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

Posted on 11/10/2002 10:27:55 AM PST by 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



TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Israel
KEYWORDS: traitor
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To: cmsgop

NEWMAN!

61 posted on 11/10/2002 12:12:18 PM PST by martin_fierro
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To: RCW2001
Conventional Weapons will work just fine ....
62 posted on 11/10/2002 12:13:19 PM PST by John Lenin
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To: martin_fierro
So True ! LOL!
63 posted on 11/10/2002 12:13:37 PM PST by cmsgop
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To: RCW2001
If Isarael dropped the big one on Iraq the rest of the Arabs will crap themselves and under go a serious attitude adjustment
64 posted on 11/10/2002 12:36:41 PM PST by uncbob
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To: RCW2001
"The moment Israel uses its nuclear card, Arab countries will not stop until they get the Bomb and drop it on Israel." - Ritter

If "the Bomb" is "dropped" on Israel (to use Ritter's uneducated parlance), Israel would most likely respond by destroying the whole of the Arab world I fairly certain that the latter wouldn't commit suicide en masse over the destruction of Baghdad.

65 posted on 11/10/2002 12:36:51 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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Comment #66 Removed by Moderator

To: Rye
If "the Bomb" is "dropped" on Israel (to use Ritter's uneducated parlance), Israel would most likely respond by destroying the whole of the Arab world.

Get a grip...

67 posted on 11/10/2002 12:44:58 PM PST by OReilly
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To: OReilly
Great response. ...You convinced me.
68 posted on 11/10/2002 12:46:36 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Rye
Great response. ...You convinced me.

Surely, you were exaggerating?

69 posted on 11/10/2002 12:51:07 PM PST by OReilly
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To: RCW2001
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.

Absolutely, right....

70 posted on 11/10/2002 12:51:14 PM PST by xJones
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To: RCW2001
I was most displeased to go into a bookstore and see this fool and William Rivers Pitt's volume on Iraq. I am pleased to say the stack was relatively high compared to the other books, indicating "No sale". However, Ritter being over here during the Labour Party conference did some damage - he got the left wingers worked into a frothing frenzy and made Blair's job that much more difficult. It's all right, he managed to get them all back into line, but no thanks to Ritter.

Regards, Ivan

71 posted on 11/10/2002 12:56:33 PM PST by MadIvan
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To: OReilly
Instead of engaging in childishishness (as is your wont), why don't you attempt to argue the issue at hand. Ritter said that "the Arab world" - which, I assume, includes more than one or two nations - would "not stop until they get the Bomb and drop it on Israel." If Israel is indeed nuked, and it's as concerted an effort at Ritter suggests, the rational response would be to take out the aggressors in kind. Do you have a different point of view other than "get a grip"? If so, I'd love to read it.
72 posted on 11/10/2002 12:58:41 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: RCW2001
Scott Ritter: If Israel uses nuclear weapons it will be destroyed

Translation: If Israel uses nuclear weapons, my funding sources will evaporate! Literally!

73 posted on 11/10/2002 1:00:30 PM PST by RogueIsland
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To: rintense
When I saw Scott "Tariq" Ritter on with Volfie this morning, I could almost hear Saddam's pen-scratching as he wrote out a money transfer. "We aren't giving Saddam enough TIME to respond," he whined. "The inspectors need at least TWO YEARS to find anything in Iraq!" What, did Saddam tell him that's how long he needed to finish his nukes??
74 posted on 11/10/2002 1:07:47 PM PST by Yaelle
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To: Rye
Your, 'Take out the whole Arab World as a response', is an absurd comment unless it is in jest, or childish exaggeration.

Instead of engaging in childishishness (as is your wont), why don't you attempt to argue the issue at hand... If so, I'd love to read it.

You obviously missed my considered response in Post #47

75 posted on 11/10/2002 1:15:03 PM PST by OReilly
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To: Rye
Sorry, make that #46
76 posted on 11/10/2002 1:18:21 PM PST by OReilly
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To: RCW2001
I detect some


77 posted on 11/10/2002 1:24:19 PM PST by null and void
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To: OReilly
Although I agree with what you posted, it has absolutely nothing to do with what we're now talking about.

I supposed I'll have to repeat myself, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't attempt another dodge: If Israel is nuked, and it's as concerted an effort (among Arab nations) as Ritter suggests it could be, do you think it unreasonable that Israel responds in kind by destroying (with nukes) the very nations that conspired against it?

78 posted on 11/10/2002 1:27:42 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Rye; OReilly
I agree with what you posted in post #46, that is.
79 posted on 11/10/2002 1:29:49 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: RCW2001
IMO, Iraqi money has affected Ritter's judgement and made him an agent of the enemy.
80 posted on 11/10/2002 1:32:18 PM PST by Rebelbase
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