Biden: Israel free to set own course on Iran (US "talks" w/ Iran already a dead letter)

Yahoo/AP ^ | 7/6/2009 | Robert Burns

[mojito]

WASHINGTON – Vice President Joe Biden signaled that the Obama administration would not stand in the way if Israel chose to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, even as the top U.S. military officer said any attack on Iran would be destabilizing.

Biden's remarks suggested a tougher U.S. stance against Iran's nuclear ambitions. Nonetheless, administration officials insisted his televised remarks Sunday reflected the U.S. view that Israel has a right to defend itself and make its own decisions on national security.

In an interview on ABC's "This Week," Biden also said the U.S. offer to negotiate with Tehran on its nuclear program still stands. Some thought the administration's approach might change in light of the Iranian government's harsh crackdown on protesters after the June 12 presidential election. Opponents of the ruling authorities claimed the vote was rigged against them.

"If the Iranians respond to the offer of engagement, we will engage," Biden said.

[mojito]

Engagement was always a fantasy. This now appears to be dawning on some of the brilliant minds in the White House and the State Department.

[mojito]

See also this thread posted earlier:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2286412/posts

Sounds like the Israelis have gotten Saudi approval to use their airspace, and some Saudi who didn’t like the plan leaked it to one of the British papers.

[mrmeangenes]

Attacking Iran might also be a fantasy, now that Israel’s “forward base” in Georgia has been neutralized by the Russians.

It also would not surprise me to learn Russia conducts
AWACS-style patrols along the Iranian frontier-with the cooperation of Iran.

[redstateconfidential]

[Oldpuppymax]

You mean Bibi might have just a teeny weeny bit of mistrust for an American, acting-president who is a muslim and who bows to the King of Saudi Arabia?

[Hootch]

I’m just curious... Who is the President?? This is a major decision and they send out Biden to float it out?? How do we know it isn’t just Biden being blustery??

[onedoug]

Slow Joe speaketh again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again....

[colorado tanker]

This would be welcome if I could trust the source, but this is Joe “the lip” Biden. He's capable of saying anything.

[Clioman]

But wasn’t it ol’ Joe who said, “mark my words, the President will be tested within six months”? I ask because that deadline happens come July 20...

[DJ Frisat]

In other words, the leader with big cajones said to the leader with none: 'Mind your own business. We'll do what's best for OUR country while you screw yours up!'

[mojito]

Who is the President?? This is a major decision and they send out Biden to float it out?

I wondered about this too. It could very well be nothing but Joe being Joe. On the other hand, it it has the marks of an Axelrod-inspired ploy: letting Joe reverse US policy and thus avoid having Prince 0 admit that he was wrong and his policy is a joke. Which invites embarrassing questions, etc.

That this comes while Prince 0 is in Russia makes me suspect the later.

Also, there have been stories saying that Joe and Hill have wanted a tougher line on Iran, and this may be part of that.

In any case, I doubt it there will be any official reprimands if it is just Joe being Joe. What can 0 say? That the Israelis are NOT allowed to defend themselves?

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

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[SunkenCiv]

What Biden said:

Biden also said the U.S. offer to negotiate with Tehran on its nuclear program still stands.