Hmmm. Where have we heard this before ... ?
"For more than a decade, the United States and other nations have pursued patient and honorable efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime without war. That regime pledged to reveal and destroy all its weapons of mass destruction as a condition for ending the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
Since then, the world has engaged in 12 years of diplomacy. We have passed more than a dozen resolutions in the United Nations Security Council. We have sent hundreds of weapons inspectors to oversee the disarmament of Iraq. Our good faith has not been returned."
Bush's Address, March 2003
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-7.html
War in the Ruins of Diplomacy
Published: March 18, 2003
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01EFDA1431F93BA25750C0A9659C8B63
"For more than a decade, the United States and other nations have pursued patient and honorable efforts to disarm the Iraqi regime without war. That regime pledged to reveal and destroy all its weapons of mass destruction as a condition for ending the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
Since then, the world has engaged in 12 years of diplomacy. We have passed more than a dozen resolutions in the United Nations Security Council. We have sent hundreds of weapons inspectors to oversee the disarmament of Iraq. Our good faith has not been returned."
Bush's Address, March 2003
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-7.html War in the Ruins of Diplomacy
Published: March 18, 2003
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01EFDA1431F93BA25750C0A9659C8B63
Bush says diplomacy is 1st choice in nuclear standoff with Iran
Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 | 5:34 PM ET
Canadian Press: Deb Riechmann, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MESEBERG, Germany - U.S. President George W. Bush, in a fresh warning to Tehran, said Wednesday he favours a peaceful resolution to the nuclear standoff with Iran but has not ruled out the possible use of military force.
(This is exactly what he said up until he attacked Iraq. This statement is absurd, of course, because the 'nuclear standoff' is only Israel and America's way of attempting to feign a justification for a war that is about Regime Change, oil, regional power, and occupation.)
Bush spoke at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but his words were aimed at Iran. Bush warned Iran against dragging out the dispute to run the clock out on his presidency.
Iran, which says it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, had a message for Bush on Wednesday too.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Bush's presidency was over and the president has failed in his goals to attack Iran and stop its nuclear program. Addressing thousands of people in central Iran, Ahmadinejad described Bush as "wicked," and said that Bush was targeting Iran after dispatching the U.S. military into Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I tell him (Bush) ... your era has come to an end," Ahmadinejad said. "With the grace of God, you won't be able to harm even one centimetre of the sacred land of Iran."
Merkel, who appeared with Bush at the German government's main guesthouse called Schloss Meseberg, said if Iran does not agree to suspend its enrichment program, additional sanctions would be needed.
But she did not say why, since Iran is well within its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in pursuing nuclear power. The IAEA and international intelligence community has stated in no uncertain terms that Iran's program is peaceful.)
"If Iran does not meet its commitments, then further sanctions will simply have to follow," she said.
The U.S. and its European allies are waiting to decide if stiffer sanctions should be levied against Iran until after the European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, visits Tehran to present a package of incentives in exchange for stopping its enrichment program.
The offer, an updated version of one that Iran ignored a few years ago, was developed by the United States, along with Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China.
Ahmadinejad said pressures and sanctions won't succeed in forcing Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program. "If the enemy thinks they can break the Iranian nation with pressure, they are wrong," he said.
The United Nations Security Council has imposed three sets of limited sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment, a technology that can be used to produce nuclear fuel or materials for bomb. Iran continues to defy them.
(In order to fuel a weapon, Iran would need to massively expand its small enrichment capability, and this would be immediately apparent to the many eyes intently watching the country's every move. Investigations are currently underway into allegations that the US coerced countries like India into voting for these sanctions, which violate Iran's NNPT rights. It should also be noted that several of the Governments who voted for sanctions are comprised of similar Neo-Conservatives, and are co-conspirators with both Israel and the US in their programs of aggressive warfare.)
Merkel said she favours having sanctions decided through the Security Council, but that doesn't preclude any discussion within the European Union about whether there are other punitive measures, perhaps in the banking sector.
