Bush says diplomacy is first choice in Iran standoff
Bush says all options on table with Iran but diplomacy is the first choice
DEB RIECHMANN
AP News
Jun 11, 2008 09:52 EST
http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Bush_says_diplomacy_is_first_choice_06112008.htmlPresident Bush, in a fresh warning to Tehran, said Wednesday he favors a peaceful resolution to the nuclear standoff with Iran but has not ruled out the possible use of military force. 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.
"My first choice is to solve this diplomatically," said Bush, who is rallying European allies to back tougher sanctions against Iran. But he also said: "All options are on the table," a phrase he has repeatedly used in reference to a possible military strike against Iran, even as a last resort.
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 centimeter of the sacred land of Iran."