Gates: Iranian Weaponry Found In Iraq

Defense Secretary Says Serial Numbers, Markings "Pretty Good" Evidence Of Iran's Role

(CBS/AP)  Serial numbers and markings on explosives used in Iraq provide "pretty good" evidence that Iranians are providing either weapons or technology for militants there, Defense Secretary Robert Gates asserted Friday.

Gates' comments made official the Iran weapons connection first reported by CBS News at the end of January, when officials told national security correspondent David Martin that serial numbers on parts used to make advanced explosive devices, powerful enough to breach the armor on an American tank, had been traced directly back to Iran.

The officials also told Martin rocket-propelled grenade launchers and assault rifles found in Iraq had Iranian factory markings.

Offering some of the first public details of evidence the military has collected, Gates said, "I think there's some serial numbers, there may be some markings on some of the projectile fragments that we found," that point to Iran.

At the same time, however, he said he was somewhat surprised that recent raids by coalition and Iraqi forces in Iraq swept up some Iranians.

Just last week, Gates said that U.S. military officers in Baghdad were planning to brief reporters on what is known about Iranian involvement in Iraq but that he and other senior administration officials had intervened to delay the briefing in order to assure that the information provided was accurate.

Speaking to reporters at a defense ministers' conference in Seville, Spain, Gates said Friday, "I don't think there was surprise that the Iranians were actually involved, I think there was surprise we actually picked up some."

He and other U.S. officials have said for some time that Iranians, and possibly the government of Iran, have been providing weapons technology, and possibly some explosives to Iraqi insurgents.

But, Bernie Kaussler, an associate fellow at the University of St. Andrews' Institute for Iranian Studies, tells CBSNews.com that he's not convinced top Iranian officials are involved in weapons smuggling.

"There are so many players in Iranian politics, many times the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. That might well be the case," he explains. "It is possible that there are a few hotheads supplying weapons and support without the central government knowing."

The improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been a leading killer of U.S. forces in Iraq, where more than 3,000 servicemen and women have died in the nearly four-year-old war.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has denied his government is supporting Iraq's militias with money or weapons.

The IEDs have been a leading killer of U.S. forces in Iraq, where more than 3,000 servicemen and women have died in the nearly four-year-old war.

Gates, who is attending his first NATO defense ministers meeting, said Iran is "very much involved in providing either the technology or the weapons themselves for these explosively formed projectiles. Now they don't represent a big percentage of the IED attacks but they're extremely lethal."

Gates said the raids combined with the movement of an additional U.S. aircraft carrier into the Persian Gulf have created a stir, but said the Bush administration has no intention of attacking Iran.

In other developments:

An al Qaeda-linked insurgent group posted a Web video Friday showing what it said was the downing of a U.S. military helicopter earlier this week. Seven Americans were killed in the crash. The U.S. military has said it did not believe the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter was shot down in the crash Wednesday northwest of Baghdad. U.S. military officials said early indications were that the craft's loss was due to mechanical failure.

U.S. helicopters mistakenly killed at least five Kurdish troops Friday in a friendly fire incident against forces Washington hopes to partner with to secure Iraq, U.S. and Iraqi officials said. The deaths occurred in eastern Mosul at about midnight. The U.S. military said the airstrike was targeting al Qaeda fighters, but later issued an apology, saying the five men killed had been identified as Kurdish police. Kurdish officials put the casualty toll at eight killed and six wounded

The military also said three U.S. soldiers died Thursday in fighting in Anbar province, an insurgent stronghold west of Baghdad, bringing the total number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq this month to 33. The deaths raised to at least 3,117 members of the U.S. military who have died since the Iraq war started in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Police said gunmen dressed in Iraqi army uniforms swept into a village south of Baghdad, kidnapping 13 civilians and killing at least 11 of them. The attack occurred in Imam, a predominantly Shiite village about 47 miles south of the Iraqi capital. Police later found 11 bodies with gunshot wounds to the head and chest, and they were believed to be those who had been kidnapped, police and the Iraqi army said.

A roadside bomb killed one British soldier and wounded three others in southern Iraq on Friday, the British military said. The attack occurred at an intersection about 3 miles southeast of Basra, according to a spokeswoman for British forces in Iraq. The latest casualties bring to 101 the number of British military deaths attributed to hostile action since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, according to Britain's Ministry of Defense.

