"We are in favour of dialogue. But in order for us to talk they are imposing a condition that would deprive us of our right," Ahmadinejad said Tuesday in a public rally in Rasht, the capital of the northern Gilan province.
+++++++++

these rights inculde the right to be bombed to destroy their nuclear capabilities.........

Posted by: The Texican at February 21, 2007 10:38 AM

"Ahmad rejected a looming UN deadline"

Oh course he did. How many times does the UN need to hear the same answer over and over again. Ahmad knows he can get away with dismissing their requests because the UN won't do anything. The UN is like a toothless lion.

Posted by: champ at February 21, 2007 11:33 AM

When will Americans be allowed to reject the UN?
Can't we get it out of NYC? It sits on prime real estate.

Posted by: PMK at February 21, 2007 12:08 PM

Remember the UN deadline of August 30, 2006 ?

Posted by: A_Plague_on_Both_Houses at February 21, 2007 12:57 PM

if it weren't for Iraq and the WMD debacle i bet we would have bombed his sites already. Our administration and congress are just to afraid to lose face again to do it this time. Our hope rests in Israel

Posted by: kelisw at February 21, 2007 1:06 PM

Ahmadinejad just looks at Iraq and laughs...the UN resolutions to Iraq include the following resolutions:

651 661 662 665 666 667 669 670 671 674 646 677 678 685 686 687 688 689 692 699 700 705 706 707 712 715 773 778 806 833 899 949 986 1051 1060 1111 1115 1129 1134 1137 1143 1153 1155 1158 1175 1194 1205 1210 1242 1266 1275 1280 1281 1284 1293 1302 1330 1352 1360 1382 1409 1441 1443 1447 1454 1472 1483 1490 1500 1511 1518

....at least we worked with Iraq for a little while....How many UN resolutions have be issued to Iran?......The UN..paper tiger....

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 21, 2007 1:16 PM

Well I've had enough of this BS, I'm calling my Congresswoman and both Senators and demanding a non-binding resolution condemning Iran and calling for a stronger UN resolution.

That'll teach em.

Sarcasm off.

Posted by: walterc at February 21, 2007 1:40 PM

The new UN building should be relocated either to Tehran or somewhere in Darfur....

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 21, 2007 1:53 PM

exsgtbrown,

How about deep underground in an extremely hot place?

Posted by: unicorns62000 at February 21, 2007 1:57 PM

A cursory examination of some of Ahmadinejad's closest advisors reveals what we're dealing with. A nest of rats:

Defence Minister: Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar
Former commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
Was the senior commander of the IRGC in Lebanon during the 1983 homicide bomber attack of the U.S. Marine Corps barracks in Beirut. 241 Marines were murdered in the attack. Mohammad-Najjar has been linked to the bombing by some U.S. officials.

Mohammad-Najjar was in charge of the Middle East Directorate in 1982. Under his command, the Directorate conducted clandestine "operations" in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Jordan. The formation of Hezbollah in Lebanon was developed under the careful guidance of the Directorate.

In 1979, Mohammad-Najjar was personally involved in the campaign to crush the Kurdish uprising in western Iran.

Minister of the Interior: Hojjatol-Islam Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi
Radical Shiite cleric, Pour-Mohammadi, handles all dissident and anti-government uprisings. Pour-Mohammadi personally issued the death sentences for scores of student protestors and university teachers in Bandar Abbas during the 1980s. Under his direction, Revolutionary Guard units arrested hundreds who spoke out against the government. After a quick trial, each dissident was summarily shot.

Foreign Minister: Manouchehr Mottaki
Expelled from Turkey in 1989, where he served as ambassador, for involvement in terrorist operations and assassinations within Turkey. He joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in 1979 and was actively involved in the murderous campaign to suppress Kurdish uprisings. During his tenure as ambassador to Turkey, Iranian dissidents seeking political asylum in Turkey were routinely handed over to the Iranian embassy. Mohammad Qaderi and Bahram Azarnia were two such dissidents. Their tortured bodies were found in a pool of blood several days later by Turkish police. Turkish security services caught Mottaki trying to bribe Turkish officials into silence over the murders but no action was taken. In an agreement with Iran in 1989, Turkey simply allowed Iran to withdraw Mottaki as ambassador to avoid any embarrassment.

Mottaki also served as the Vice-president of Islamic Cultural and Communications Organization. The main purpose of that organization is to spread Islamic revolution throughout Muslim nations.

Security Bureau of Armed Forces: Mohammad Kossari
Kossari is a hard-liner against any negotiations that would hinder Iran's nuclear program. Kossari has helped to organize divisions of "martyrdom-seeking individuals" for possible attacks on Western targets if Iran's nuclear facilities are bombed by the U.S. or Israel. He states plainly and clearly that Iran's goal is to become the superpower in the region.

