well kramsie. I do not know how to put this... but, uhm, since you apparently are accusing me of not being able to read, please do point out where I fail. see, I really would like to learn all the skills you possess by studying in Canada*.
* translation in Dutch, French or Portuguese upon request.
Bush takes blame in Iraq, adds troops
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Buffmaster
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Report: Bush authorizes targeting Iranians in Iraq
January 26, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- President Bush has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian agents active inside Iraq, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the plan.
The move, approved last fall, is aimed at weakening Iran's influence in the region and forcing Tehran to abandon its nuclear program that the West believes is for nuclear weapons and not energy, the newspaper said, citing the unidentified officials.
For more than a year, U.S. forces have at times held dozens of Iranians for a few days, taking DNA samples from some as well as photographs and fingerprints from all those captured, the report said.
Several Iranian officials have been detained in three U.S. raids over the last month. Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters on Wednesday that details of accusations against them would be made public in the coming days.
He said the raids were "going after networks" of security agents, which he said were a mainstay of Iran's involvement in Iraq. The United States has accused Iran of helping arm, train and fund Iraqi militants, notably fellow Shiite Muslims.
Iran has long been at odds with the United States, pushing ahead with plans to enrich uranium as part of what Tehran calls a peaceful energy program. The West has feared that Iran instead has been trying to develop nuclear weapons.
The new policy applies to Iranian intelligence operatives and members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard thought to be working with Iraqi militias, but not civilians or diplomats, the newspaper said.
No deadly force was known to have been used by U.S. troops against any Iranians, but administration officials have been pushing military commanders to exercise that authority, it said.
The newspaper said there were skeptics in the intelligence community, State Department and Pentagon, including CIA Director Michael Hayden, who said Iranians may try to kidnap or kill U.S. personnel in Iraq as payback.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice backed the plan to help pressure Iran on the nuclear issue, but raised concerns about the risk for mistakes and demanded there be some oversight, the Post reported.
The newspaper said the Defense and State Departments referred inquiries to the White House National Security Council, which declined to comment on specifics of the plan.
But in response to questions about the "kill or capture" authorization, NSC spokesman Gordon Johndroe told the Post: "The president has made clear for some time that we will take the steps necessary to protect Americans on the ground in Iraq and disrupt activity that could lead to their harm. Our forces have standing authority, consistent with the mandate of the U.N. Security Council."
January 26, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- President Bush has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian agents active inside Iraq, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the plan.
The move, approved last fall, is aimed at weakening Iran's influence in the region and forcing Tehran to abandon its nuclear program that the West believes is for nuclear weapons and not energy, the newspaper said, citing the unidentified officials.
For more than a year, U.S. forces have at times held dozens of Iranians for a few days, taking DNA samples from some as well as photographs and fingerprints from all those captured, the report said.
Several Iranian officials have been detained in three U.S. raids over the last month. Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad told reporters on Wednesday that details of accusations against them would be made public in the coming days.
He said the raids were "going after networks" of security agents, which he said were a mainstay of Iran's involvement in Iraq. The United States has accused Iran of helping arm, train and fund Iraqi militants, notably fellow Shiite Muslims.
Iran has long been at odds with the United States, pushing ahead with plans to enrich uranium as part of what Tehran calls a peaceful energy program. The West has feared that Iran instead has been trying to develop nuclear weapons.
The new policy applies to Iranian intelligence operatives and members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard thought to be working with Iraqi militias, but not civilians or diplomats, the newspaper said.
No deadly force was known to have been used by U.S. troops against any Iranians, but administration officials have been pushing military commanders to exercise that authority, it said.
The newspaper said there were skeptics in the intelligence community, State Department and Pentagon, including CIA Director Michael Hayden, who said Iranians may try to kidnap or kill U.S. personnel in Iraq as payback.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice backed the plan to help pressure Iran on the nuclear issue, but raised concerns about the risk for mistakes and demanded there be some oversight, the Post reported.
The newspaper said the Defense and State Departments referred inquiries to the White House National Security Council, which declined to comment on specifics of the plan.
But in response to questions about the "kill or capture" authorization, NSC spokesman Gordon Johndroe told the Post: "The president has made clear for some time that we will take the steps necessary to protect Americans on the ground in Iraq and disrupt activity that could lead to their harm. Our forces have standing authority, consistent with the mandate of the U.N. Security Council."
Big Red died 23 NOV 2001
You owe your success to your first wife. You owe your second wife to your success---Sean Connery
You owe your success to your first wife. You owe your second wife to your success---Sean Connery
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Buffmaster
- Posts: 3570
- Joined: Fri May 12, 2006 11:37 am
- Location: The Alamo
Iran plans satellite launch, magazine reports
January 26, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Iran has converted a 30-ton ballistic missile into a launch vehicle that will be used to send a satellite into space soon, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine reported on its Web site on Thursday.
Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, spoke about the upcoming launch to religious students and clerics in Qom, the industry trade publication said.
The launcher is a version of the Shahab 3 missile that has a range of 800 to 1,000 miles, the magazine said, citing unidentified U.S. agencies. A missile of its kind could reach Saudi Arabia and as far west as Turkey, the report said.
Additionally, improvements in space launches could help Iran build an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of almost 2,500 miles, according to the magazine.
A satellite launch by Iran would likely increase concern by the United States and Europe about its strategic capabilities and intentions, the magazine said.
Iran has long been at odds with the United States and Europe, pushing ahead with plans to enrich uranium as part of what Tehran calls a peaceful energy program. The West has feared that Iran instead was trying to develop nuclear weapons.
January 26, 2007
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- Iran has converted a 30-ton ballistic missile into a launch vehicle that will be used to send a satellite into space soon, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine reported on its Web site on Thursday.
Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, spoke about the upcoming launch to religious students and clerics in Qom, the industry trade publication said.
The launcher is a version of the Shahab 3 missile that has a range of 800 to 1,000 miles, the magazine said, citing unidentified U.S. agencies. A missile of its kind could reach Saudi Arabia and as far west as Turkey, the report said.
Additionally, improvements in space launches could help Iran build an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of almost 2,500 miles, according to the magazine.
A satellite launch by Iran would likely increase concern by the United States and Europe about its strategic capabilities and intentions, the magazine said.
Iran has long been at odds with the United States and Europe, pushing ahead with plans to enrich uranium as part of what Tehran calls a peaceful energy program. The West has feared that Iran instead was trying to develop nuclear weapons.
Big Red died 23 NOV 2001
You owe your success to your first wife. You owe your second wife to your success---Sean Connery
You owe your success to your first wife. You owe your second wife to your success---Sean Connery
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