The Iraqis want to put him on trial for allegedly supporting terrorists, but an American who once served in the Minnesota National Guard won't be facing those judges for now. A federal appeals court in Washington ruled that Shawqi Omar, a citizen of both Jordan and the U.S., has a right to argue for his release before a U.S. court. For the last two years he's been held at a prison in southern Iraq without formal charges and, his family says, without access to counsel.


© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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by lars008-2009 February 11, 2007 11:08 AM EST

the war is legal...........

the resumption of hostilities was inevitable since iraq broke the ceasefire agreement.....

Reply to this comment

by themartyred February 11, 2007 6:28 AM EST

lars shove that comment up your arse! JFK wouldn't be supporting a fraudulent reason for war like B*sh is doing at the order of darth cheney!

over 3100 AMERICAN heroes have been slaughtered while thousands in the MILITARY and OIL companies get stinking rich at the poor military personnel's expense!

sick f&ks

Reply to this comment

by lars008-2009 February 11, 2007 4:26 AM EST

USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

Reply to this comment

by bluestardad February 10, 2007 4:12 PM EST

Hey Congress, We know you cannot protect innocent high school pages in the Halls of Congress nor put Pedophiles in Jail like Mark Foley, how about thieves of billions of dollars, and Liars that cause the deaths and Maiming of Thousands of American Soldiers and sends our country to a war on a lie? The Middle East is not in American Interest, we have invested 50 years of blood, and money is enough is enough! Did the Israeli or Saudi Arabian Neocons slip you some money how about thirty pieces of silver for your vote or compliancy in this war?
Write your congressman and let them know how you feel! firststatehttp://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Reply to this comment

by bluestardad February 10, 2007 3:42 PM EST

The middle east is not in Americas interest! Pull out 50 years of investment in blood, money, and effort has proven no results! Lets interupt your ignorance with some facts!

Founded in 1953 by Isaiah L. "Si" Kenen, AIPAC's original name was the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. According to UCLA political science professor and author, Steven Spiegel, "the tension between the Eisenhower administration and Israeli supporters was so acute that there were rumors (unfounded as it turned out) that the administration would investigate the American Zionist Council. Therefore, an independent lobbying committee was formed, which years later was renamed [AIPAC]." [SPIEGEL, p. 52].[citation needed] Today, AIPAC has over 100,000 members.[1]
Activities and stated goals
AIPAC's stated purpose is to lobby the Congress of the United States on issues and legislation "to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong so that both countries can work together" to meet the challenges of "stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, fighting terrorism and achieving peace".[2] It regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events where it can share its views. It also provides analysis of the voting records of U.S. federal representatives and senators with regard to how they voted on legislation related to Israel. The New York Times described AIPAC on July 6, 1987 as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East."

Reply to this comment

by vancouverboo February 10, 2007 3:36 PM EST

When the Afghanis were fighting the Russian Invaders the US provided Stinger Missiles to the "Freedom Fighters" - amazing how much power there is in words - and that was OK. So?

Reply to this comment

by duckswill February 10, 2007 1:31 PM EST

I had hope, but it is now obvious, anyone who works for this administration is or will be corrupt. Gates is a transparently pathetic lying version of Donald Rumsfeld.

Reply to this comment

by dallison7 February 10, 2007 11:30 AM EST

so does that mean we should topple the Bush administration?
Posted by pakaal

I'm in, where do we meet?

Reply to this comment

by dallison7 February 10, 2007 10:46 AM EST

These tribesmen have been fighting one another for fifteen hundred years. There is no 'National identy' in Iraq, only tribal. The different factions don't rely on borders. They are, each of them, spread throughout several countries. It is to be expected that tribesmen in Iran, Syria and other neighboring lands would want to fight alongside their 'brothers'. It is to be expected that some in Iran would wish to supply thier brothers in Iraq with dependable weapons. Our armed forces are beating a dead horse here, we cannot win this. What we can do, and appear to be in the process of doing, is expand this thing throughout the middle east. We need to get out of there as quickly as possible and let them fight this out. Our presence there is inflamatory.