Ahmadinejad's personal mentor, Ayatollah Mohammad-Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, is an extremist Shiite cleric who regularly advises Ahmadinejad to use "martyrdom operations" as the preferred method of dealing with the enemies of Islam.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the ultimate authority on all matters of state, has given his personal "blessing" on each of these rats.

Posted by: Anti Islamian at February 21, 2007 4:44 PM

Make all wagers on a peaceful settlement accordingly.

Posted by: Anti Islamian at February 21, 2007 4:47 PM

How come; nuclear enrichment is only safe with a country who made atomic bombs out of it and dropped it at Hiroshima and Nagasaki; destroying every thing standing above the ground and killing Millions of innocent people; where as it is said that it may not be safe with….Iran?

Why our conscious, doesn’t prick us?

Posted by: A Khokar at February 21, 2007 4:58 PM

Well, I see the final resolution is gonna be: "Booooom!"

Posted by: Jeff at February 21, 2007 7:41 PM

Tehran’s Holocaust circus was a propaganda tool. Invitees had no accomplished work in the field. Holocaust scholars were not at the conference.

Posted by: SFOD at February 21, 2007 11:47 PM

A "Crocker" said---Why doesnt conscious prick us?

Well, Ill tell you. Sure we grieve at the loss of innocent life but something most people dont know is, Hitler's scientists had developed weapons grade uranium and when he got a sense that the war was lost he shipped a quanity to Japan on a u-boat. The war with Germany ended during the trip but the u-boat captain sailed on anyway and delivered the cargo to Japan. Japan had no delivery system as did the Germans or technology to make it into a bomb so they loaded the radioactive material onto a giant sub that had already been built. on the deck of this sub they fashioned a large pod big enough to hold a sea plane inside. Their plan was to sail to the west coast just off San Francisco, surface and have the plane fly a few short miles and drop all that "dirty bomb" material on the city. We bombed them on Aug. 6th and Aug. 9th, 1945. The day they were going to bomb San Fran. was the sunday following the 9th.

I never knew this, but just happened to see a documentury about this on the History channel just a few weeks ago.

I guess a couple of hundred thousand or so dead in California would be ok since we were sooooo meanie-nasty to seek revenge for Pearl.

Posted by: guide inside at February 21, 2007 11:56 PM

We may be surprised…

Scenarios of nuking Hiroshima and Nagasaki ... soon may be revived in Iran. Plans of throwing of deep penetrating bunk buster bombs to make a cave like holes and then driving the precision guided nuclear arsenals through those holes to attack deep down on the well hidden Iranian nuclear assets, are in the offing.

Although United State suffered an acute humiliation in Iraq and American public has totally rejected the Neocons policies in Iraq; but Conservative are still clinging to their failed policies; as the executive power and White House administration keys still rest with them. Under the present situation with the history of committal of series of blunders and set backs in Iraq; they are the most desperate lot.

To leave from Iraq with a legacy of defeat; this scenario may not be liked by out going Conservative; It is but certain to bring about, some odd scenario which can change their earned shame into some fame. Some thing; which is at least seen as victory like silihouette for the returning armed forces.

To eliminate, destroy the declared ‘axis of evil’; Iran, may be the only option to scale down the anarchy in Iraq and to turn the shame into fame.

The huge forces are being redeployed, in and around Persian Gulf. Argument can be given? That the deputing the new naval fleets in Persian Gulf and induction of additional troops to over swell the presence of forces; is an act of Brinkmanship that; seeing the display of arms rattling and threatening plans of US Forces being widely discussed in the media; Iran will eventually budge and surrender to the will of Neocons.

But to force Iran into some agreement to US terms at the negotiation table may not be the aim to satisfy the required out come at the moment. Neither a regime change option may be the priority. Eliminating Iran completely may be the ultimate option to mark it a sure success in Middle East.

Destruction of few nuclear sites may push the Iranian programmes few years back but it may not eliminate their programme all together because they may save, hide their assets before hand. This action may not mark an achievement to turn the Iran-Iraq scenario into success. To destroy Iran Armed forces and their capabilities and reduce them effectively or scale them down to a (maximum) depleted level; may be the 'option to be adopted', to serve the purpose. For which targets in thousand, deep in side Iran will be selected.

