister should not make promises that he cannot keep but my message is clear: I am prepared to give up regions."
Such a withdrawal, Olmert added, would allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank.
On Friday, Olmert spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran's nuclear program and told Putin that he hoped the UN Security Council would vote to impose sanctions if Iran continued to flout the international community's demands that it stop its nuclear development, Army Radio reported.
Calling Iran's race to obtain nuclear weapons an existential threat for Israel, Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky said Friday that a nuclear Iran also threaten all of Europe.
"A nuclear Iran is a threat to Israel but can also have an effect on the entire Middle East," Kaplinsky said during a mayoral conference near Jerusalem. "A nuclear Iran will pose a threat way beyond Israel's borders, possibly even a threat to all of Europe."
Recently, Kaplinsky said, Iran received a shipment of anti-aircraft missiles from Russia and was in touch with China regarding additional arms deals. "There are disagreements when their [nuclear] program will be effective," the general said. "But we predict that Iran will reach the ability in the near future."
Concerning the Baker-Hamilton report, Kaplinsky said: "In my opinion, the strategy used and the way the United States decides to pull out of Iraq, will have an effect on us and the entire region."
...and their response, within two hours, was to fire more rockets at Sderot, violating the cease fire once again. Enough concessions! Enough with the kid gloves! Hamas made their intentions clear once again -- they mean to destroy Israel. Iran wants the same. The time now is for action, not talk, Mr. Prime Minister.
pinging the pingers
If Netanyahu was in charge, Iran would be reduced to rubble right about now.
Olmert is a far leftist who is turning over israel's security to egypt, france and italy.
Olmert loves to talk big and do nothing.
He is a liberal.
He is the worst prime minister in the history of israel.
I am so sick of his stupid face.
Olmert might not rule out an attack but cold hard reality does.
Israel can't carry out a meaningful strike on Iran with out using nukes.
Two characteristics of liberalism that defines Olmert.
Talk big and do nothing instead of not talk and take action.
Flip flops all the time. He was against un in gaza now he is for it. The fool actually thinks the un will go after hamas there.
There are no checks and balances in israel. Olmert can do anything he wants. The opposition has no say.
Israel will be a far different country by the time olmert leaves in 8 years than the one it was before he came onto the scene.
Olmert finished 60th in a race for pm and had to have sharon jumpstart his career.
He is awful.
Disregard Olmert he is a fraud.
He talks big to make people think he is strong on security.
He is really weak. He sells out israel's security while talking big.
Real leaders don't talk much and take action olmert is just the opposite.
Ehud Olmert <<--- talk to my HAND...
All I want to know is did ElMort serve in Vietnam? He has the Kerry routine down pretty good, except for reminding everyone of his war record every two minutes.
I have every faith that ElMort will attack Iran. It will be timely but not just now. It will be severe but measured. It will be comprehensive but targeted. It will put an end to the Nuclear weapons desires of Iran, but will leave the peaceful development in place.
Blah, blah, blah, blay...
ElMort, let someone who's got a backbone give 'er a try.
Prime Minister Olmert spent his entire political career in Likud (the closest thing Israel has to the Republican Party) before following his mentor Ariel Sharon when Kadima was formed. He isn't a leftist or a liberal. Weak, yes, he's proven that. A liberal, no.
I just hope the Prime Minister surprises us. I think he is misunderestimated (sic.). The fact is that with 78 seats in the Knesset behind him Prime Minister Olmert isn't going anywhere. Rather pray for a sudden attack of wisdom, something he clearly has lacked up until now.
If Israelis intend to survive as a nation they must face up to the need to gird their loins for battle. It's life or death, as it always has been, hopes for some "peace process" notwithstanding. Israel must somehow revive the spirit of 1967.
He's an appeaser! He's weak! C'mon Isreal! Coup already, have this idiot's head on a pike just for show and go. It ain't nothin' but a thing! Olmert equates to a nose dive head first into the sand.
OH S**T I doubt it what going happen US would put pressure on Israel believe or not
I could be wrong have PM Ohlmet tell State dept go to hell
If he means business, he'll retire and let a real leader take over.
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