Posted by
Stephen on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 9:52:54 AM
Wednesday, January 24th, 2007
2150HRS, IRAQ
Iran
1/18 The Russians have copleted deliveries of anti-aircraft missiles -
and it is ready to sell more arms to Iran.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov:
"We have supplied modern, short-range TOR-M1 anti-aircraft missile systems in accordance with our contracts...Iran is not under international sanctions...If Iran wants to buy defensive, I underline defensive, equipment for its armed forces,then why not?"
1/22 But the U.S. is placing part of its missile defense system in Poland and the Czeck Republic, but
Russia frowns on U.S. anti-missile plan. Col. Gen. Vladimir Popovkin, chief of the military's Space Forces: "
Our analysis shows that the placement of a radar station in the Czech Republic and an anti-missile position in Poland would create a clear threat for Russia".
1/24 But wait...
Russia Denounces U.S. Missile-Defense Plan. Now Sergei Ivanov has had a change of heart and thinks air defenses are bad. Well, bad for the West: "
We answer to that, knowing the real state of affairs, that neither North Korean nor Iranian missiles can reach a designated target, just because they [such missiles] don't exist...And then a logical question arises: against whom is this missile-defense system being made?"
1/24 The North Koreans are
helping the Iranians prepare an underground nuclear testing site:
Under the terms of a new understanding between the two countries, the North Koreans have agreed to share all the data and information they received from their successful test last October with Teheran's nuclear scientists. France expressed concern yesterday over an Iranian decision to bar 38 UN nuclear inspectors from Iran, claiming that Teheran appeared to be singling out westerners from the inspection team.
Intelligence estimates vary about how long it could take Teheran to produce a nuclear warhead. But defence officials monitoring the growing co-operation between North Korea and Iran believe the Iranians could be in a position to test fire a low-grade device — less than half a kiloton — within 12 months.
The precise location of the Iranian test site is unknown, but is likely to be located in a mountainous region where it is difficult for spy satellites to pick up any unusual activity.
Teheran successfully concealed the existence of several key nuclear sites — including the controversial Natanz uranium enrichment complex — until their locations were disclosed by Iranian dissidents three years ago. Response to the State of the Union
Sen. Clinton: "We face tremendous challenges in Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing threats to our national and homeland security and crises here at home in health care and energy. But tonight, the President fell far short of the vision and solutions needed to meet these challenges and move our country forward... And instead of charting a new course in Iraq, including the political solution desperately needed, so that we can begin to bring our troops home, the President continued his defense of failed strategy and his escalation plan in Iraq."
Sen. Biden: Nothing on his website. But said this on 12/26/06: "As President Bush prepares to announce a new strategy for Iraq, one idea has emerged as his leading option: to surge more troops into Baghdad in a last ditch effort to stabilize the city.
There is one big problem with that option: in the absence of a political settlement among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, it will not work. We've tried the military surge option before and it failed. If we try it again, it will fail again.
And surging our forces in Baghdad risks terrible consequences: more American lives lost and more unbearable strain on our military for no strategic gain. If the President proposes escalation in Iraq, I will oppose him and so will many of my colleagues in Congress."
former Sen. Edwards: "President Bush's decision to adopt the McCain Doctrine and escalate the war in Iraq is terribly wrong. There is no military solution to this civil war. Instead of increasing the number of troops in Iraq, we should immediately withdraw 40–50,000 troops. In order for the Iraqi people to take responsibility for their country, we must show them that we are serious about leaving, and the best way to do that is to actually start leaving. Since the President refuses to change course, Congress must use its power of the purse and block funding for an escalation of war. Over 80,000 people from across the country have joined me in calling on Congress to stop President Bush's misguided plan to escalate the war. Congress has the power to stop this escalation — they should use it."
former Mayor Gulliani: Nothing on his website, but appeared on NBC's Today Show today: The former New York mayor told N-B-C's "Today" show that he wants the United States to succeed in Iraq because it's important to the overall war on terror. Failure in Iraq, according to Giuliani, means "a big defeat against terrorists."
Sen. Kerry: Nothing on his website, but said this on 1/10: “This plan is neither new nor forward looking. This is more of what’s taken us backwards. There’s no military solution in Iraq. There is only a political solution, and the President has no plan to achieve it. We’re caught in a civil war in Iraq. Escalation is not the answer. The best answer is to set a deadline to bring our heroes home, force Iraqis to stand up for Iraq, and get Iraq’s neighbors to start taking more responsibility for Iraq’s security.”
AP reports that he said: "(The president) glossed over the disastrous war and its multibillion-dollar price tag and implied again that our presence in Iraq is somehow improving the situation in that chaotic and turbulent country. The Congress must stand up against Bush's plan to escalate the war."
Sen. McCain: Nothing on his website, but according to ABC News: ...McCain, on the other hand, backed the president and said that the troops would come home only when the "conditions on the ground call for it."
Sen. Obama: Nothing on his website, but AP reports that he said: "Most Americans believe that escalation will not bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end, and that's why I've proposed not just a troop cap, but a phased redeployment that will start bringing our troops home."
Gov. Richardson: Nothing on his website, but he said this on 12/16/06: "We should give the Iraqi cabinet the opportunity to discuss the details of our departure with us and to make suggestions, but we need to establish a 2007 departure date.
If the Iraqi government agrees, we should announce jointly that our mission is over, and that we will leave by the specified date. If they doon't agree, we should announce that date without them.
We should harbor no illusions. This withdrawal will not be pretty. People will die. But fewer will die than if we stay. There are no guarantees that our departure will end the civil war. But it is sure to continue so long as we stay."
I wonder how Gov. Richardson would use this model for Iraq to explain the millions slaughtered under the communist butchers in Vietnam and Cambodia after we withdrew our fources from southeast Asia?
former Gov. Romney: "We are blessed to live in a country with the best medical system in the world. However, for too many, private health insurance is often out of reach. I welcome President Bush's proposed initiatives to make health insurance more available and affordable. He recognizes the answer is not more government but more innovation, harnessing the power of free market reforms.
I am especially encouraged by the President's initiative to help states find new solutions for individuals to buy health insurance. I believe the states are our best laboratories to find the best policy innovations to our health insurance crisis. As Governor, my state found a way to get all of our citizens covered without a tax increase and without a big government takeover."
former Gov. Vilsack: His 'pre-buttal' issued on 1/22: Vilsack says one thing he would do is not spend more money on a troop surge in Iraq. Vilsack also says instead of making "tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans permanent," he would look at those taxes instead of another tax on the middle class. Vilsack says he would like the opportunity to "scour the budget" to establish priorities. Vilsack says he established budget priorities as governor and would do the same as president.
Hooah!