Israel prospective in this scenario is also to be kept in mind. Israel wants to bury the pains of her humiliating bog down and retreat of Israeli forces experienced in Lebanon- Israel, 34 days war. Israel has the earnest desire to turn the page of shame into fame and bring about a fresh start for Israel. Israeli chief of staff, General Dan Halutz has just resigned (owing to his ill planning in the above war) and Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert may be the next in line. Attacking Iran and eliminating it, is but essential.

In both the cases; eliminating Iran; reducing its Armed forces to its least potent size and scale; plus destroying its nuclear sites is the only easy option for US-Israel joint operation to go ahead with and to achieve the well wished victory and regain the lost US glory in the Middle East. This last ditch is ought to be attempted; to be crossed.

But Iran being at the helms of affairs has some, certain obligations to their land, to full fill;

In order to escape a catastrophe waiting to happen and avert an annihilation of its country and loss of lives of millions of people; Iran to stop check the US onslaught and create lasting deterrence; is left with no option but to declare it self nuclear power and test (prove) its effective long range delivery system.

It will save lives of millions and make the peace a lasting possibility in the Middle East.

The lives it may save; may not be only of millions and millions of destitute Iraqis and Iranians; but also of American, Israelis and of many others, being prepared to be put in as fodder of planned inferno of war, in and around the Middle East.

--------------------------------
Love for all, Hatred for none

Posted by: A Khokar at February 22, 2007 2:05 AM

Bush's got a huge problem on his hand. There's a good chance Iran is not going to take the threat of military action seriously with Dems in control, and you know the Dems will cut off funding to US troops in Iraq about 5 seconds after their strategists decided this could win them the presidential election.

Bush basically made a huge mistake in giving Saddam time to move his chemical weapons, likely to Syria, while wasting time trying to get a UN resolution that he never going to get. I mean, if someone has pot in his house, and the cops spent months trying to get a resolution in the UN to get permission to search his house, will the pot be there when they show up at the guy's house months later? US forces of course could have located the chem weapons if they subjected Sadam and a few other guys to torture, but hey, the Supreme Court probably would find that violates Sadam's rights under the US Constitution.

Another major mistake was getting a use of force authorization instead of a traditional declaration of war on terrorism, and in Iraq, which would have more directly given him the power to censor the press. This is really inexcusable, because he should have known that even a low casualty rate, if sustained, will have the Dems and their media lapdogs turn this against the Reps in the election. Al Qaeda certainly knew that. I don't think Cheney and Bush fully realize how dangerous the current situation. This Democratic strategy of running on defeat, is going to cost our country BIG TIME at some point. US forces have had a target on their back ever since the Dems teamed with the MSM and threw away a WON war by cutting South Vietnamese military aid in the face of a Northern Vietnamese invasion, and then created the myth of how we could have never won that war. Ever since, every opponent US forces have faced hopes on to hold on long enough until the Dems declare defeat. If the Dems pull this off again in Iraq, the deterrent effect of US military will be seriously undermined.

The Republicans need to grow a pair and start acting on principles. Cheney is backpedaling from his comments about Pelosi saying that he wasn't questining her patriotism.
But the **** is not only unpatriotic in her Iraq policy but outright treasonous. So he should just go out and say the truth, then if the Republicans lose, at least they can look at themselves in the mirror. We already have one party that is machiavellian and winning elections is more important to them then saying the truth or doing the right thing, so the Republicans have to present a real alternative to that if they want to win the elections - or more importantly - be able to respect themselves after the election. One good way to start would be to defend US territorial integrity - you know, stuff people used to take for granted - by enforcing immigration laws.

Posted by: godfreyofbouillon at February 22, 2007 2:08 AM

A Khokar says "How come; nuclear enrichment is only safe with a country who made atomic bombs out of it and dropped it at Hiroshima and Nagasaki; destroying every thing standing above the ground and killing Millions of innocent people; where as it is said that it may not be safe with….Iran?

Why our conscious, doesn’t prick us?"

