U.S. Could Wait For "Proof" Of Iran Threat

Gates: Proposed Missile Defense Sites In Europe Might Be Frozen Pending "Definitive Proof"

(CBS/AP)  The United States might delay activating its proposed missile defense sites in Europe until it has "definitive proof" of a missile threat from Iran, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday.

At a news conference after meeting Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, Gates said this was a proposal to the Russians - who strongly oppose U.S. missile defense - that has yet to be worked out in detail.

"We would consider tying together activation of the sites in Poland and the Czech Republic with definitive proof of the threat - in other words, Iranian missile testing and so on," Gates said with Topolanek at his side.

The United States wants to build a missile interceptor base in Poland and a radar site in the Czech Republic, but details have yet to be negotiated.

"We have not fully developed this proposal, but the idea was we would go forward with the negotiations, we would complete the negotiations, we would develop the sites, build the sites, but perhaps delay activating them until there was concrete proof of the threat from Iran," the defense chief said.

U.S. officials have said that the proposal tying activation of the European sites to proof of an Iranian threat was presented to the Russians by Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice earlier this month. But Gates' remarks in Prague were the most specific and clear that such a proposition raises the prospect of delay.

Iranian officials insist their nuclear effort is entirely peaceful - designed to produce energy only - but the Bush administration and some of its allies suspect Tehran of covering up a clandestine weapons program.

Much of the disagreement between Washington and Moscow over missile defense in Europe has centered on the question of when Iran's missile program would reach the stage where it could threaten all of Europe and the United States. The Russians say that is a far-distant prospect; the Americans say it is coming soon.

Gates described a related proposal to the Russians that might mean permitting a Russian presence at U.S. missile defense bases, including at the Polish and Czech sites. He said this was presented to the Russians in the interest of making as transparent as possible to Moscow how the missile defense sites operate.

Asked whether having Russians on his territory would be acceptable to the Czech government, Topolanek pointedly declined to say. "No comment," he said through an interpreter. Prior to the breakup of the Soviet empire, Czechoslovakia was part of the Warsaw Pact that opposed the U.S.-led NATO alliance.

Gates stressed that any proposal that involved allowing a Russian presence on Czech soil as monitors or inspectors of the radar site would be presented first to the Czech government and would not be negotiated with the Russians unless the Czechs agreed. Topolanek nodded his head.

Meanwhile, Iran's new top nuclear negotiator was to hold his first meeting with the EU's foreign policy chief over Tehran's contentious nuclear program on Tuesday in Rome.

Saeed Jalili, a little known diplomat, was appointed his country's chief negotiator after Ali Larijani stepped down this weekend. The departure of the moderate Larijani was seen as a victory of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that could push the Islamic Republic into an even more defiant position in its standoff with the West.

However, Larijani was set to attend the Rome talks Tuesday alongside Jalili and the EU's Javier Solana, according to Iran's Foreign Ministry. The talks had been scheduled before Larijani's replacement.

On Tuesday, officials in Solana's office declined to confirm the meeting's agenda, saying only that the discussions aim to push Tehran to enter formal negotiations on its nuclear program.

The U.N. Security Council has imposed two sets of sanctions over Iran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

The U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, with E.U. support, agreed last month to delay until November any new U.N. resolution to toughen sanctions, giving Iran more time to cooperate with an investigation into past nuclear activities by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Larijani was viewed as more moderate compared with Ahmadinejad, and the two often clashed over how to negotiate with the world on the nuclear issue.

[killtheliars]

We are playing the same game as Iran here. When Gates states we would develop and build the sites but dealy activating them he is full of ***. Once those sites are built they will be activated. this is just a tactic to stall scrutiny on these sites.

[i_say_so]

Proofs?More proofs?How many more proofs?...........
Iran already has long range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads( about 1,500 miles)......
Iran is already enriching uranium.........
Iran has a historic of saying one thing and doing the contrary.........
If the United States keep waiting more proofs one day Ahmadinejad will call a press conference and say: ladies and gentlemen, we got the bomb. Then it will be too late.

[roger_inkart]

I would imagine Mr. Cheney is over at the CIA at this moment making sure they find the ''proof'' he needs.

