Wednesday, May 21, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) — The top uniformed U.S. military officer told Congress on Tuesday that Iran is directly jeopardizing any potential for peace in Iraq, prompting fresh calls from senators that the U.S. pursue diplomatic talks with Tehran.
Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that “irresponsible actions” by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard “directly jeopardize” peace in Iraq.
“Restraint in our response does not signal lack of resolve or capability to defend ourselves against threats,” Mullen told the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.
Sen. Arlen Specter, a member of the panel, said he is most concerned about the Bush administration’s refusal to fully engage Iran in diplomatic discussions. U.S. diplomats have met with Iranian officials as part of a broader regional conference on Iraq, but insisted that discussions be limited to Iraq.
The U.S. accuses Iran of trying to develop a nuclear weapon, supporting terrorist groups and encouraging violence in Iraq by providing weapons and other material aid to Shiite militants there.
Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, said past talks with the Soviet Union, Libya and North Korea proved helpful and that similar progress could be made with Iran.
If the government refuses to engage Iran, “We’re missing a great opportunity to avoid a future conflict,” Specter said.
Democratic Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Dianne Feinstein of California agreed and urged Defense Secretary Robert Gates to challenge President Bush’s no-talk policy on Iran.
“I really think the fate of the area depends on it,” said Feinstein. “And I think saber-rattling and talking about exercises for military intrusions do nothing but escalate the situation.”
Gates said he supports sitting down with officials from Tehran, but only after the U.S. has developed significant leverage. In such cases as Libya and North Korea, these countries were seeking to relieve economic pressures imposed by sanctions, Gates said.