US ex-generals reject Iran strike

February 4, 2007

Saturday, 3 February 2007, 23:17 GMT

Bush calls for US debate on Iraq

Mr Bush says he wants to reach out to DemocratsUS President George W Bush had told his Democratic opponents that he welcomes debate on the Iraq war. " We share a common goal and it is to keep America safe, " he said in a conciliatory speech to Democrats from the House of Representatives. The Democrats, who hold both houses of Congress following November's mid-term elections, oppose President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq. Mr Bush said the disagreements did not mean he questioned their patriotism. " There's no doubt in my mind that you want to secure this homeland as much as I do, " he told a gathering of House Democrats in Williamsburg, Virginia.

We do agree about our country - we do agree to work together

George W Bush

President Bush said: " I welcome debate in a time of war and I hope you know that. " He added: " We don't always agree. That's why we're in different parties. " But we do agree about our country. We do agree to work together. " He said the White House and the Democrats agreed on a number of issues, including the need for the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to " show strong leadership " . The Democrats are considering their response to Mr Bush's plan to add 21,500 troops to the 132,000 who are already in Iraq. A non-binding resolution against the move is being considered by Congress. Some opponents of the war have called for legislation blocking funds for the new deployments, or the whole war effort.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6328717.stm

Dear List Members,

Transit Mars in H2 (speaking about war) is closly afflicted by transit Ketu, and exactly afflicting natal Sun (pressure over the President)

Dasha: VE/SA/RA/VE/VE,

and Venus conjunction to MEP4 became exact, afflicting MEP10 exactly also.

Best wishes,

Jorge

On 2/4/07, Jorge Angelino <jorge.angelino wrote:

Sunday, 4 February 2007, 02:20 GMT

US ex-generals reject Iran strike

Gen Hoar was one of the signatories of the letterThree 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.

Iran's account of its nuclear programme has not satisfied the US

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.