[antoniof123]

What a joke trillions for weapons of destruction and our children go hungry and with out medical care.

I bet that your kids have it don''t they oh yes, my taxes pay for the very best for you. You people are dumber then dirt and deserve what you get.

This is the same stuff they were saying in the 1960''s about Russia and they would destroy us. Dumb morons no one wins in a Nuclear war.

[roger_inkart]

If the United States keep waiting more proofs one day Ahmadinejad will call a press conference and say: ladies and gentlemen, we got the bomb. Then it will be too late.

Posted by I_Say_So at 09:40 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Yeah, yeah. We heard the same *** before we invaded Iraq.

That''s the problem when you cry wolf. People tend to not believe you when there''s an actual threat. Blame the lunatics and morons of the Bush administration for this.

Regardless, the US is in NO position to engage Iran militarily. The world and the American public won''t stand for another of our pre-emtive wars. We won''t let the clueless right-wing lunatic fringe dictate the foreign policy of the nation any longer.

[i_say_so]

rogeR_inkart: Are you trying to protect Iran? Why dont you move to that ********* shiite piece of desert? Are you another brainwashed by dems anti-war propaganda or a coward traitor?

[i_say_so]

Proofs?More proofs?How many more proofs?...........
Iran already has long range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads( about 1,500 miles)......
Iran is already enriching uranium.........
Iran has a historic of saying one thing and doing the contrary.........
If the United States keep waiting more proofs one day Ahmadinejad will call a press conference and say: ladies and gentlemen, we got the bomb. Then it will be too late.

[roger_inkart]

rogeR_inkart: Are you trying to protect Iran? Why dont you move to that ********* shiite piece of desert? Are you another brainwashed by dems anti-war propaganda or a coward traitor?

Posted by I_Say_So at 09:52 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Easy there Clyde. As with most rightwing lunatics you''re awfully tough sitting behind that keyboard. Why aren''t you enlisted? A coward is someone who won''t do his own fighting. At least I''m not demanding someone fight and die for my idealogy while I sit comfortably in my office or house.

Brainwashed? Take a look in the mirror jacka$$.

[hwy71so]

Yep, they were talking peace when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

[roger_inkart]

Yep, they were talking peace when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

Posted by Hwy71So at 10:06 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Ironically, it was the conservatives in America who wanted the US to stay out of WWII. There were some who even wanted us to join in on the Axis side.

[wolf563]

RAN DOES NOT NEED NUCLEAR BOMBS BECAUSE THEY HAVE ENOUGH NUCLEAR MATERIAL TO MAKE HUNDREDS OF DIRTY BOMBS THAT WILL DO THE JOB FOR THEM . ONE BOMB AT ANY U.S. MILLITARY BASE AND THAT BASE IS HISTORY . IRAN HAS THOUSANDS OF SHORT RANGE MISSILES CAPABLE OF RADIATING THE M.E. AND WILL DO SO SOON ENOUGH .

[hwy71so]

Well, liberal or conservative, its not good practice to let your enemy (potential enemy) tell you how to set up your defenses.

[roger_inkart]

Waiting for proof of threat BEFORE we attack?!?! Can this administration do that???

Posted by matvei1107 at 10:14 AM : Oct 23, 2007

That depends on three key factors:

1. Will the congress roll over and play dead like before?
2. Will the ''librul'' media parrot the White House talking points and report the administration''s version of the news uncritically and overwhelmingly pro-war like it did in the lead-up to the Iraq invasion?
3. Can they again spin and twist murky intel into a clear and present danger?

So, these factors have to be addressed before the Bush administration can again take the nation needlessly to war.

[baghdadshere]

Easy there Clyde. As with most rightwing lunatics you''''re awfully tough sitting behind that keyboard. Why aren''''t you enlisted? A coward is someone who won''''t do his own fighting. At least I''''m not demanding someone fight and die for my idealogy while I sit comfortably in my office or house.

Brainwashed? Take a look in the mirror jacka$$.


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Posted by rogeR_inkart at 09:58 AM : Oct 23, 2007
......................................
I dont sign up for the arm bcause i already have my profession and my job. Those who signed up always knew there was a possibility they could go to war. Nobody enlist just to get paid to stay home. I would gladly leave my keyboard and pick up a M16 if i had to.................
I am not a coward hen democrats voter.

