Bush Insists Iran Sending Arms To Iraq

But President Says He Doesn't Know If Top Iranian Leaders Are Responsible

(CBS/AP)  President Bush said Wednesday he's certain the Iranian government is supplying deadly weapons used by fighters in Iraq against U.S. troops, even if he can't prove that the orders came from top Iranian leaders.

"I can say with certainty that the Quds Force, a part of the Iranian government, has provided these sophisticated IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that have harmed our troops," Mr. Bush said at his White House news conference of the year.

"Whether Ahmadinejad (Iran's president) ordered the Quds force to do this, I don't think we know. But we do know that they're there, and I intend to do something about it," Mr. Bush continued.

The president was quick to say he isn't talking about attacking or invading Iran, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod, but he said he has no doubts that Iran is sending bombs and other weapons into Iraq.

"To say it is provoking Iran is just a wrong way to characterize the commander in chief's decision to do what is necessary to protect our soldiers in harm's way," Mr. Bush said.

The tough talk may have the opposite effect, reports Axelrod.

"What it's likely to do is not to get the Iranians to back away, but rather tempt them to show us they can't be pushed around," says Middle East expert Martin Indyk of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy and the Brookings Institution.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned Mr. Bush not to take any military action against Iran without getting congressional approval.

"If the administration believes that any, any use of force against Iran is necessary, the president must come to Congress to seek that authority," Clinton, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said in a Senate speech.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bush shrugged off congressional debate on a resolution opposing his Iraq policy, noting that the measure was nonbinding and mostly symbolic. But he said U.S. troops are counting on lawmakers to provide them the funds they need to win.

Mr. Bush spoke as the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives debated a measure opposing his decision to send some 21,500 additional troops to Iraq.

"They have every right to express their opinion, and it is a nonbinding resolution," he said of the House members. But he suggested he would dig in his heels if Congress wavered on emergency spending legislation to pay for the operation.

"Our troops are counting on their elected leaders in Washington, D.C. to provide them with the support they need to do their mission," Mr. Bush said.

In his first news conference since Dec. 20, the president said he had just received his first briefing from Baghdad by Gen. David Petraeus, the new chief commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.

Mr. Bush said he talked with Petraeus about coordination between Iraqi and coalition forces, and that while it seemed to be good, more work was needed on developing an efficient command-and-control structure.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bush responded carefully when asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent sharp criticism. He has a "complicated relationship" with the Russian leader, the president said.

Putin slammed U.S. domination of world affairs at an international conference of security officials in Germany over the weekend, saying the U.S. was making the world more dangerous by overusing its military power.

The depth of Putin's criticism surprised U.S. officials. Moscow and Washington drew closer together immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, but more recently relations have been strained.

Mr. Bush emphasized he and Putin have a lot they agree on, including on making sure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons.

The president also put the spotlight on the tentative nuclear deal with North Korea, CBS News correspondent Aleen Sirgany reports. The communist country agreed this week to halt its atomic program in exchange for oil.

"This is a good first step. There's a lot of work to be done to make sure the commitments made in this agreement become reality," he said.

On no issue was the president more emphatic than his refusal to discuss anything connected to the Lewis "Scooter" Libby trial. Three times he shut down a reporter who asked about the perjury trial of Libby, a former vice presidential chief of staff.

"Would you like to think of another question? Being the kind man that I am, I will recycle you," he told the reporter, drawing laughter.

Mr. Bush also served notice that he won't be commenting on the candidates running for his job. "I will resist all temptation to become the pundit-in-chief," he said.

On alleged Iranian involvement in Iraq, Mr. Bush appeared to back away from assertions at a weekend briefing in Baghdad by three senior U.S. military officials.

The officials said shipments into Iraq of deadly new weapons and technology had been approved at the highest levels in Tehran.

Mr. Bush said that he could only say "with certainty" that the weapons were provided by an elite part of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, which is part of the government.