which shows an absence of intelligence as total as it gets. Does this wingnut realise that far from the "millions" killed by the atom bombs, it turned out to be less than 150,000 killed. For starters, these "innocent people" produced the means by which Pearl Harbor and the overruning of half of Asia was made possible. Who do you think manufactured the guns, planes, tanks, ships, bullets, bombs and shells used to kill our troops, civilians, and the troops and civilians of the countries they conquered? These same "innocent people", of course. The same could be said for Nazi Germany and its "innocent people" as well. And the alternative to the atom bomb was an invasion of Japan which would kill at least 1.5 million US troops, and at least five million Japanese troops and civilians. And that isn't even taking into account of how many others would have been killed elsewhere by a prolongation of the war into 1947. And don't talk about conscience when Islamists have carried out well over 7,500 terror atrocities since 911 alone, and commit acts of genocide to this day, in Sudan and elsewhere. Over 14 centuries, Islamic Jihad has been responsible for an absolute minimum of 300 million Infidel deaths, and probably twice or three times as many - all brutally slaughtered in the name of Allah and the vile prophet Mohammed. Only Islam and Muslims think office workers in New York, tourists in Bali and Luxor, schoolchildren and teachers in Beslan, and commuters in London, Madrid and Mumbai and the like are rightful targets for slaughter in the name of the devil god, and thinks Western civilization should be swept away, and that we should return to a Dark Ages existence. And you, an ungrateful semi-literate nothing who owes his existence to the West, think we should go down that barbaric path. I beg to disagree, and rightly so. And, lastly, our grandfathers and great-grandfathers didn't win two World Wars, plus the Cold War against the Soviet Union, only to have another one against a bunch of mad Islamic despots in Iran and elsewhere in the tyrannical Muslim world - a war which will probably result in Iran using nukes to slaughter millions more - if they're given the chance by our inaction.

Posted by: Spirit Of 1683 at February 22, 2007 6:37 AM

"Iran will eventually budge and surrender to the will of Neocons. "

....No they will not....They will continue to act foolishly and violently....forcing a violent confrontation....the handwriting is already on the wall and the forces to be are already moving into position....

...big things happening soon....

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 22, 2007 9:53 AM

A Khokar posted:

"In order to escape a catastrophe waiting to happen and avert an annihilation of its country and loss of lives of millions of people; Iran to stop check the US onslaught and create lasting deterrence; is left with no option but to declare it self nuclear power and test (prove) its effective long range delivery system.

It will save lives of millions and make the peace a lasting possibility in the Middle East"

I have difficulty believing Iran is overly concerned with the lives of its own people when they deliberately sent thousands of children into minefields during the Iran-Iraq War.

From:

http://www.crimesofwar.org/thebook/iran-iraq-war.html

"Countless waves of untrained Iranian boy-soldiers armed only with plastic keys purportedly guaranteeing entry to heaven blew themselves up by the tens of thousands clearing mine fields or died charging into artillery barrages worthy of Verdun or Stalingrad."

Posted by: freedomschool at February 22, 2007 10:17 AM

big things happening soon....

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 22, 2007 09:53 AM

It didn't get much play in the media, but Iran has sent some forces out to greet our naval forces in the Gulf. Look for a big oops, or accidental confrontation.
I had a nephew who was on a Carrier off Iraq working sonar in Saddam days, early 80's. Some pilots were fired upon by Iraqi jets and they radioed the ship about what to do. He was at his screen when the Admiral stood behind him and told them to shoot the F'ers down.
We got away with that one.
Of course, since Clinton's Pres. excutive orders they still have to get permission from the White House to defend our ships.

Posted by: auntbea at February 22, 2007 10:32 AM

From United Press International
Outside View: Rising U.S.-Iran standoff
By PYOTR GONCHAROV
UPI Outside View Commentator
MOSCOW, Feb. 22 (UPI)
[...]
Meanwhile, the stand-off with Iran is developing beyond its nuclear program. The United States is forcing events. According to The New Statesman, the forces deployed in the northwest part of the Indian Ocean and in the Persian Gulf would allow the U.S. president to destroy Iran's political, economic and military infrastructure within a few hours.

Now it is become obvious that Iran's nuclear program is not the main problem in its relations with the U.S. Washington has made it clear that Tehran will not dominate the Middle East, will not control the Persian Gulf and that the U.S. will protect its interests in the region and will not abandon it under any circumstances. Washington has also made it clear that it is not going to tolerate Tehran's policies toward Iraq. All this has been announced as George W. Bush's new strategy.

[...]
Iran is showing that it is ready for war.

--

Pyotr Goncharov is a political commentator with RIA Novosti. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not necessarily represent the opinions of the editorial board.

Of course in Washington everyone in the two houses of the Congress are in complete denial.

Posted by: auntbea at February 22, 2007 10:58 AM

"Of course in Washington everyone in the two houses of the Congress are in complete denial."

.....Some countries are doing a better job at rooting out the terrorrist cells and regaining their senses....Our politicians agenda is mired in indecision and narcissistic pleasures....wouldn't know a terrorist from a senile elderly person in a nursing home....you don't have to believe...just listen to their speeches and/or rants about other politicians or rants about current anti terror activities....what a bunch of potential Islamic slaves...

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 22, 2007 12:06 PM

Superb post, Spirit Of 1683. Thank you for restoring a semblance of reality to such absurd blather.

Posted by: Zenster at February 22, 2007 12:57 PM