[i_say_so]

Posted by rogeR_inkart at 09:58 AM : Oct 23, 2007
..................................
....
I dont sign up for the arm bcause i already have my profession and my job. Those who signed up always knew there was a possibility they could go to war. Nobody enlist just to get paid to stay home. I would gladly leave my keyboard and pick up a M16 if i had to.................
I am not a coward hen democrats voter.


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Posted by BaghdadsHere at 10:20 AM : Oct 23, 2007


Thats great BaghdadsHere. I couldnt find a better response for rogeR_inkart . Thanks.

[mbcsmith]

**** I_Say_So...Israel has nukes too.
Iran is no better or worse.


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Posted by jh6379 at 09:59 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Here''s the difference monkey boy. Israel is not calling for the destruction of Iran nor are they providing material support to terrorist organizations.

[mbcsmith]

Can we leave Iran alone already? We''''ve already screwed up Iraq!


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Posted by jh6379 at 09:50 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Saddam screwed up Iraq jidadi.

[jasarack]

The wreckless invasion of Iraq by the Bush Administration and its neocon supporters is an unmitigated disaster of historic proportions. Now, the same group is telling us to prepare for a war with Iran. Unfortunately, without strong objections from Congress and the American people, this is another disaster waiting to happen.

[i_say_so]

Proofs?More proofs?How many more proofs?...........
Iran already has long range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads( about 1,500 miles)......
Iran is already enriching uranium.........
Iran has a historic of saying one thing and doing the contrary.........
If the United States keep waiting more proofs one day Ahmadinejad will call a press conference and say: ladies and gentlemen, we got the bomb. Then it will be too late.

[roger_inkart]

I dont sign up for the arm bcause i already have my profession and my job. Those who signed up always knew there was a possibility they could go to war. Nobody enlist just to get paid to stay home. I would gladly leave my keyboard and pick up a M16 if i had to.................

Posted by BaghdadsHere at 10:20 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Perfect. Just the response I was looking for. You don''t fight your own battles and you even go so far as to belittle those who do it for you. You would only fight ''if you had to.''

From your own words you prove to everyone here you are very definition of a coward.

[marcodele]

I love watching the war mongering neocons advocate war in Iran while we are still losing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The war in Iraq was inititated by cherry picked intelligence by the Bush machine, including Colin Powell showing congress pictures of cement trucks and saying they were full of chemicals.

And yet we have another outcry by the neocons for a ''shock and awe'' show again Iran. Yet it is never themselves or their kids they want to send to war.
No soldier or soldier''s parent has ever said "Hella yes, let''s not wait for proof, let''s just go to war."

They sure seem eager to sacrifice the lives of others - yet never their own. Ah, such is the theme of the past seven years in American history: The Hypocrisy Era.

[mbcsmith]

Israel shouldn''''t have nukes either...nor our money.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since you are obviously posting from Pakistan, take your anti-semitism to the streets of Karachi. You will get a better reception.

[mudrose-2009]

Posted by marcodele

Psssst. The surged worked. Didn''t you listen to Obama pleading with his disposable army to rally around the raghead?

[i_say_so]

Perfect. Just the response I was looking for. You don''''t fight your own battles and you even go so far as to belittle those who do it for you. You would only fight ''''if you had to.''''

From your own words you prove to everyone here you are very definition of a coward.


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Posted by roger_inkart at 10:35 AM : Oct 23, 2007
..........................................

roger_inkart : I will repeat so your brainwashed big head can understand: If i did not have my profession and job i would sign for the army. I am not a coward hen brainwashed by democrats anti-war propaganda.

[roger_inkart]

They sure seem eager to sacrifice the lives of others - yet never their own.

Posted by marcodele at 10:41 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Oh, but they have an excuse: Like Bahgdad Bob they''re all too BUSY. They''re fighting for freedom inbetween page refreshes of the Drudge Report and cute kitten clips on YouTube.

[papabc]

Why wait unit Iran strikes or a EU 9/11.

Don''t have to hit Iran with a hammer but should get ready just in case they try to hit with their hammer first.