Reply to this comment

by johnshaft4 February 10, 2007 7:55 AM EST

So what? US made phoney Iraq WMD documents found in the Pentagon (thank you, Douglas Feith) and the White House...Iranian "IEDS" = "B.F.D.". Who cares? Snore...

Reply to this comment

by firststate February 10, 2007 3:13 AM EST

We've got resources in the Iran-Iraq area, but do we have enough troops to fight Iran? Military leaders are concerned about juggling troops for the surge in Iraq, if Iran were added wouldn't our ground forces be stretched beyond their limits? Planes and cruise missiles could knock out most of Iran's defenses, like in Iraq, but winning the peace after the military part isn't guaranteed. This crew hasn't done anything to indicate that it can get that part done.

"Quick-Draw McGraw" cheney and "Baba Looey" bush have managed to turn a stable Iraq into chaos worse than a regular civil war. Saddam was repressive, but efficient as a secular buffer to separate its neighbors where 1 of its 3 main antagonistic groups ruled. Removing Saddam and disbanding the military and police left Iraq without law enforcement, crime flourished unchecked. 41, Clinton and bush 43 were specifically warned about sectarian violence and chaos that would result from removing Saddam. True to the warnings the sectarian violence took hold and became routine. Hatred, revenge and repressed violence erupted into the current chaos.

Currently, everything from the b/c crew, except the protests that we don't want to attack Iran, is like the 2002-3 updates on Iraq's evil deeds. If they aren't trying to convince us that they may be forced, literally forced to attack Iran, somebody has mistakenly pulled out the "build up to attack" file. It's almost like being doomed to repeat history, before the history's ink has dried.

Reply to this comment

by pakaal February 10, 2007 1:26 AM EST

Wow, so Iraqi fighters have gone across the border to buy weapons in Iran. Yeah, sure, that's grounds for us to topple their government, because of course Iranian weapons dealers must all have the full knowledge and backing of their government right?

So, when someone buys a gun from a weapons dealer in the US and then uses it to kill someone, the weapons dealer must have had the full knowledge and backing of the Bush administration to do so, so does that mean we should topple the Bush administration?

Reply to this comment

by radiob-2009 February 10, 2007 12:36 AM EST

A internet site operated by Al Queda in Iraq a country that only has eletricity for 3 hours a day? Complete with singing a little polished for a terrorist group.

Reply to this comment

by feelfree1 February 9, 2007 11:55 PM EST

The Israeli leaders are in desperate shape right now, but if they attack Iran, many of the Israeli sheep will undoubtedly rally behind their delusional leaders.

If this happens, the Democrats will have little choice but to throw their support behind our War Resident, since the Democrat Party is burried so deeply in the pockets of Israeli lobbiests.

It would be a win-win for the Bush terror regime. If they manage to crush Iran, which is doubtful, they can claim a major victory. If the attack turns to catastrophe, the Bush terrorists can declare martial law, suspend elections, round up dissenters, and launch a few nukes.

In any case, oil prices will skyrocket, overflowing the coffers of the oil Corporations, and military contractors will see record profits once again.

If this action results in global war and widespread depopulation, the Bush butchers win again, by satisfying their pro-armageddon dead-ender constituancy.

Reply to this comment

by grazinggoat February 9, 2007 9:53 PM EST

RayHC1,
don't worry we can hit Iran and Russia and China and kick the heck out of them. Why are you so restrictive on the choice, man?. Bush and repukons' America have singinrick and lars008 ganging up with them, one praying and the other spewing... and a lot of spying on others as well...

But in the sick game of powers, China just used a new technololgy that downed a satellite of hers, flying at a speed of 18,000 miles per hour. It was as precise as DickCheney shooting the face of that guest-friend. That is quite chilling. It'll cool down the hot invasion-savvy spirit of the neocons in office.

Reply to this comment

by firststate February 9, 2007 9:20 PM EST

This sentence from the article raises some troubling questions. "Gates' comments made official the Iran weapons connection first reported by CBS News at the end of January, when officials told national security correspondent David Martin that serial numbers on parts used to make advanced explosive devices, powerful enough to breach the armor on an American tank, had been traced directly back to Iran."

