Fallon urges Gulf allies to unite against Iran

[unhappycamper]

Fallon urges Gulf allies to unite against Iran
By Brian Murphy - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Sep 18, 2007 18:42:11 EDT

MANAMA, Bahrain — The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East is steering the topic away from Iraq and pressing Arab allies to form a more united front against Iran, seen by Washington as the region’s long-term threat.

At military compounds and royal reception halls across the Persian Gulf this week, Adm. William Fallon is delivering personal appeals to Arab leaders to counter Iran’s ambitions to expand its regional influence and move ahead with its nuclear program.

Fallon has carefully avoided publicly discussing any war contingency plans or making any direct threats against Iran, which sits in his sphere of operations. As head of U.S. Central Command, he oversees forces in Central Asia, the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.

His current 10-day trip, which began Saturday in Bahrain, was more about seeking to quietly galvanize Gulf leaders while letting others sharply escalate pressure on Tehran. On Sunday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said the world should prepare for war if Iran obtains nuclear weapons.

“We are not looking for a new NATO-type alliance against Iran,” Fallon told The Associated Press after talks with Bahrain’s defense minister, Sheik Khalifa bin Ahmad Al Khalifa.

But the U.S. wants that “when they (Iran) look to the Gulf, they see a group united in response to Iranian hegemonic behavior,” Fallon said.

Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/09/ap_fallon_070918/

[enid602]

1. when

Since when are Generals cheerleaders?

[tabatha]

2. I think Fallon is trying to do what Bush should be doing

... seeking a resolution to the problem that does not involve war. If Bush/Cheney were not warmongers, he probably would not be saying/doing anything.