Albright Criticizes Bush Foreign Policy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Friday criticized the Bush administration's foreign policy and took aim at the president's labeling of Iran, Iraq and North Korea as an "axis of evil." Albright also questioned the administration's public relations approach to the detainees from Afghanistan being held at a U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and said the U.S. approach to the issue had been damaging diplomatically. In an interview with NBC's "Today" show, Albright said President Bush made a "big mistake" lumping together Iran, Iraq and North Korea in his State of the Union address. In his speech on Tuesday night, Bush used harsh language to describe Iran, Iraq and North Korea, saying they were committed to developing weapons of mass destruction and must be stopped. "First of all they (Iran, Iraq and North Korea) are very different from each other," said Albright, who was Secretary of State in the Clinton administration. In the case of Iraq, Albright said the United States had been trying to contain President Saddam Hussein since 1991 and strong action was necessary. However, the situation with Iran was more complicated and the United States needed Tehran's help in dealing with Afghanistan. Looking at North Korea, Albright said it was a mistake to walk away from that communist state. The United States has attempted to hold talks with North Korea about its weapons program but that process has gone nowhere. "When we left office, we left the potential of a verifiable agreement to stop the export of missile technology abroad on the table. I think it's a mistake to walk away from that. We know that North Korea is dangerous but lumping those three countries together is dangerous," she said. The United States has come under fire from human rights groups and several Western governments for its treatment of detainees in Guantanamo Bay, who are being held in open-air cells at a U.S. naval base there. Albright said instead of showing the world conditions at the Cuban prison, the United States had become involved in an "arcane" discussion about why it would not give its captives prisoner of war status, which grants certain rights. She suggested releasing a video to show the conditions under which the detainees were being held, which visitors to the prison had said were adequate. "It would help us not only with the problem in Pakistan but also generally where the international community thinks we have lost our minds," said Albright, referring to the kidnapping of an American journalist in Pakistan whose captors have demanded the release of prisoners being held in Guantanamo Bay.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Friday criticized the Bush administration's foreign policy and took aim at the president's labeling of Iran, Iraq and North Korea as an "axis of evil."

Albright also questioned the administration's public relations approach to the detainees from Afghanistan being held at a U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and said the U.S. approach to the issue had been damaging diplomatically.

In an interview with NBC's "Today" show, Albright said President Bush made a "big mistake" lumping together Iran, Iraq and North Korea in his State of the Union address.

In his speech on Tuesday night, Bush used harsh language to describe Iran, Iraq and North Korea, saying they were committed to developing weapons of mass destruction and must be stopped.

"First of all they (Iran, Iraq and North Korea) are very different from each other," said Albright, who was Secretary of State in the Clinton administration.

All the countries support TERRORISM!

In the case of Iraq, Albright said the United States had been trying to contain President Saddam Hussein since 1991 and strong action was necessary.

However, the situation with Iran was more complicated and the United States needed Tehran's help in dealing with Afghanistan.

Looking at North Korea, Albright said it was a mistake to walk away from that communist state.

The United States has attempted to hold talks with North Korea about its weapons program but that process has gone nowhere.

All the countries support TERRORISM!

"When we left office, we left the potential of a verifiable agreement to stop the export of missile technology abroad on the table. I think it's a mistake to walk away from that.

What? You and Clinton Gave them MONEY. You gave them Nuclear Technology. You gave our nuclear weapon technology to the Chinese, and then you you allowed the Chinese to give that technology to the North Koreans!

We know that North Korea is dangerous but lumping those three countries together is dangerous," she said.

All thre countries support TERRORISM!

The United States has come under fire from human rights groups and several Western governments for its treatment of detainees in Guantanamo Bay, who are being held in open-air cells at a U.S. naval base there.

These people would of found something else to condemn the US for. It's just a matter of time.

Albright said instead of showing the world conditions at the Cuban prison, the United States had become involved in an "arcane" discussion about why it would not give its captives prisoner of war status, which grants certain rights.

The European news Elites tried to make this an issue. But it fell flat on it's face (where it counts - here in the USA).

She suggested releasing a video to show the conditions under which the detainees were being held, which visitors to the prison had said were adequate.

That is WHY everyone is so happy that the Clinton Idiots are no longer in Office. And that You, Ms. Albright are out of the picture. Your response to Terrorism is simply "pay them the ransom money and bribe money they ask for". As you then lift your little finger and raise the expensive cup of tea to your overly madeup lips.

"It would help us not only with the problem in Pakistan but also generally where the international community thinks we have lost our minds," said Albright, referring to the kidnapping of an American journalist in Pakistan whose captors have demanded the release of prisoners being held in Guantanamo Bay.

Yes, I trust George W. Bush and his team more than you and your friend...

Blindly follow and trust your government. See how many liberties you have in 20 years. The great thing about America is that we have in our Constitution to second-guess our government.

Aside from that, it appears you may have a point. We've just increased our aid to Jordan, so maybe they are going to support them as our in-area ally in hopes that Iran will follow. But I still think two allies now is better than one now and maybe another later. We've badly blown international relations gambles before, I can see us doing it again.

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