Where did the Iranian serial number information originate? Are we to believe that Iranian arms manufacturers provide that information to the US? Couldn't other parties supporting the Sunnis in Iraq's Civil war, like the Saudis, have weaponry produced with Iranian-like serial numbers, if that information is available. These Sunni interests might conclude that the US would help their efforts against the Shia in Iraq and Iran if we had evidence indicating Iran's involvement in the Iraq civil war.

If the alleged information about Iranian serial numbers comes from Iranian ex-patriots, it shouldn't be taken at face value. Remember that Iraqi es-patriots like Chalabi lied to help convince the US to invade Iraq. Iranian ex-patriots would also be telling the US whatever they think will advance their agenda by getting the US to act, whether or not it's true.

Reply to this comment

by rayhc1 February 9, 2007 9:17 PM EST

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail:[e-mail]

My OLD address: 2519 W. First St. Santa Ana, Ca. 92703

My CURRENT ADDRESS: 7032 Natal Drive (Unit B) Westminster, Ca. 92683

My CURRENT PHONE: [phone]

THE UNITED STATES MUST GET TOUGH WITH IRANIAN INDIVIDUALS WITHIN IRAQ! EACH INDIVIDUAL MUST BE INVESTIGATED!

I THINK THAT TAKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE AND PUTTING THEM INTO TENTS. THEN, SARCHING THEIR HOMES, VIA COURT ORDER, WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO DETER TERRORISM AND GET RID OF WEAPONS! OF COURSE, VIDEO TAPING SHOULD BE DONE TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED! IRAQ HAS TURNED INTO ANOTHER VIETNAM! A POLICE STATE IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM!

IF THE UNITED STATES LEAVES IRAQ, IRAQ WILL BE INVADED BY IRAN WITH RUSSIA! ALL WILL BE LOST! THE UNITED STATES MUST STAY THE COURSE TO GET THE JOB DONE IN IRAQ!

THE UNITED STATES MUST STAY OUT OF IRAN! IRAN HAS ATOMIC WEAPONS THAT IRAN PURCHASED FROM RUSSIA! ALSO, IRAN IS AN ALLY WITH RUSSIA, AND RUSSIA IS AN ALLY WITH CHINA! BOTH RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE H-BOMB TECHNOLOGIES!

CONTACT ME! THANK YOU.

Reply to this comment

by rayhc1 February 9, 2007 9:12 PM EST

CORRECTION TO EARLIER MESSAGE. MY E-MAIL ADDRESS:[e-mail]

Reply to this comment

by rayhc1 February 9, 2007 9:10 PM EST

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail: [e-mail]

My OLD address: 2519 W. First St. Santa Ana, Ca. 92703

My CURRENT ADDRESS: 7032 Natal Drive (Unit B) Westminster, Ca. 92683

My CURRENT PHONE: [phone]

THE UNITED STATES MUST SOLVE THE OIL PROBLEM! THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ARE MAKING DEALS WITH IRAN AND OTHER MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES!

THE UNITED STATES BIGGEST THREAT IS RUSSIA AND CHINA INDIRECTLY SUPPLYING RADICAL TERRORIST GROUPS WITH WEAPONS OF MASSDESTRUCTION--MOSTLY NUCLEAR.

CURRENTLY, THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE ARE LOOKING FOR CHEAP OIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST! BOTH THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE DESPARATELY NEED CHEAP OIL! BOTH THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE ARE MAKING DEALS WITH IRAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES WITHIN THE MIDDLE EAST!

BOTH THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE HAVE H-BOMB TECHNOLOGIES AND I.C.B.M.'S THAT CAN REACH THE UNITED STATES! THE BIGGEST THREAT IS NOT TERRORISM BY A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY; THE BIGGEST THREAT IS IRAN AND RUSSIA INDIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH IRAQ, ALONG WITH CHINA!

THE UNITED STATES MUST BUILD BASES IN IRAQ! N.A.T.O. SHOULD ASSIST IN THE OPERATION. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT DO THIS ALONE! THE UNITED STATES MUST NEGOTIATE WITH THE "EUROPEAN UNION" OVER THIS ISSUE!

IN THE INTERIM, THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NEGOTIATE WITH RUSSIA AND CHINA WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE "EUROPEAN UNION"!

