We note that, even though he is leaving the U.S. Congress in just a few months, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) continues to fight the good fight on Iran-related issues. Last week, Paul was one of the few to speak out, clearly and forthrightly, against the latest congressional resolution “expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of preventing the Government of Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.” Dr. Paul’s statement bears reading, see here. We want to highlight some of its passages:
“Once again we see on the “suspension” calendar, which is customarily reserved for non-controversial legislation, a resolution designed to move the US toward a military conflict with Iran. Sadly, it has become non-controversial for Congress to call for US attacks on foreign countries that have neither attacked nor threatened the United States.
We should not fool ourselves about the timing of this legislation. Next week, high-level talks between Iran and the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany (P5+1) will resume. Those who seek US military action against Iran must fear that successful diplomacy will undermine their calls for war.”
Dr. Paul then turns to the heart of the matter, which is an ongoing effort, in effect, to criminalize—or at least make militarily actionable—the pursuit of nuclear fuel cycle capabilities by calling it the pursuit of a “a ‘capability’ to develop nuclear weapons.” On this point, we were gratified that he cited Flynt:
“Iranian efforts to develop a ‘nuclear weapons capability’…may make American and Israeli elites uncomfortable. But it is not a violation of the NPT…While the NPT prohibits non-nuclear-weapon states from building atomic bombs, developing a nuclear weapons capability is [allowed] under the NPT…It is certainly not a justification—strategically, legally, or morally—for armed aggression against Iran.”
Noting that the resolution leaves the concept of “nuclear weapons capability” undefined—thus “leaving it open to very broad interpretations by this and future administrations”—he concludes: “Mr. Speaker, this is incredibly dangerous legislation. I urge my colleagues in the strongest manner to reject this stealth authorization for war on Iran.”
–Flynt Leverett and Hillary Mann Leverett
“Israeli foreign minister unbearable: Austrian defense minister”
http://www.presstv.com/detail/2012/05/21/242387/israeli-fm-unbearable-austrian-minister/
Do we have another overly-long post on the newist link, from our old friend?
Bob Marshall,
You are dead wrong. Iran’s blunder in first announcing an intention to treble production of 20 percent uranium, and then proceeding to treble such production, brought on the latest round of sanctions.
That said, obviously it helps Russia to sell more natural gas to the EU, imf there is no competition from Iranian gas.
ISRAEL LOBBY is doing its best to prevent the extension of the Iranian gas line into Pakistan.
fyi,
The Obama administration has been rather stupid about how to deal with Afghanistan, in no small part due to pernicious influence of the ISRAEL LOBBY. No stability in Afghanistan is possible without considerable help from Iran. But ISRAEL LOBBY will not tolerate a sensible American policy toward Iran.
Rehmat,
All Arab countries agree it is not possible to force Jews in Israel to leave their country. Even if the Jews in a sense “stole” 78 percent of Palestine. What is important is to keep the remaining 22 percent of Palestine, for the Palestinians.
Bob Marshall says: May 19, 2012 at 9:03 pm
US has lost the game in Central Asia to the Russians and the Chinese.
TAPI will not be built in the absence of a viable state in Afghanistan.
This is a US and possibly India fantasy.
IPI also will not be built even to Pakistan; the elite in Pakistan have decided to kow-tow the US line while their country suffers from massive power shortages.
Your view regarding the gas fields is accurate; that is certainly how Iranian leaders are viewing their confrontation with US and EU.
Every one of the 187 countries under the IMF have a central bank.Does Iran,Syria or Libya? it is not about Iran and nuclear weapons, it is more about the South Pars North Dome natural gas field and the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline.Russia, Iran and Qatar control 60% of the natural gas if the world. http://www.LandDestoryer/Which Path To Persia Then U>S. has sought the Turkmenistan-Aghan-Pakistan or TAPI gas pipeline since 1998.The Caspian Sea area is vital to Americas interest. The U.S. is trying to remove any Chinese influence in the area.
James Canning – When you say: ISRAEL NEEDS TO GET OUT OF THE WEST BANK – you speak only 10% of the truth. My two Jewish buddy bloggers, Gilad Atzmon and Roger Tucker agree with Helen Thomas: GET THE HELL OUT OF ENTIRE HISTORICAL PALESTINE.
http://rehmat1.com/2010/06/18/palestine-the-third-option/
James Canning – Mofaz being an Iranian Jew – knows the fanatic European Jews are no friends non-European Jews.
Rehmat,
Netanyahu’s new coalition partner, Mofaz, sees Israel’s failure to get out of the West Bank as posing more of a security threat to Israel than that posed by Iran.
Neo,
The concern is that Iran would have a shorter “break-out” time, if Iran stockpiles large amounts of 20 percent uranium. Since Iran does not want nukes, there is no need to stockpile 20 percent uranium.
Rehmat,
Where do you get the idea I support the insane notion of a Greater Israel? How many hundreds of times have I said that ISRAEL NEEDS TO GET OUT OF THE WEST BANK?
James,
But how can Iran gain the capability if it does not enrich at higher grades?
FYI… re your most recent comment (May 19, 2012 at 3:49 pm): I have my doubts that the knowledge of the lack of democracy in America, and the reasons for it, will ever reach a critical mass in the US. New generations are being brought up in the same ignorance as the previous generations.
http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2012/05/the-fbi-file-on-the-weizmann-institute.html
I’m trying to figure out the origins of the phrase “Pharisee Muslims”….
Castellio says: May 19, 2012 at 1:29 pm
The awareness of the malignant influence of Israel lobby on US body politic is gradually sinking in.
It will, however, take many years more to truly penetrate the entire polity.
It will be ugly.
All:
Harassment of young women in Tehran a few days ago:
http://www.fardanews.com/fa/news/202163/%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D9%BE%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B3%E2%80%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%86%E2%80%8C%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%AE%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C
In the middle of a siege war, pharisee Muslims are out in full force.
Contemptible.
James Canning – The Zionists and their immoral poodles will never stop hating the Islamic Republic as long as it stop supporting Islamic Resistance groups in occupied Palestine, Lebanon and other places. The westerners don’t hate Iran – they hate Islam. They were quite happy to sleep with Reza Shah’s regime and even convinced to go nuclear in the first place.
The problem people like you have with Iran’s nuclear program – is that Iran’s ‘nuclear capability’ will contain your dream of ‘Greater Israel’. Pity, it’s not going to happen as your darlig is Israel is being isolated from the rest of the world every day.
http://rehmat1.com/2010/09/03/thou-shalt-not-delegitimize-israel/
James,
That isnt of course Irans fault that some people or states find it offensive that Iran carry out its legal right, not only under the NPT, but as a sovereign state.
One of the comments on the article I posted below is worth copying. Just a reminder that positions for the Supreme Court and the Secretary of Department level in the US are negotiated with AIPAC.
“(excerpt)…HAIM KATZ: “If Clinton is elected, has he told you who he’s going to put on the Supreme Court?”
DAVID STEINER AIPAC: “We’re talking now. We don’t have no commitments yet. We’re just negotiating. We’re more interested right now, in the secretary of state and the secretary of National Security Agency. That’s more important to us.”
HAIM KATZ: “If Clinton is elected, who do you think will be secretary of state?”
DAVID STEINER AIPAC: “We don’t know yet, we’re negotiating.”
HAIM KATZ: “Who are you hoping for?”
DAVID STEINER AIPAC: “I’ve got a list. But I really can’t go through it. I’m not allowed to talk about it.”
HAIM KATZ: “But you figure, God willing, if Clinton’s elected . . .”
DAVID STEINER AIPAC: “We’ll have access.”
HAIM KATZ: “You’ll have access and you’ll have a good input into who’s secretary of state.”
DAVID STEINER AIPAC: “I do believe so.”
HAIM KATZ: “And the other position is. . .”
DAVID STEINER AIPAC: “National security adviser.”
HAIM KATZ: “Those are the two critical positions.”
DAVID STEINER AIPAC: “Right.”
SOURCE – http://mjayrosenberg.com/2012/05/16/aipacs-congress/
Castellio,
The RAND report you refer to (via Richard Siverstein) claims that Iran is building nukes or getting ready to build them quickly. US NIE on Iran says Iran has not decided to build nukes.
“Iran sanctions damaging West financial recovery: Minister of economic affairs”:
http://www.presstv.com/detail/2012/05/19/242032/iran-sanctions-harm-west-recovery/
Richard Silversteing gets directly into the issues of this blog (not of this posting) with:
http://www.richardsilverstein.com/tikun_olam/2012/05/17/rand-calls-for-u-s-israel-to-prepare-for-iran-having-nukes/
Karl,
Perhaps you are finally coming to see Iran’s blunder in first announcing an intent to treble production of 20 percent uranium, and then proceeding to treble production. Played right into the hands of Iran-haters in the US and other countries.
fyi,
Rich and powerful Jews in the US will not allow good relations between Iran and the US. Object must be to work around this problem, especially by courting European countries
Neo,
See my comment to Karl. 20 percent is very near weapons grade. And Iran has no need to enrich to 20 percent.
Karl,
The Financial Times reported yesterday that the P5+1 will insist Iran stop enriching to 20 percent because 20 percent is very near weapons grade.
James,
Am surprised that you do not see the irrelevance and logical inconsistency in your first comment on this page. You can’t applaud Ron Paul who is practically supporting nuclear weapons capability and object to 20% enrichment by Iran at the same time. Nuclear weapons capability exceeds 20% capability by far.
M. Ali says: May 19, 2012 at 6:13 am
“I’m surprised Republicans (democrats too…) don’t vote for Paul more. What is it that actually prevents people from voting for him?”
Good question. He is a bit of an extreme free market nut, but why would that stop the Republicans from voting for him? I’d guess that they see his isolationism as ‘passé’. It doesn’t sit well with the imperialist mindset.
Cyrus_2,
Yes, an “empty box of chocolate” or what was the quote back then?
Seriously, after all these years, the only thing US could give Iran is…nothing?
Karl says: May 19, 2012 at 9:38 am
This is just cease-fire not peace.
Let us wait and see what happens; chances are that Iranians are just going to walk away.
The president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), Ronald S. Lauder, was in Canada last week. During his visit, he held private talks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Minister John Baird in Ottawa on Wednesday to discuss the situation in the Middle East, as well as rise in hate towards Jews in North America and Europe.
The meeting between the three Israel-Firsters was not a significant event for the Canadians who don’t believe in Israeli propaganda lies about the Middle East and Muslim communities in North America and Europe, who are blamed for the rise of the so-called “anti-Semitism” in the West.
However, what surprises me – was Lauder’s ignorance of Canada’s image in the Middle East. Lauder said in an interview with the news agency ‘Canadian Press’. “I believe that in the coming months, Canada can play a role and I think will be invited to play a role.”
A great majority of Canadian Arabs and Muslims know that Canada under prime minister Stephen Harper has become an Israeli colony. Harper government hates Hamas, Hizbullah, Muslim Brotherhood, Iran, Syria, Sudan and everything which snear at the Zionist regime.
Canada’s political landscape is totally Isrealized. Country’s ruling Conservatives along with two major opposition parties, Liberal and New Democratic, are controlled by Zionists.
As far as Canada’s creditablity in the world eyes is concerned – in 2010, Stephen Harper government’s blind support for the Zionist entity and its participation in America’s wars have cost Canada its bid to secure a seat at the UN Security Council for the first time in the last six decades.
Recently, both Netanyahu and Peres visited Canada to express their appreciation of Harper government’s support for the Zionist regime against its perceived enemies.
Lauder, also a former US ambassador, said that as he travels the world, he hears only good things about Canadian foreign policy. “Today it is a very dangerous world out there, there are very few true leaders out there,” Lauder told the ‘Canadian Press’, adding that PM Harper had been “a true leader. He spoke his mind.”
The notorious Geneva-based UN Watch, which claims to monitor United Nations on human rights violations – is one of many propaganda arms for American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Israeli Likud Party.
“Canada is not going to be an honest broker between an international terrorist organization (Hamas) and a liberal democracy, when the great struggle of our generation is the struggle between liberal democracies and international terrorist organizations,” said Baird in a recent interview.
Canada along with the US and Israel, have classified Lebanese Islamic Resistance group Hizbullah as a ‘terrorist organization’.
http://rehmat2.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/lobby-canada-an-influential-player-in-me-peace-talks/
@ Karl
Indeed.
It reminds me of the “incentive package” the EU3 offered Iran in 2003-2005 in exchange for Iran giving up its domestic nuclear program.
Apparently, US/EU negotiators haven’t learnt anything.
Karl – you’re making fun of yourself by qouting Israeli media, Jewish leaders and Zionist occupied US mainstream media on the Islamic Republic.
Try some objective source next time, please!
U.S., Iran seek closer ties alongside nuclear program
As always Shapiro seems to think he is a spokesmen for United states. Some days ago he said that a US military plan is available on Iran, a statement supposed to warn Iran that military action may be near. His statement was indirectly refuted by Panetta.
”
- In response to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro’s statement that “a U.S. military option is ready,” the spokesperson of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated that “a military option is not being weighed at this point,” and that “American and international focus” is on diplomatic and economic measures on Iran “so that it does the right thing.”
”
Although while Panetta refuse threatening Iran with military force at this time, a glimpse of the offer that US allegedly have offered Iran.
-
“In addition, American officials said over the weekend were reported by the New York Times as saying that the six world powers are willing to offer Iran an incentive package in return for a freeze in enrichment. Among the incentives is an offer to relieve the limits set on Iran’s aviation and energy sectors, but without canceling the heavy sanctions on its oil industry, which are set to be implemented in July. ”
-
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-iran-seek-closer-ties-alongside-nuclear-program-1.431340
So Iran is supposed to freeze its programme while getting nothing back. Note “relieve”, supposedly not even removed alltogether!
M. Ali – The powerful Zionist Lobby controls both Republicans and Democrats through elecetion donations and mass media. The Zionist Lobby and its prophets in Israel and Jewish billionaires in the US don’t like Rep. Ron Paul for various reasons.
1. Ron is against military aid to the Zionist entity.
2. Ron is against US going for wars with foreign countries unless attacked.
3. Ron wants Obama administration to understand Iran’s defense situation and try to live with a ‘possible’ nuclear Iran.
4. Ron wants the Reserve Bank to be brought under US elected government’s control.
5. Ron wants all US occupation forces to be pulled out of Iraq and Afghanistan.
6. Ron wants Washington to twist the Zionist regime’s neck to get an independent Palestinian state established.
7. Ron supports Occupy Wall Street movement.
8. Ron opposes HR 4133, which supports Israeli right to attack its neighboring countries and occupy them.
Doesn’t that make Ron Paul a ‘Jew Hater’?
http://rehmat1.com/2012/05/11/rep-ron-paul-angers-israel-lobby/
I’m surprised Republicans (democrats too…) don’t vote for Paul more. What is it that actually prevents people from voting for him?
Rehmat, I wouldn’t worry about Turkey too much..They’re on a fool’s errand and it’s only a matter of time before their stupidity catches up with them.
Just look at the impressive “successes” they’ve managed to achieve in such a short time with their “zero problem foreign policy”. Tensions with Iran, Iraq, Syria, Armenia, Israel etc. You gotta hand it to them.In one stroke of diplomatic genius, they’ve achieve all that.
You have to understand that Turkey is still struggling to find its soul and identity in the region. Atta Turk really messed them up for good. They’re rejected in the EU, however much they try and in the Middle East, they’ve found it convenient to align themselves with the most reactionary and undemocratic forces in the Persian gulf region whose very throne are shaky as we speak. They’ve even opened their borders to the likes of Al Qaeda and use their territory to train jihadis for missions inside Syria.
Iran’s only weapons against Turkey is patience. Like a teenage child that has become hot-headed and thinks of himself as invisible, a little life experience knocks some reality into em. When the dust settles, Turkey will have to learn that cooperation is the only way to go in the new Middle East.
Turkey’s sudden but not surprising policies in the region was bound to happen sooner or later. They say follow the money…With the US out of Iraq and Iran, Iraq and Syria signing a massive deal to build a pipeline from Iran through Iraq and then onto Syria, everything change. Turkey felt cut out of the picture so they had to destroy the plan by destabilizing Syria.
The problem with this formula, though, was that it was full of holes as Swiss cheese as all the elements involved where highly volatile and unpredictable. Assad doesn’t look like he’s going to fall anytime soon and in fact, he might still be there after the AKP is out of power in the next elections. And since NATO isn’t willing to attack Syria openly, Turkey won;t commit suicide..How often have we heard Erdogan warning about a military attack on Syria only to be rejected by some NATO chief in Washington of Europe?
Sometimes carrying water for empire comes at heavy cost. ;)
We have an upcoming primary election here in California. On the way into town, at the T at the end of a freeway off-ramp, there is a banner urging citizens to register Republican in order to vote for Ron Paul.
I’m now leanin’ towards doin’ it.
Iran enriches to 19.75%, which is LEU.
For the straight dope on Iran see:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/01/19/stop_the_madness
No one could judge Rep. Ron Paul’s patriotism than Abraham Foxman, head of powerful Israel lobby group ADL. Foxman said that Ron Paul is the only presidential hopeful who doesn’t take dictation from lobby groups.
Last year, Israel-Firster David Horowitz, had accused Rep. Ron Paul of being “a crackpot” and “vicious anti-Semite“. Horowitz also claimed that Ron Paul is an ‘anti-Semite’ because of Paul’s proposal to end USAID to the Zionist entity. Ron Paul had said that the US is under huge debt and cannot afford to send money to other countries.
http://rehmat1.com/2011/11/25/rep-ron-paul-is-a-vicious-anti-semite/
Last August I posted how Turkish prime minister Erdogan is fighting US-Israel proxy war against Islamic and democratic revival in the Muslim world. My views have been confirmed by a new Task Force Report issued by the powerful Israel lobby group, the Council on Foreign Relations, which has concluded that even though AKP government in Ankara has angered Israel and its supporters in the United States – it’s still the best card in Washington’s hand to stop anti-USrael Islamists coming into power in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Yemen, Lebanon and other parts of the Muslim East engulfed by the ‘Arab Spring’ and supported by Iran and Syria.
http://rehmat1.com/2012/05/19/israel-lobby-turkey-is-an-ally-against-islamists/
Meanwhile, in a truly appalling article from Reuter’s which beats the drums of war:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/17/us-israel-iran-idUSBRE84G0UC20120517
James,
Iran have already proven to be able to enrich at 20%, which are also according to the NPT. Its not Iran’s fault that warmongers cant accept that Iran is a soverign nation with rights like any other state and could thus enrich at any percentage for peaceful uses. 20% is not weapongrade neither.
Bravo, Ron Paul. But I think he should distinguish between Iranian enrichment to 20 percent, and Iranian enrichment to 5% or lower. Enriching to 20 percent helps make the case for the haters of Iran, that Iran wants to be able to build nukes quickly.