Clark calls for dialogue on Iran--UPI

[Gloria]

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060130-035202-1930r

Clark calls for dialogue on Iran

By KATHERINE GYPSON AND PHILLIP TURNER
UPI Correspomdents

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Saying that the United States should resort to military force only after diplomatic options have been exhausted, retired Gen. Wesley A. Clark called for the Bush Administration to open a dialogue with Iran in an effort to diffuse the growing nuclear crisis.

Clark spoke at a New America Foundation event offering what he called "an honest and direct" foreign policy assessment in anticipation of President Bush's State of the Union address. Giving the keynote address at the end of a day largely spent criticizing the Bush Administration's diplomatic shortcomings, Clark said that "the State of the Union is not what it should be and not what it could be."

The former NATO allied Supreme Commander in Kosovo and candidate for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination has been a vocal critic of the administration, berating the president for allegedly letting Osama Bin Laden slip away during the 2003 battle for Tora Bora in Afghanistan and for rushing into an "unnecessary" war in Iraq. Clark believes that the invasion was an example of the United States using a large portion of its resources and attention on what he called the least important of the three members of the Axis of Evil.

"We have a military option for dealing with Iran," said Clark, "make no mistake about it." Despite the Bush administration's tough talk, "Iran is abandoning its international obligations."

Clark said the United States military is capable of devastating Iran's developing nuclear capabilities without seriously damaging oil production and hindering shipment through the Straits of Hormuz. He emphasized that the use of force should be an absolute last resort because a comprehensive U.S. military strike on nuclear facilities could result in "an embittered and vengeful Iran."

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[maddezmom]

1. * bombs first

then pretends to use diplomacy. Wish they would listen to Wes this time.

[Army]

2. If Iraq Has Taugh Us Anything

it is the danger of "an embittered and vengeful" foe. Bush won't listen this time either. The only cure is to take back the house and senate.

[0007]

3. Never did find Clark on c-span last night. Did anyone watch"

I gave up and went to bed.

[MrPrax]

4. Wow...brilliant...

So if 'diplomatically' the US doesn't get Iran to relinquish it's sovereignty, then bomb them?

Funny, Iran hasn't really done anything wrong...

Oh I get it...he wants to look like a moderate...

[Tinksrival]

5. You have read it with a bias

He is stating what we are capable of doing and following that with what should be a last, last, last resort. Which is consistent with what he always says. Which is why he testified before congress not to go into Iraq! AARRGGGGHHH!