CONTACT ME! THANK YOU.

Reply to this comment

by clestes-2009 February 9, 2007 8:43 PM EST

"If Iran escalates its military actions in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and %u2014 or innocent Iraqi people, we will respond firmly."

Why can't people figure this one out?? Bush is trying to start a fight with Iran. He thinks this will save his presidency from the legacy of being the stupidest, most idiotic, blunderbust in the history of the US. It won't. He has already claimed that prize title.

I don't think he will be successful in starting his second middle east war. The military brass has already said they don't have the resources to fight a war in Iraq and Iran, but by God, dubya is shaking his finger in warning, making a fool of himself, per usual.

Keep yapping Bushie, everytime you open your mouth you continue to ensure the Dem will take the whitehouse in 2008.

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[lars008-2009]

the war is legal...........

the resumption of hostilities was inevitable since iraq broke the ceasefire agreement.....

[themartyred]

lars shove that comment up your arse! JFK wouldn't be supporting a fraudulent reason for war like B*sh is doing at the order of darth cheney!

over 3100 AMERICAN heroes have been slaughtered while thousands in the MILITARY and OIL companies get stinking rich at the poor military personnel's expense!

sick f&ks

[lars008-2009]

USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

[bluestardad]

Hey Congress, We know you cannot protect innocent high school pages in the Halls of Congress nor put Pedophiles in Jail like Mark Foley, how about thieves of billions of dollars, and Liars that cause the deaths and Maiming of Thousands of American Soldiers and sends our country to a war on a lie? The Middle East is not in American Interest, we have invested 50 years of blood, and money is enough is enough! Did the Israeli or Saudi Arabian Neocons slip you some money how about thirty pieces of silver for your vote or compliancy in this war?
Write your congressman and let them know how you feel! firststatehttp://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

[bluestardad]

The middle east is not in Americas interest! Pull out 50 years of investment in blood, money, and effort has proven no results! Lets interupt your ignorance with some facts!

Founded in 1953 by Isaiah L. "Si" Kenen, AIPAC's original name was the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. According to UCLA political science professor and author, Steven Spiegel, "the tension between the Eisenhower administration and Israeli supporters was so acute that there were rumors (unfounded as it turned out) that the administration would investigate the American Zionist Council. Therefore, an independent lobbying committee was formed, which years later was renamed [AIPAC]." [SPIEGEL, p. 52].[citation needed] Today, AIPAC has over 100,000 members.[1]
Activities and stated goals
AIPAC's stated purpose is to lobby the Congress of the United States on issues and legislation "to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong so that both countries can work together" to meet the challenges of "stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, fighting terrorism and achieving peace".[2] It regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events where it can share its views. It also provides analysis of the voting records of U.S. federal representatives and senators with regard to how they voted on legislation related to Israel. The New York Times described AIPAC on July 6, 1987 as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East."

[vancouverboo]

When the Afghanis were fighting the Russian Invaders the US provided Stinger Missiles to the "Freedom Fighters" - amazing how much power there is in words - and that was OK. So?

[duckswill]

I had hope, but it is now obvious, anyone who works for this administration is or will be corrupt. Gates is a transparently pathetic lying version of Donald Rumsfeld.

[dallison7]

so does that mean we should topple the Bush administration?
Posted by pakaal

I'm in, where do we meet?

[dallison7]

These tribesmen have been fighting one another for fifteen hundred years. There is no 'National identy' in Iraq, only tribal. The different factions don't rely on borders. They are, each of them, spread throughout several countries. It is to be expected that tribesmen in Iran, Syria and other neighboring lands would want to fight alongside their 'brothers'. It is to be expected that some in Iran would wish to supply thier brothers in Iraq with dependable weapons. Our armed forces are beating a dead horse here, we cannot win this. What we can do, and appear to be in the process of doing, is expand this thing throughout the middle east. We need to get out of there as quickly as possible and let them fight this out. Our presence there is inflamatory.

[johnshaft4]

So what? US made phoney Iraq WMD documents found in the Pentagon (thank you, Douglas Feith) and the White House...Iranian "IEDS" = "B.F.D.". Who cares? Snore...

