Former Military Chiefs Urge Talks With Iran

[cui bono]

Former military chiefs urge talks with Iran
POSTED: 7:19 p.m. EST, February 3, 2007

Story Highlights
• 2 retired generals, retired admiral say war with Iran would be "disastrous"
• They air opinions in a letter to London's Sunday Times newspaper
• U.S. defense secretary says Washington not planning for war with Iran

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Three former senior U.S. military officials warn that any military action against Iran would have "disastrous consequences" and urged Washington to hold immediate and unconditional talks with Tehran.

<snip>

In a letter to London's Sunday Times newspaper, the three former U.S. military leaders said attacking Iran "would have disastrous consequences for security in the region, coalition forces in Iraq and would further exacerbate regional and global tensions," they wrote.

"The current crisis must be resolved through diplomacy," they said.

The letter was signed by retired Army Lt. Gen. Robert Gard, a former military assistant to Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Hoar, a former commander in chief of U.S. Central Command; and retired Navy Vice Adm. Jack Shanahan, a former director of the Center for Defense Information.

They urged the U.S. government to "engage immediately in direct talks with the government of Iran without preconditions.

"There is time available to talk, we must ensure that we use it," they said.

The three men have joined previous petitions calling on the Bush administration to change course in its policy on Iran.

more...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/02/03/iran.warning.reut/index.html

[peacetalksforall]

1. This is key to everything -

"There is time available to talk, we must ensure that we use it," they said."

Summer 2005 - the NSC issues paper that Iran is 10 years away from bomb.
Later experts say time could be reduced slightly if they are lucky finding sellers of parts.

OUR PROBLEM - THE WORLD'S PROBLEM - is the PNAC doesn't have time.

They must must have their pipelines while they're still in power.
They must destroy Iran for Israel.
They must have their bases in the area without threat from Ira.
They only have two years left in power.
They only have two years left to make a killing for Halliburton et al.

But our leaders have no ability, desire, willingnses to NEGOTIATE.

They are ANTI-PEACE.

Lives mean nothing.
Cultural heritage means nothing.
Our kids mean nothing.
Mothers and children mean nothing.

[cui bono]

2. Yeah, too much is never enough.

Those greedy pigs. And who are they stealing all that money for? Their kids and grandkids? There won't be an inhabitable planet anymore by the time they're done ruining it. They're certainly not thinking even of their own families' futures. Despicable.

[dipsydoodle]

3. US ex-generals reject Iran strike

Three former high-ranking American military officers have warned against any military attack on Iran
>
They said such action would have "disastrous consequences" for security in the Middle East and also for coalition forces in Iraq
>
They said the crisis over Tehran's nuclear programme must be resolved through diplomacy, urging Washington to start direct talks with Iran.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6328801.stm

[wakeme2008]

4. I am sure Bush is going to attack Iran

But this time hopefully the World will know that it will be BAD if he does. No "Who could have Guess they would fight back"

[Eugene]

5. Letter to Sunday Times with link

The Sunday Times February 04, 2007

Diplomacy can still win Iran

AS FORMER US military leaders, we strongly caution against the use of military force
against Iran. An attack on Iran would have disastrous consequences for security in
the region, coalition forces in Iraq and would further exacerbate regional and global
tensions. The current crisis must be resolved through diplomacy.

A strategy of diplomatic engagement with Iran would serve the interests of the US and
the UK and potentially could enhance regional and international security. The British
government has a vital role to play in securing a renewed diplomatic push and making
it clear that it will oppose any recourse to military force. The Bush administration
should engage immediately in direct talks with the government of Iran without
preconditions. There is time available to talk, we must ensure that we use it.

Lieutenant General Robert G Gard Jr
US Army (Ret), Former assistant to the Secretary of Defense, president,
National Defense University
General Joseph P Hoar
US Marine Corps (Ret), Former Commander in Chief, US Central Command
Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan
US Navy (Ret), Former Director of the Center for Defense Information and currently
Chairman, Military Advisory Committee

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2582978,0...

[babylonsister]

6. Whaaa? Use diplomacy? Will dimson listen to the military now? nt