At Bush's final US-EU summit Tuesday in Kranj, Slovenia, the leaders issued a joint declaration that said the United States and Europe "are ready to supplement those (previous) sanctions with additional measures" if Iran does not halt enrichment. It also said they would "work together ... to take steps to ensure Iranian banks cannot abuse the international banking system to support proliferation and terrorism."
When a reporter asked Bush about the war in Iraq, the president defended the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and said it was the right decision.
"I don't regret it at all," Bush said, although he said he wished he hadn't used some of the tough language he used at the time. He has expressed regrets about using terms like "dead or alive" when talking about Osama bin Laden or "bring them on" when talking about insurgents in Iraq.
(But on committing 'the Supreme International Crime, the Crime Against Peace', he is unrepentant. This is why War Criminals MUST be held accountable for their actions.)
Bush predicted that his administration will be able to finish an agreement with Baghdad that would provide for a normal, permanent U.S. military and diplomatic presence in Iraq. The word "permanent" has been a flashpoint for many who oppose the war, but Bush insisted the U.S. is not seeking permanent bases in Iraq.
(Except that he is, and this was always one of the real reasons for this illegal war ...)
On global warming, Merkel said she has not given up hopes of completing global trade negotiations being conducted under the auspices of the World Trade Organization. However, the so-called Doha Round of trade negotiations is at an impasse because of battles between wealthy countries and developing nations over such issues as farm subsidies.
Earlier, after a countryside bike ride that seemed to invigorate Bush, he and Merkel had breakfast and then took a choreographed walk for the cameras through the formal gardens next to the cream-coloured castle.
(Good to see they found some time to reflect on the young men and women they've sent to their deaths ...)
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/080611/w0611117A.html
Iran Will Cooperate with UN Probe into US/Israeli Allegations
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?13896S
Israel's Syrian Air Strike Was Aimed at Iran
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?8196S
The ME has had a Secretive Nuclear Power in its Midst for Years
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?8195S
Spooks Refuse to Toe Cheney's Line on Iran
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?8173S
IAEA Again Verifies Iranian Compliance
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?8130S
Israel Considering Strike on Iran Despite US Intelligence Report
http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2224052,00.html
US intelligence report heightens danger of Israeli strike on Iran
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/dec2007/isra-d06.shtml
'Laptop of Death': Revising the NIE on Iran
The entire claim that Iran was building nuclear weapons rests on a laptop provided by a single, dubious source.
http://www.antiwar.com/ips/akhavi.php?articleid=12028 www.antiwar.com/prather/?articleid=12025
Israeli Extremists Prep for Nuclear Strike on Iran http://www.israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/7903/index.php
Hersh: Israel Pressed me to Write Syrian Site was Nuclear http://www.rawstory.com/news/2008/Sy_Hersh_Israeli_raid_on_Syria_0208.html
Sy Hersh confirms: Syrian Facility Bombed by Israel Not Nuclear
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?10935S
A Strike in the Dark - What did Israel bomb in Syria?
by Seymour M. Hersh http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/02/11/080211fa_fact_hersh/?printable=tr
War Clouds Over Mideast
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=108719&d=8&m=4&y=2008
Israel & The 'Clash of Civilizations'
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?11022S
The largest threat to the region doesn't come from Iran: it comes from Israel's success in having had the US "neutralize" countries which it believes to be an existential threat to it's existence. However, there's just one little problem with this approach concerning Iran. Russia's diplomats have stated unequivocally that any attack against Iran will be perceived as an attack on Russia.
