Posted on 10/10/2007 8:04:27 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
An Israeli Strike on Syria Kindles Debate in the U.S.
By MARK MAZZETTI and HELENE COOPER
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 — A sharp debate is under way in the Bush administration about the significance of the Israeli intelligence that led to last month’s Israeli strike inside Syria, according to current and former American government officials.
At issue is whether intelligence that Israel presented months ago to the White House — to support claims that Syria had begun early work on what could become a nuclear weapons program with help from North Korea — was conclusive enough to justify military action by Israel and a possible rethinking of American policy toward the two nations.
The debate has fractured along now-familiar fault lines, with Vice President Dick Cheney and conservative hawks in the administration portraying the Israeli intelligence as credible and arguing that it should cause the United States to reconsider its diplomatic overtures to Syria and North Korea.
By contrast, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her allies within the administration have said they do not believe that the intelligence presented so far merits any change in the American diplomatic approach.
“Some people think that it means that the sky is falling,” a senior administration official said. “Others say that they’re not convinced that the real intelligence poses a threat.”
Several current and former officials, as well as outside experts, spoke on the condition of anonymity because the intelligence surrounding the Israeli strike remains highly classified.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Ping!
Cheney is right, Rice is wrong. Bush should fire her pronto - her policy predilections are far too dangerous to US and world security.
Several current and former officials, as well as outside experts, spoke on the condition of anonymity
Well, those guys have spoken again. No use seeking further quotes.
BTTT
Condi Rice is a big dissapointment.
The State Department reminds of the movie “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” No one enters without becoming part of the host and body.
Don't expect any transparency in these type situations.
THIS ADMINISTRATION IS IN A SHAMBLES.
BUSH BETTER GET AHOLD OF IT FAST AND GO WITH HIS EARLIER AND CORRECT "INSTINCTS".
OTHERWISE HE IS GOING TO BE SCREWED ALL WAYS TO SUNDAY BY NORTH KOREA WITH THESE PHONY, IF NOT DANGEROUS DPRK DEALS WORKED OUT BY STATE AND CONDI.
Maybe the State Department is some weird cult that brainwashes all who enter...
Damn, that about says it all and I agree. How this person could be SOS is beyond my pay grade to understand. Another Powell or even worse.
The Turks were convinced enough to permit the Israeli planes to fly over its territory and attack a neighbor. That’s more convincing than State’s need to preserve its hopes for another flimsy treaty with NK.
Report: Israel delayed Syria strike due to U.S. hesitance
The Israel Air Force strike on an alleged Syrian nuclear installation on September 6 was supposed to take place on July 14, but was delayed due to hesitance on the part of the Americans, ABC News reported. The report says that Israel presented the United States with intelligence attesting to the existence of the facility and its connection to North Korea.
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By waiting, Israel had concrete proof, proof that has utterly silenced the world on the raid.
If Israel had struck on July 14, you don't think she'd never live down THERE WERE NO WMDS?.
To Rice: Don’t make a wrong!
Translated into English this means that the New York Times pulled the whole statement out of their ass and attributed it to current and former officials. For those in Loma Linda it means, "they are lying."
My only point is, if Israel attacked in July, it wouldn't have been able to bag NK's nuke(material) and it wouldn't have been able to compound the chaos of the July 26 deaths of 40 guys, Iranian nuclear scientists, NK and Syrian techs.
Are you saying that the outcome would have been better if Israel upset the apple cart on July 14 instead of waiting until 9/6?
I doubt Dubya going fired Condi Rice in this late reason is he don’t want tick off African American vote I could be wronggg
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