But, the president added, he does not know whether the weapons were "ordered from the top echelons of government. But, my point is, what's worse, them ordering it and it happening, or them not ordering it and it happening?"

Mr. Bush spoke a day after Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cast doubts on the claims that higher-ups in the Iranian government had authorized the arming of Iraqi Shiite militias. Pace told reporters that materials used in some of the munitions could be traced to Iran, "but that does not translate that the Iranian government per se, for sure, is directly involved in doing this."

It is a sensitive issue, since the administration has been accused by its critics of basing the invasion of Iraq on faulty intelligence.

[frankbowers]

if he keeps saying it fore long the neo cons will believe it and it will be the headlines of ever newspaper and the topic of ever newscast. He needs to state where he got the information and that source need to be put under the truth serum for accuracy. the best of good byes from Frank Bowers in Austin, TX

[frankbowers]

if he keeps saying it fore long the neo cons will believe it and it will be the headlines of ever newspaper and the topic of ever newscast. He needs to state where he got the information and that source need to be put under the truth serum for accuracy. the best of good byes from Frank Bowers in Austin, TX

[frankbowers]

if he keeps saying it fore long the neo cons will believe it and it will be the headlines of ever newspaper and the topic of ever newscast. He needs to state where he got the information and that source need to be put under the truth serum for accuracy. the best of good byes from Frank Bowers in Austin, TX

[frankbowers]

How sad the neo con republicans have to use and quote not one republican but several war heros who were democrats and not deserters as george and di** are. It does my heart good to see the republicans short of men of the republican party making quotes suchs as "Ask not****" A man who nearly lost his live in the far east like John Kerry and nothing of the prior repubicans. The Republicans must be sick at heart not be able to show gwb's medal for deserting or cheneys for draft dodging.Yeah that is their hero's.Winston saying quot4es he was Bloke I remember him well he supported FDR 100%so what can they do.Not 1 standing up for what this little weasel&cheney for the oil of another country look at the BILLIONS LOST without knowledge as to whose checking accounts it is in.The best of good byes F Bowers of Austin, TX

[frankbowers]

I do not think many if any believe that he is not preparing to invade Iran are sick.The dam* man has lied Laura has a problem in believing him,if she does not she has a serious problem.This bas*ta*rd that is president of our country when his turn to go to war joined the Airforce Reserves and then not man enough for state duty even deserted that duty.Now he and the draft dodger cheney have no problem to send the young people of our nation over as fodder for THEIR OIL IN IRAQ the two of them are a disgrace to our nation.Anyone believing he is not willing/ready to attack Iran need a brain transplant.The 20m troops the front of the invasion nothing less.Frank Bowers

[david1737]

lars008...I googled your link to TAP. I found out that the head of TAP is partnered with David Horowitz here's what I got:

David Horowitz's

"Horowitz spent his college years, in the late 1950s, at Columbia University, where he was involved in American Maoist Communist political organizations. He went on to receive his Master%u2019s degree at another hotbed of liberalism, the University of California, Berkeley."

In fairness to Horowitz he had a "turn around" and became a conservative in '85. I don't trust these guys!

[david1737]

Bottom line who do you believe Bush or the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?

Bush=liar.

"Mr. Bush spoke a day after Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cast doubts on the claims that higher-ups in the Iranian government had authorized the arming of Iraqi Shiite militias. Pace told reporters that materials used in some of the munitions could be traced to Iran, "but that does not translate that the Iranian government per se, for sure, is directly involved in doing this."

[lars008-2009]

fighting and defeating fascist nazi islamic muslims makes us safer..... appeasing them does not.... just like it did not with fascist nazi germany....

Terrorism Awareness Project to wake up Americans and the World
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/islamic-mein-kampf

[docpeter-2009]

So, are we to believe as GWB wants us to believe that Iran is supplying arms to Iraqi insurgents? This would follow aong the same lines as we were expected to believe there were WMDs in Iraq and thad Sadman Hussein was hiding/harboring al queda operatives.