[mudrose-2009]

The wreckless invasion of Iraq by the Bush Administration and its neocon supporters is an unmitigated disaster of historic proportions. Now, the same group is telling us to prepare for a war with Iran. Unfortunately, without strong objections from Congress and the American people, this is another disaster waiting to happen.
Posted by jasarack

Oh, like the holocaust?

[i_say_so]

I love watching the war mongering neocons advocate war in Iran while we are still losing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Posted by marcodele at 10:41 AM : Oct 23, 2007
...........................
Havent you read the news lately? The surge is working pretty good. Al-qaeda in Iraq is defeated. Violence has dropped accord to all reports. No more truck bombers in crowded market. Anbar province is a roses garden. No more death squads......

[roger_inkart]

roger_inkart : I will repeat so your brainwashed big head can understand: If i did not have my profession and job i would sign for the army.

Posted by I_Say_So at 10:45 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Ah, phase two of the standard rightwinger meltdown. Looking foward to phase three.

You are a coward. You demand others fight your battles. Again, that is the very definition of one.

Regardless, I would imagine Pat Tillman''s potential career whomped a$$ all over yours, but he signed up, didn''t he? But then again, he was a far, far better man then you''ll ever be.

He is a hero. You are a coward. That is the straight dope whether you like it or not.

[mudrose-2009]

roger_inkart : I will repeat so your brainwashed big head can understand: If i did not have my profession and job i would sign for the army. I am not a coward hen brainwashed by democrats anti-war propaganda.
Posted by I_Say_So

Save you breath. A lot of these dudes are all sour grapes.

[roger_inkart]

The surge is working pretty good.
Posted by I_Say_So at 10:49 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Actually, we''ve worked pretty much to a stalemate. Bush stated blankly the purpose of the surge was to bring about conditions for political reconciliation. The Iraqi leaders have stated this won''t happen. There is no political progress to hold the military gains.

One reason the casualties are down is that al Sadr called off his militia. We''ve also armed the Sunnia militia with no guarantee who they will be loyal to.

Also, reports are saying al-Qaeda is driving official Iraqi US supplied vehicles around Iraq. Does that sound like they''ve been defeated?

[dhcobra]

Let''s let Gates & his people along with Dr. Rice do their work to try to solve the problems. If we can just keep Bush fron getting in the way to screw things up it will be a much better world.

[bogusbones]

Why wait? This Administration works on gut feeling. DuH! I think someone''s got a bomb. Before we investigate fully (Saddam/WMD''s ha ha) we should invade just to make sure. Any excuse to exercise power, spend taxpayer money and make us more hated in the world is the mantra of this Administration and we''ll destroy the environment while we''re at it.

Get out of the Middle East. It''s all about religion. They don''t want us, they don'' like us, they don''t understand us and now they hate us. But George and his new found religion and democratic fervor will help bury us in a war with no end. Go to Crawford and fight with your neigbors.

[thinkharder-]

I swear...in listening to these right wing fascists, it would seem they are never happy unless we are at war. Do we really need to be killing people for yo uguys to get your rocks off. Jesus must be looking down on you folks with a *** eating grin on his face. If Iran wants to attack Isreal...let ''em. Yo uand I know it will be the last thing they ever do. Yo upeople need to get this administrations fear/war mongering, pre-emptive tactics out of your minds. Its pure evil.

[frankly6]

The administration lied about Iraq''s WMD''s and so much more. How can we trust their word on Iran''s nuke program?

[bobacorn]

We might be waiting for a while ...

[i_say_so]

Simplemind2 change your nickname to Sickmind2. You are one more sickmind brainwashed by coward democrats anti-war propaganda in the past 6 years........
Do you think Putin vodka dependant will stand by Ahmadinejad in a war against the west? Go to a hospital to cure your sickmind.

[i_say_so]

Also, reports are saying al-Qaeda is driving official Iraqi US supplied vehicles around Iraq. Does that sound like they''''ve been defeated?
..............................
If thats happening probably terrorists are driving cars taken from iraq forces after a gun battle. Here once in a while we see robbers driving police cars too.

[bareemperor]

The US might wait, but the current administration has this ''pre-emptive strike'' mentality...

And there IS oil in the ground in Iran...

