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U.S. intel chief expects Israel to 'protect' against Iran threat

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, March 22, 2007

WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community projects Israel will take action to stop any Iranian missile attack.

National Intelligence Director John McConnell said Israel and the United States were taking the Iranian nuclear threat seriously. McConnell suggested he expected Israel to destroy Iran's nuclear installations even without U.S. support.

In an exchange at the Senate Armed Services Committee on Feb. 27, Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Democrat, asked McConnell what he would do if he was Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

"I would react [to Iran] in a way to protect my country," McConnell, a naval admiral, said.

During the exchange, McConnell said the U.S. intelligence community could not assess whether Iran would fulfill its threat to destroy Israel.

"If Iran developed a nuclear weapon, what's the likelihood they would use it against Israel?" Graham asked.

"They've stated that they would consider that Israel shouldn't exist, should be wiped off the map," McConnell said. "I don't know that I would conclude that they would use it in a prescribed period of time, but that risk would be there."

McConnell said Security Council sanctions would have a significant impact on Iran's economy.

The intelligence director said Iran's denial of the Nazi genocide of Jews during World War II was reason enough to prevent Iran's nuclear program.

"Should we allow a person who denies the Holocaust exists nuclear materials?" Graham asked "Is that the dilemma the world faces?"

"Indeed," McConnell said.

"So if someone came to the United Nations requesting a nuclear program, my statement is that anybody who wants a nuclear program for whatever purpose, if the leader of your nation denies the Holocaust exists, you don't get it," Graham said. "Is that an unreasonable request?"

"That sounds reasonable to me, senator," McConnell replied.

On March 20, former NATO commander and Democratic vice presidential nominee Wesley Clark said the United States could attack Iran unless it suspended plans for nuclear weapons. At a seminar in the Qatari capital of Doha, Clark, touted as a possible partner of Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, warned Iran not to underestimate U.S. military capabilities.

"If a military option is necessary, we could penetrate Iran's air space in no time," Clark said.


Copyright © 2007 East West Services, Inc.

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