[firststate]

We've got resources in the Iran-Iraq area, but do we have enough troops to fight Iran? Military leaders are concerned about juggling troops for the surge in Iraq, if Iran were added wouldn't our ground forces be stretched beyond their limits? Planes and cruise missiles could knock out most of Iran's defenses, like in Iraq, but winning the peace after the military part isn't guaranteed. This crew hasn't done anything to indicate that it can get that part done.

"Quick-Draw McGraw" cheney and "Baba Looey" bush have managed to turn a stable Iraq into chaos worse than a regular civil war. Saddam was repressive, but efficient as a secular buffer to separate its neighbors where 1 of its 3 main antagonistic groups ruled. Removing Saddam and disbanding the military and police left Iraq without law enforcement, crime flourished unchecked. 41, Clinton and bush 43 were specifically warned about sectarian violence and chaos that would result from removing Saddam. True to the warnings the sectarian violence took hold and became routine. Hatred, revenge and repressed violence erupted into the current chaos.

Currently, everything from the b/c crew, except the protests that we don't want to attack Iran, is like the 2002-3 updates on Iraq's evil deeds. If they aren't trying to convince us that they may be forced, literally forced to attack Iran, somebody has mistakenly pulled out the "build up to attack" file. It's almost like being doomed to repeat history, before the history's ink has dried.

[pakaal]

Wow, so Iraqi fighters have gone across the border to buy weapons in Iran. Yeah, sure, that's grounds for us to topple their government, because of course Iranian weapons dealers must all have the full knowledge and backing of their government right?

So, when someone buys a gun from a weapons dealer in the US and then uses it to kill someone, the weapons dealer must have had the full knowledge and backing of the Bush administration to do so, so does that mean we should topple the Bush administration?

[radiob-2009]

A internet site operated by Al Queda in Iraq a country that only has eletricity for 3 hours a day? Complete with singing a little polished for a terrorist group.

[feelfree1]

The Israeli leaders are in desperate shape right now, but if they attack Iran, many of the Israeli sheep will undoubtedly rally behind their delusional leaders.

If this happens, the Democrats will have little choice but to throw their support behind our War Resident, since the Democrat Party is burried so deeply in the pockets of Israeli lobbiests.

It would be a win-win for the Bush terror regime. If they manage to crush Iran, which is doubtful, they can claim a major victory. If the attack turns to catastrophe, the Bush terrorists can declare martial law, suspend elections, round up dissenters, and launch a few nukes.

In any case, oil prices will skyrocket, overflowing the coffers of the oil Corporations, and military contractors will see record profits once again.

If this action results in global war and widespread depopulation, the Bush butchers win again, by satisfying their pro-armageddon dead-ender constituancy.

[grazinggoat]

RayHC1,
don't worry we can hit Iran and Russia and China and kick the heck out of them. Why are you so restrictive on the choice, man?. Bush and repukons' America have singinrick and lars008 ganging up with them, one praying and the other spewing... and a lot of spying on others as well...

But in the sick game of powers, China just used a new technololgy that downed a satellite of hers, flying at a speed of 18,000 miles per hour. It was as precise as DickCheney shooting the face of that guest-friend. That is quite chilling. It'll cool down the hot invasion-savvy spirit of the neocons in office.

[firststate]

This sentence from the article raises some troubling questions. "Gates' comments made official the Iran weapons connection first reported by CBS News at the end of January, when officials told national security correspondent David Martin that serial numbers on parts used to make advanced explosive devices, powerful enough to breach the armor on an American tank, had been traced directly back to Iran."

Where did the Iranian serial number information originate? Are we to believe that Iranian arms manufacturers provide that information to the US? Couldn't other parties supporting the Sunnis in Iraq's Civil war, like the Saudis, have weaponry produced with Iranian-like serial numbers, if that information is available. These Sunni interests might conclude that the US would help their efforts against the Shia in Iraq and Iran if we had evidence indicating Iran's involvement in the Iraq civil war.

If the alleged information about Iranian serial numbers comes from Iranian ex-patriots, it shouldn't be taken at face value. Remember that Iraqi es-patriots like Chalabi lied to help convince the US to invade Iraq. Iranian ex-patriots would also be telling the US whatever they think will advance their agenda by getting the US to act, whether or not it's true.