Awww, what the he ll - let''s just take the oil and deal with the rest of the world later!

[lloydbest1]

Posted by rogeR_inkart at 09:40 AM

Why get the CIA to "find" the evidence when either Bush or Cheney (or both) can simply manufacture it. We''ve been had by false flags before; This administration is certainly capable of waving another.
If I were living in a smallish "liberal" city such as Madison, Wisconsin; Eugene, Oregon or Berkeley, California I would be very worried about now...

[roger_inkart]

If thats happening probably terrorists are driving cars taken from iraq forces after a gun battle. Here once in a while we see robbers driving police cars too.

Posted by I_Say_So at 11:33 AM : Oct 23, 2007

Actually, it probably bodes more ill then your happy face spin tried to put on it. But then again I wouldn''t expect a reasonable and critical assessment of the realities on the ground in Iraq from a war supporter then I would from a paid cheerleader as to how their team on the field is doing.

[bigsk8fan]

why would bush wait for proof of a threat now from iran? we didn''t need any proof to attack iraq!

[middleman8]

I say so:

You sound very young,and thank you for all the free advice, but if we wanted to hear an a-s-s-h-o-l-e talk we would f-a-r-t.

[harp1963]

I just heard Bush saying on the radio Iran could have a intercontinental ballistic missle that could reach America by 2016. What a manipulative idiot we have for President. If Iran ever did have one, they would have to have a case of dumb, never before seen in the history of mankind to fire it. There would be no Iran left shortly after a dumb secenerio like the one I just heard our moronic President describe on the radio.

[navyretired2]

"Actually, it probably bodes more ill then your happy face spin tried to put on it. But then again I wouldn''''t expect a reasonable and critical assessment of the realities on the ground in Iraq from a war supporter then I would from a paid cheerleader as to how their team on the field is doing.

Posted by roger_inkart at 11:46 AM : Oct 23, 2007"

Along that line of thinking, I wouldn''t believe an assessment of the war or surge from a strict anti-war person either. Both ends of the argument are prone to exaggerations of fact to support their particular level of support/disagreement with the conflict in general...as many have proven on this board time and again by yourself and many others.

[i_say_so]

After all that education, if you still believe Bushit doctrine - then I suggest you
accept the $20,000 "quick-ship" instant cold-cash by signing up our military - they need people just like YOU real bad!!!
LOL.


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Posted by Simplemind2 at 11:56 AM : Oct 23, 2007
...............................
Sickmind2: Is this post a recorded tape? You always reapeat it whenever you run out of arguments.......

Youre one more Hysterical brainwashed sickmind democrats voter.

[i_say_so]

I just heard Bush saying on the radio Iran could have a intercontinental ballistic missle that could reach America by 2016. What a manipulative idiot we have for President. If Iran ever did have one, they would have to have a case of dumb, never before seen in the history of mankind to fire it. There would be no Iran left shortly after a dumb secenerio like the one I just heard our moronic President describe on the radio.


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Posted by harp1963 at 12:08 PM : Oct 23, 2007

harp1963: You must learn how to read between the lines......
What GWB wanted to say is that once Iran gets missiles capable to reach the US, it would be more difficult to neutralize that terrorist sponsor state without a big loss of lives here in the US....
Thats why GWB is the greatest president in history while you are just a post in this site.

[clestes-2009]

Since the head of the IAEA says Iran is 3 to 8 years away from having even 1 nuc bomb, I hardly see the need to spend badly needed money on useless missle bases that only **** off Russia, when it is needed here at home for domestic emergencies.

The wildfires alone are burning Southern CA to the ground, displacing millions of people and going to cost billions. It is time to stop spending ALL our money on war and defense.

[drummer94]

"...go forward with negotiations....complete negotiations...develop the sites...build the sites..but perhaps delay activating them...until there was concrete proof..."- Bob Gates. WOW. In other words, since we have so much money we will give more of it to our defense contractor buds even though we might not need it. This from the guy who "heard" the marines "might" redeploy. Sheesh.

[drummer94]

"That''s why GWB is the greatest president in history..." LMMFAO ''Ol loony-toon wants to have permanent bases in Iraq so his oil buds get fatasser, he could just base a few icbm"s there. Your twisted like him. And I say so.