UN Nuclear Watchdog in Milestone Iran Deal
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?14262S
Iran Dumps US Dollar in Oil Trading, US Preps War
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?14276S
Israel's Extremists STILL Beating Iran War Drums
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?14360S
Iran Mosque Blast Plotters Admit Israeli, US Links
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?14997S
Israel, US Joint Plotting Against Iran, Attack ElBaredei http://www.israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/7888/index.php llll
ElBaradei: Iran Not After Bomb
www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399278.html
Israel Calls for US Blockade of Iran
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399342.html
US Report on 'Iranian Weapons' Postponed Due to Lack of Evidence
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?17560C
Pakistan May Turn Over U.S. Terrorists To Iran
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399471.html
Iranian Mosque Blast Plotters Admit Israeli, US Links
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399467.html
Bombing Iran: Extremists' Mad Clamor Persists
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399468.html
Carter: Israel Has At Least 150 Nukes
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399591.html
IAEA Again Confirms: No Weaponization in Iran
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399625.html
McLellan's Warning on Iran
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?15853S
'Hate Iran Week' at AIPAC
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?15852S
Israel Launches 'Iran Command' for War
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?16362S
Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 | 5:34 PM ET
Canadian Press: Deb Riechmann, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MESEBERG, Germany - U.S. President George W. Bush, in a fresh warning to Tehran, said Wednesday he favours a peaceful resolution to the nuclear standoff with Iran but has not ruled out the possible use of military force.
(This is exactly what he said up until he attacked Iraq. This statement is absurd, of course, because the 'nuclear standoff' is only Israel and America's way of attempting to feign a justification for a war that is about Regime Change, oil, regional power, and occupation.)
Bush spoke at a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but his words were aimed at Iran. Bush warned Iran against dragging out the dispute to run the clock out on his presidency.
Iran, which says it is enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, had a message for Bush on Wednesday too.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Bush's presidency was over and the president has failed in his goals to attack Iran and stop its nuclear program. Addressing thousands of people in central Iran, Ahmadinejad described Bush as "wicked," and said that Bush was targeting Iran after dispatching the U.S. military into Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I tell him (Bush) ... your era has come to an end," Ahmadinejad said. "With the grace of God, you won't be able to harm even one centimetre of the sacred land of Iran."
Merkel, who appeared with Bush at the German government's main guesthouse called Schloss Meseberg, said if Iran does not agree to suspend its enrichment program, additional sanctions would be needed.
But she did not say why, since Iran is well within its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, in pursuing nuclear power. The IAEA and international intelligence community has stated in no uncertain terms that Iran's program is peaceful.)
"If Iran does not meet its commitments, then further sanctions will simply have to follow," she said.
The U.S. and its European allies are waiting to decide if stiffer sanctions should be levied against Iran until after the European Union's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, visits Tehran to present a package of incentives in exchange for stopping its enrichment program.
The offer, an updated version of one that Iran ignored a few years ago, was developed by the United States, along with Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China.
Ahmadinejad said pressures and sanctions won't succeed in forcing Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program. "If the enemy thinks they can break the Iranian nation with pressure, they are wrong," he said.
The United Nations Security Council has imposed three sets of limited sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt uranium enrichment, a technology that can be used to produce nuclear fuel or materials for bomb. Iran continues to defy them.
(In order to fuel a weapon, Iran would need to massively expand its small enrichment capability, and this would be immediately apparent to the many eyes intently watching the country's every move. Investigations are currently underway into allegations that the US coerced countries like India into voting for these sanctions, which violate Iran's NNPT rights. It should also be noted that several of the Governments who voted for sanctions are comprised of similar Neo-Conservatives, and are co-conspirators with both Israel and the US in their programs of aggressive warfare.)
Merkel said she favours having sanctions decided through the Security Council, but that doesn't preclude any discussion within the European Union about whether there are other punitive measures, perhaps in the banking sector.
At Bush's final US-EU summit Tuesday in Kranj, Slovenia, the leaders issued a joint declaration that said the United States and Europe "are ready to supplement those (previous) sanctions with additional measures" if Iran does not halt enrichment. It also said they would "work together ... to take steps to ensure Iranian banks cannot abuse the international banking system to support proliferation and terrorism."
When a reporter asked Bush about the war in Iraq, the president defended the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 and said it was the right decision.
"I don't regret it at all," Bush said, although he said he wished he hadn't used some of the tough language he used at the time. He has expressed regrets about using terms like "dead or alive" when talking about Osama bin Laden or "bring them on" when talking about insurgents in Iraq.