[rayhc1]

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail:[e-mail]

My OLD address: 2519 W. First St. Santa Ana, Ca. 92703

My CURRENT ADDRESS: 7032 Natal Drive (Unit B) Westminster, Ca. 92683

My CURRENT PHONE: [phone]

THE UNITED STATES MUST GET TOUGH WITH IRANIAN INDIVIDUALS WITHIN IRAQ! EACH INDIVIDUAL MUST BE INVESTIGATED!

I THINK THAT TAKING LARGE AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE AND PUTTING THEM INTO TENTS. THEN, SARCHING THEIR HOMES, VIA COURT ORDER, WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO DETER TERRORISM AND GET RID OF WEAPONS! OF COURSE, VIDEO TAPING SHOULD BE DONE TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED! IRAQ HAS TURNED INTO ANOTHER VIETNAM! A POLICE STATE IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM!

IF THE UNITED STATES LEAVES IRAQ, IRAQ WILL BE INVADED BY IRAN WITH RUSSIA! ALL WILL BE LOST! THE UNITED STATES MUST STAY THE COURSE TO GET THE JOB DONE IN IRAQ!

THE UNITED STATES MUST STAY OUT OF IRAN! IRAN HAS ATOMIC WEAPONS THAT IRAN PURCHASED FROM RUSSIA! ALSO, IRAN IS AN ALLY WITH RUSSIA, AND RUSSIA IS AN ALLY WITH CHINA! BOTH RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE H-BOMB TECHNOLOGIES!

CONTACT ME! THANK YOU.

[rayhc1]

CORRECTION TO EARLIER MESSAGE. MY E-MAIL ADDRESS:[e-mail]

[rayhc1]

My full name: Raymond Howard Carlson

My E-Mail: [e-mail]

My OLD address: 2519 W. First St. Santa Ana, Ca. 92703

My CURRENT ADDRESS: 7032 Natal Drive (Unit B) Westminster, Ca. 92683

My CURRENT PHONE: [phone]

THE UNITED STATES MUST SOLVE THE OIL PROBLEM! THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ARE MAKING DEALS WITH IRAN AND OTHER MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRIES!

THE UNITED STATES BIGGEST THREAT IS RUSSIA AND CHINA INDIRECTLY SUPPLYING RADICAL TERRORIST GROUPS WITH WEAPONS OF MASSDESTRUCTION--MOSTLY NUCLEAR.

CURRENTLY, THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE ARE LOOKING FOR CHEAP OIL IN THE MIDDLE EAST! BOTH THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE DESPARATELY NEED CHEAP OIL! BOTH THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE ARE MAKING DEALS WITH IRAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES WITHIN THE MIDDLE EAST!

BOTH THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE HAVE H-BOMB TECHNOLOGIES AND I.C.B.M.'S THAT CAN REACH THE UNITED STATES! THE BIGGEST THREAT IS NOT TERRORISM BY A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY; THE BIGGEST THREAT IS IRAN AND RUSSIA INDIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH IRAQ, ALONG WITH CHINA!

THE UNITED STATES MUST BUILD BASES IN IRAQ! N.A.T.O. SHOULD ASSIST IN THE OPERATION. THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT DO THIS ALONE! THE UNITED STATES MUST NEGOTIATE WITH THE "EUROPEAN UNION" OVER THIS ISSUE!

IN THE INTERIM, THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NEGOTIATE WITH RUSSIA AND CHINA WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE "EUROPEAN UNION"!

CONTACT ME! THANK YOU.

[clestes-2009]

"If Iran escalates its military actions in Iraq to the detriment of our troops and %u2014 or innocent Iraqi people, we will respond firmly."

Why can't people figure this one out?? Bush is trying to start a fight with Iran. He thinks this will save his presidency from the legacy of being the stupidest, most idiotic, blunderbust in the history of the US. It won't. He has already claimed that prize title.

I don't think he will be successful in starting his second middle east war. The military brass has already said they don't have the resources to fight a war in Iraq and Iran, but by God, dubya is shaking his finger in warning, making a fool of himself, per usual.

Keep yapping Bushie, everytime you open your mouth you continue to ensure the Dem will take the whitehouse in 2008.