Posted on 08/28/2007 8:24:34 AM PDT by chemical_boy
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned Tuesday that a power vacuum is imminent in Iraq and said that Iran was ready to help fill the gap.
"The political power of the occupiers is collapsing rapidly," Ahmadinejad said at a press conference in Tehran, referring to U.S. troops in Iraq. "Soon, we will see a huge power vacuum in the region. Of course, we are prepared to fill the gap, with the help of neighbors and regional friends like Saudi Arabia, and with the help of the Iraqi nation."
Although Ahmadinejad did not elaborate how Iran could fill a power gap, his bold remarks reflected what may be perceived as Iran's eagerness for an increasing role on its neighbor's political scene.
Earlier this month, during a visit here by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Iranian leaders said that only a U.S. pullout would bring peace to Iraq and pledged their government would do its best to help stabilize the country.
Ahmadinejad accused the United States of interfering in Iraq's internal affairs, and dismissed U.S. criticism of al-Maliki's unsuccessful efforts to reconcile the country's Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.
"They rudely say (the Iraqi) prime minister and the constitution must change," Ahmadinejad said. "Who are you? Who has given you the right" to ask for such a change, he added, addressing the U.S. critics of al- Maliki, who is also a Shiite.
Ahmadinejad dismissed the possibility of any U.S. military action against Iran.
"I tell you resolutely that there is no possibility, whatsoever, of such a decision in the U.S.," Ahmadinejad told reporters. "Even, if they were to decide to do so, they would be unable to carry it out."
U.S. has accused Iran of being behind attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq—a claim the Iraqi government has only partially backed, saying Iran could have a role in the attacks. Iran has denied the accusations.
also:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887681/posts
(drudge headline only) - many, many comments
just a “link to” for comments.
There goes the Associated Press trying to start a war with Iran. </sarc>
The Plot thickens.
Abdullah Gul Elected Turkish President
8/28/2007 11:20:02 AM Abdullah Gul, a former Islamist and Turkey’s foreign minister, has been elected president of the country, as he won a majority in the third round of voting in the parliament on Tuesday. This makes Gul the first politician with an Islamist background to become head of a deeply secular Turkish state, which became a Republic in 1923.
Gul, who required a simple majority of 276 votes in the 550-seat parliament, managed to secure 339 votes. The third round of voting became necessary, as two earlier rounds did not produce the two-thirds majority that Gul needed to get elected.
Gul narrowly failed to gain enough support from MPs to become president in a first round of voting in April this year. The confrontation between Gul’s Islamist-rooted AK Party and secularist parties triggered a political crisis that led to snap polls in July. The AKP won convincingly this time, gaining 47% and again nominating Gul for the presidency.
Gul, a skilled diplomat, is responsible for steering Turkey towards European Union entry talks. While Gul has pledged to be a ruler for all Turks, Turkey’s military and secular establishment suspects he might implement a secret Islamist agenda in the secular republic.
“Iran Prepared to Fill Iraq Power Vacuum”
Thank you Hillary.
Actually, Hillary’s views on the War are mirrored here on FR.
Hillary Clinton Crafts Centrist Stance on War
Clinton’s support for the war continues the pro-defense posture she has maintained in the Senate. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, she has courted Pentagon commanders and military families, and as a senator from New York on Sept. 11, 2001, her advocacy for the campaign against terrorists has been unwavering. But her decision to let others lead the debate over Iraq reflects what allies say is her innate caution.
Clinton’s support for the war has prompted a challenge from Jonathan Tasini, an antiwar Democrat, in next year’s Senate primary in New York.
She gave a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York in December 2003 on Iraq and terrorism counseling patience in the military struggle there.
Asked how she differs with Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.), who has been Bush’s strongest supporter among the Democrats, Wolfson said, “That’s a briar patch I choose not to throw myself into.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/11/AR2005121100846
THATS a powerful vacuum coming from Nancy Pelosi's and Harry Reid's HEADS..
All you need to do is listen to our enemies to know their intentions.
Attention Pelosi and Reid - ARE YOU LISTENING?
The only real option is to light the Iranians up big time.
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