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US ex-generals reject Iran strike
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/ middle_east/6328801.stm
Published: 2007/02/04 02:20:36 GMT
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.
The letter was published in Britain's Sunday Times newspaper.
It was signed by:
Lt Gen Robert Gard, a former military assistant to the US defence
secretary
Gen Joseph Hoar, a former commander-in-chief, US Central Command
Vice Adm Jack Shanahan, a former director of the Center for Defense
Information
"As former US military leaders, we strongly caution against the use of
military force against Iran," the authors said.
They said such action would further exacerbate regional and global
tensions.
"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 letter said.
It also said that "the British government has a vital role play in
securing a renewed diplomatic push and making it clear that it will
oppose any recourse to military force".
The US and its Western allies suspect Iran of using its nuclear
programme as a cover to produce nuclear weapons, a claim denied by
Tehran.
Washington has so far refused to rule out military action if Iran does
not halt its nuclear activities.
The US has also recently beefed up its military presence in the Gulf.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/ middle_east/6328801.stm
Published: 2007/02/04 02:20:36 GMT
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.
The letter was published in Britain's Sunday Times newspaper.
It was signed by:
Lt Gen Robert Gard, a former military assistant to the US defence
secretary
Gen Joseph Hoar, a former commander-in-chief, US Central Command
Vice Adm Jack Shanahan, a former director of the Center for Defense
Information
"As former US military leaders, we strongly caution against the use of
military force against Iran," the authors said.
They said such action would further exacerbate regional and global
tensions.
"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 letter said.
It also said that "the British government has a vital role play in
securing a renewed diplomatic push and making it clear that it will
oppose any recourse to military force".
The US and its Western allies suspect Iran of using its nuclear
programme as a cover to produce nuclear weapons, a claim denied by
Tehran.
Washington has so far refused to rule out military action if Iran does
not halt its nuclear activities.
The US has also recently beefed up its military presence in the Gulf.