Scott Ritter: If Israel uses nuclear weapons it will be destroyed

Globes Online ^

[RCW2001]

The former chief UN weapons inspector made his comments in a “Globes” interview.

Gil Tamari, Washington   10 Nov 02   17:08

Former chief UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter sharply criticized US President George W. Bush’s intention to attack Iraq. “I don’t fear Iraq, but I fear US policy toward Iraq,” said Ritter in an interview that will be published in the upcoming “Globes” weekend supplement.

“Saddam Hussein does not constitute a threat to our [US] national security. He is a terrible man, a brutal dictator who represses his people, but that is not a sufficient reason to sacrifice the lives of American soldiers. Until we have proof that Saddam is threatening US national security, there should be no talk of war.”

Ritter says the talk about a possible Israeli retaliation with non-conventional weapons was very dangerous, and the use of such weapons could lead to Israel’s destruction. “There is no better way to ensure Israel’s destruction than its use of nuclear weapons,” said Ritter.

“The moment Israel uses its nuclear card, Arab countries will not stop until they get the Bomb and drop it on Israel. If you think a nuclear bomb on Baghdad will prevent Iran from dropping a nuclear bomb on Tel Aviv, you’d better think again.”

Ritter believes that the way to prevent Iraq from getting weapons of mass destruction is through an effective inspections regime and not regime change.

Commenting on Israel’s concerns about an Iraqi attack, Ritter said, “The idea that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction and would use them against Israel has been disproved. Israel knows exactly the degree to which Iraq’s arms have been dismantled. Israeli intelligence estimated in 1998 that Iraq had no more weapons of mass destruction and that the arms inspection regime was an effective tool.

“Even Israel ought to prefer that inspectors return to Iraq, so that weapons will continue to be dismantled. Dismantlement serves Israel’s security interests far more than war. Such a war would be the first step in US aggression that will ignite instability throughout the Middle East. There is no greater threat to Israel than regional instability, which would bring Islamic fundamentalism to power in moderate countries.”

Ritter attaches great importance to Friday’s UN Security Council resolution. “It makes it clear to Iraq that the international community is united in its demand to allow inspectors to return.” However, Ritter says, “I am bothered by the US interpretation of the resolution. I am convinced that the Bush administration is determined on regime change in Iraq, and they see the Security Council resolution as a tool that will lead to a military blow. I fear that the administration will use the inspectors as an excuse to go to war.”

It should be pointed out that Scott Ritter acknowledged, in an interview with CNN on September 13 this year, that he received $400,000 in funding from a US citizen of Iraqi origin for a documentary film he made about Iraq. Allegations have been brought that the provider of the finance for the film is a Saddam Hussein sympathizer. Ritter himself denies any link between the financing of the film and Saddam Hussein.

Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on November 10, 2002

[OReilly]

How does it feel to lose yet another argument?

Right, Winners always resort to ad hominem.

[Mr. Mojo]

Funny....I proved my point beyond a shadow of a doubt, and all you can do is whine "ad hominem!" like a little b/tch (instead of continuing to debate the issue at hand). And incidentally, you ARE my b/tch.

[OReilly]

Ok... you won, go away! (Smile)

[ricpic]

Sometimes you have to give the devil his due. Ritter is right that the use of a nuclear device by the Israelis as an OFFENSIVE weapon would come back to haunt them. Of course they don't need Ritter to tell them this. They WILL use many nuclear devices if their very survival is at stake. The Arabs know this. Deterrence works!

[another cricket]

What's he waiting for? A bomb to drop on his head or something?

Actually I think he was dropped on his head. He completely overlooks the fact that Israel is the only county in the world with an up and running missile defense. They have a shield; the Arab world does not.

Saddam may be crazy enough to try, Iran might as well but I doubt it. The rest of the ME would sit very quietly and hope that the wind is blowing away from them. Then they will run whining to the UN.

There is a reason they have not had a direct confrontation with Israel in so long and it isn’t because they suddenly love them.

a.cricket

[1bigdictator]

Well said AC... U Nailed It....

[Let's Roll]

"If Israel ues nuclear weapons it will be destroyed"

Not if Israel hits the right targets.

[Michael2001]

I'd rather focus on the islamic fanatics in this country then the islamic fanatics in other countries.

The enemy is here. I know I'm in the minority when I say this, but I really could care less about Saddam Hussein. I just don't see the point of sending 250,000 of our boys (many of them my friends and family) to that God foresaken part of the world, when the enemy is down the street.

Muslims in Iraq can't hurt us; Muslims in the US do

[wharfrat]

The TRAITOR ritter forgets who the protector of Israel is! Jehovah God neither sleeps or slumbers, there is a spy in the sky and he is Jewish! He would do well to keep his trap shut and mind his own business and quit trashing the most populous President in recent memory. This saddam kiss up needs to be permanently deported to iraq and silence his treasonous drivel once and for all. The danger saddam poses speaks for itself; what he does on his own is bad enough but for him to be let off his leash and become a expanded major supplier of WMD to the remaining rogue arab states proves once and for all the Traitor ritter and his latest remarks make him a complete and total idiot; brain dead with its stem rotted off!

[CARepubGal]

Only one question Marines: What would Gunny Hartman do with this moronic traitorous fellow? :-) Happy Birthday REAL marines. I guess Ritter can join Lonetree, Oswald and the other few scumbags who earned the title ex-Marine.

[CARepubGal]

Ping!

[river rat]

You're just trying to aggravate this old man, aren't yah!

Actually, I haven't really figured this bastard out..
He had it right, once - when he reported on his findings to Congress.
He did not achieve rank of Major in the Corps - by being an idiot..
For the past several months - he has been reversing his previous positions - and acting the idiot..

Something reorganized this boy's brain housing group.
Money? Anger at being a nobody?
A lot of folks that once held sway or command of life or death over others --- looked up to, respected with lots of "perks", saluted by all ----- just can't handle the return to "civilian" life...

But - who the hell knows.. Sad story, the Major..
It may be that he simply spent too much time in the desert - with Arabs -- and simply "went native".. It happens.

Semper Fi

[JosephW]

Ivy, I'm pretty sure he meant the Islamic terrorists (moslem nations) and not you. Take a quick re-read with that perspective and I think everything will be fine.

Looks like just an unfortunate misunderstanding to me.