Really, GWB has lost ALL credibility with me and many Americans.

I do hope he doesn't start more *hit in the Middle East before he leaves office. He has NOT increased the safety and security of America. If anything he has made you less safe while invading your privacy.

If you really want to know what the Nation of Islam is listening to and thinking go to:

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24018_Dispatches-_Undercover_Mosque&only

Listen to the enitre 48 minutes of the report. You, America, are not safer with the war(s) in the Middle East. Remember that this report is what is goi9ng on in our closest allie's country. Don't think it is not happening here in America also.

[lars008-2009]

i guess that explains why clinton and the dems wanted to resume hostilities with iraq in 1998

the war is legal

the resumption of hostilities was only a matter of time since iraq broke the ceasefire agreement.....

[david1737]

lars008...That reply is just sad.

[lars008-2009]

and the british still stand by their that intel.....

[david1737]

lars008...Since you like cut & paste lines from famous Presidental speaches add this one:

During the State the Union Address on January 28, 2003, President Bush said:

"The British Government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa."

Consider the Context in which each speach was give then get back to us.

[rharrin1]

bush and cheney will pick a fight with anybody as long as they can send somebody else to do the fighting.

[lars008-2009]

One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

[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 "

[lars008-2009]

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Infamy Speech
December 8, 1941/September 12, 2001
The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

[lars008-2009]

Is islam a violation of international law???
islam practices slavery on non muslims
islam practices apartheid on non muslims
islam practices rape on non muslims
islam practices rape on babies and animals
islam practices genocide on non muslims
all are violations of international law and are crimes against humanity
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=slavery+islam&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=slavery muslim&btnG=Google Search
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4795808.stm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=apartheid islam
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=apartheid muslim
Malaysia women 'suffer apartheid'
The daughter of Malaysia's former prime minister has launched a scathing attack on the roles and status of Muslim women in the country.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4784784.stm
A matter of tolerance
http://musingwithmarinamahathir.blogspot.com/2006/12/matter-of-tolerance.html
Marina Mahathir
http://musingwithmarinamahathir.blogspot.com/
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rape islam
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rape muslim&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rape islam babies&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=rape muslim babies&btnG=Search
Imam Khomeini - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution
http://www.homa.org/Details.asp?ContentID=2137352826&TOCID=2083225445
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=genocide islam&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=genocide muslim

[lars008-2009]

here's your enemy skippy..... try to remember that..... there will be a test later....
UK TV AIRS SHOCK 'UNDERCOVER' LOOK INTO MAINSTREAM BRIT MOSQUES...
Dispatches: Undercover Mosque
This is part one of the much-anticipated UK Channel 4 documentary Dispatches: Undercover Mosque, exposing evidence of Islamic supremacism, shocking misogyny, and support for violence at a number of Britain%u2019s leading mosques and Muslim institutions. (Thanks again to LGF operative kasper.)
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24018_Dispatches-_Undercover_Mosque&only

Dispatches - Undercover Mosque (1 to 6)
UK Channel 4, aired 15th January 2007.
Radicalisation of UK mosques by Saudi Wahabbism
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dispatches+- Undercover Mosque
http://youtube.com/watch?v=peFQWuk4nuo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MuCLC8kjWCI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x5t5EqWX92k
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yMztM0Z7BYE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=V4Zv3BUmwqs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KvjvNScmTQA

[lars008-2009]

'Obsession'
Documentary gives insight into radical Islam%u2019s global threat
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/launchPage.html?110506/110506_fnl_obsession&%27Obsession%27&FNL&Documentary%20gives%20insight%20into%20radical%20Islam%92s%20global%20threat&Foxlife&-1&%27Obsession%27&Video%20Launch%20Page&News
http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/12min.htm
http://myspace.com/waragainstthewest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BL4-mxE87w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUpcpEQtgp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUqXSeCDJc