Iran launches satellite; U.S. expresses concern

[amicus]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090203/ts_nm/us_iran_satellite_12

Iran launches satellite; U.S. expresses concern

"...TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran said it had launched a domestically made satellite into orbit for the first time on Tuesday, prompting further concern among Western powers and in Israel over Tehran's nuclear ambitions...."

"...Gibbs repeated the words President Barack Obama has used since taking over last month that Washington will "use all elements of our national power to deal with Iran and to help it be a responsible member of the international community."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States would show openness to Iran -- a change from a hard-line isolation policy under former President George W. Bush -- but urged it to respond in kind. "We are reaching out a hand, but the fist has to unclench," Clinton told reporters.


Iran has long said its nuclear program is purely for civilian energy purposes...."

"...Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters during a visit to Ethiopia the satellite had peaceful aims.


But Andrew Brookes of the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank in London said the news would prompt concern in Israel and elsewhere in the region.


"They will think that this civilian capability will soon be transformed to a military reconnaissance and intelligence gathering capability," he said.


Isaac Ben-Israel, a former head of The Israel Space Agency, told Reuters in Jerusalem: "If they managed to fire a satellite into space it means they can also reach Western Europe." ..."

~~~

It will be interesting to see what the new administration does if Iran makes an aggressive move in the Middle East....I ain't holdin my breath...

Amicus...

 

[Boxlicker101]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090203/ts_nm/us_iran_satellite_12

Iran launches satellite; U.S. expresses concern

(snip)



"...Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters during a visit to Ethiopia the satellite had peaceful aims.


But Andrew Brookes of the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank in London said the news would prompt concern in Israel and elsewhere in the region.


"They will think that this civilian capability will soon be transformed to a military reconnaissance and intelligence gathering capability," he said.


Isaac Ben-Israel, a former head of The Israel Space Agency, told Reuters in Jerusalem: "If they managed to fire a satellite into space it means they can also reach Western Europe." ..."

~~~

It will be interesting to see what the new administration does if Iran makes an aggressive move in the Middle East....I ain't holdin my breath...

Amicus...

Iran isn't ready to do that yet. Once they get nuclear warheads, then they will make some kind of move, but nobody knows just what. They might try to obliterate Israel, but that would invite massive retaliation.

So far, nuclear weapons have been held by governments headed by rational people. Iran would be an exception.

 

[amicus]

Campaign rhetoric and the realty of actually being CIC, seems to be two different ball games.

The left rhetoric was to withdraw, isolate and negotiate, but then, we won't know about most of it for decades anyway.

Amicus...

 

[ishtat]

So far, nuclear weapons have been held by governments headed by rational people. Iran would be an exception.

United States, USSR(Russia), France, UK, China, India, Pakistan and Israel are rational by your definition yet 7 of the 8 have taken part in invasions of other countries in the past two years. Iran has not.

I am not suggesting that the rhetoric from Iran is not disturbing but ultimately it is what countries are likely to do rather than what they say which should determine policy.

Saudi Arabia for example supplied 19 or 20 of the 9/11 terrorists and has released most of the former Gitmo detainees sent back to them. So which is the more dangerous Saudi Arabia or Iran? Iran has made no secret of the fact that any member of Al Quaida found in their country will be shot but that hasn't been much publicised. Al Quaida supporters are government ministers in Saudi Arabia.

The opinions expressed by the President of Iran are utterly obnoxious but are mainly aimed at obtaining support in the moslem world. Obnoxious yes but perfectly rational.