(But on committing 'the Supreme International Crime, the Crime Against Peace', he is unrepentant. This is why War Criminals MUST be held accountable for their actions.)
Bush predicted that his administration will be able to finish an agreement with Baghdad that would provide for a normal, permanent U.S. military and diplomatic presence in Iraq. The word "permanent" has been a flashpoint for many who oppose the war, but Bush insisted the U.S. is not seeking permanent bases in Iraq.
(Except that he is, and this was always one of the real reasons for this illegal war ...)
On global warming, Merkel said she has not given up hopes of completing global trade negotiations being conducted under the auspices of the World Trade Organization. However, the so-called Doha Round of trade negotiations is at an impasse because of battles between wealthy countries and developing nations over such issues as farm subsidies.
Earlier, after a countryside bike ride that seemed to invigorate Bush, he and Merkel had breakfast and then took a choreographed walk for the cameras through the formal gardens next to the cream-coloured castle.
(Good to see they found some time to reflect on the young men and women they've sent to their deaths ...)
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/080611/w0611117A.html Iran Will Cooperate with UN Probe into US/Israeli Allegations
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?13896S Israel's Syrian Air Strike Was Aimed at Iran
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?8196S The ME has had a Secretive Nuclear Power in its Midst for Years
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?8195S Spooks Refuse to Toe Cheney's Line on Iran
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?8173S IAEA Again Verifies Iranian Compliance
http://www.winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?8130S Israel Considering Strike on Iran Despite US Intelligence Report
http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2224052,00.html US intelligence report heightens danger of Israeli strike on Iran
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2007/dec2007/isra-d06.shtml 'Laptop of Death': Revising the NIE on Iran
The entire claim that Iran was building nuclear weapons rests on a laptop provided by a single, dubious source.
http://www.antiwar.com/ips/akhavi.php?articleid=12028 www.antiwar.com/prather/?articleid=12025 Israeli Extremists Prep for Nuclear Strike on Iran
http://www.israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/7903/index.php Hersh: Israel Pressed me to Write Syrian Site was Nuclear
http://www.rawstory.com/news/2008/Sy_Hersh_Israeli_raid_on_Syria_0208.html Sy Hersh confirms: Syrian Facility Bombed by Israel Not Nuclear
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?10935S A Strike in the Dark - What did Israel bomb in Syria?
by Seymour M. Hersh
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/02/11/080211fa_fact_hersh/?printable=tr War Clouds Over Mideast
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=108719&d=8&m=4&y=2008 Israel & The 'Clash of Civilizations'
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?11022S The largest threat to the region doesn't come from Iran: it comes from Israel's success in having had the US "neutralize" countries which it believes to be an existential threat to it's existence. However, there's just one little problem with this approach concerning Iran. Russia's diplomats have stated unequivocally that any attack against Iran will be perceived as an attack on Russia.
UN Nuclear Watchdog in Milestone Iran Deal
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?14262S Iran Dumps US Dollar in Oil Trading, US Preps War
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?14276S Israel's Extremists STILL Beating Iran War Drums
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?14360S Iran Mosque Blast Plotters Admit Israeli, US Links
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?14997S Israel, US Joint Plotting Against Iran, Attack ElBaredei
http://www.israel.indymedia.org/newswire/display/7888/index.php llll ElBaradei: Iran Not After Bomb
www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399278.html
Israel Calls for US Blockade of Iran
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399342.html US Report on 'Iranian Weapons' Postponed Due to Lack of Evidence
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?17560C Pakistan May Turn Over U.S. Terrorists To Iran
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399471.html Iranian Mosque Blast Plotters Admit Israeli, US Links
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399467.html Bombing Iran: Extremists' Mad Clamor Persists
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399468.html Carter: Israel Has At Least 150 Nukes
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399591.html IAEA Again Confirms: No Weaponization in Iran
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/05/399625.html McLellan's Warning on Iran
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?15853S 'Hate Iran Week' at AIPAC
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?15852S Israel Launches 'Iran Command' for War
http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?16362S 
