MESSAGE
| DATE | 2009-01-11 |
| FROM | From: "Michael L. Richardson"
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| SUBJECT | Re: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] Isreal and Gaza
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http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/20090111/D95KTSLO1.html
Jan 11, 6:51 AM (ET)
*Bush reportedly rejected Israeli plea to raid Iran*
WASHINGTON (AP) - President George W. Bush rejected a plea from Israel
last year to help it raid Iran's main nuclear complex, opting instead to
authorize a new U.S. covert action aimed at sabotaging Iran's suspected
nuclear weapons program, The New York Times reported.
Israel's request was for specialized bunker-busting bombs that it wanted
for an attack that tentatively involved flying over Iraq to reach Iran's
major nuclear complex at Natanz, where the country's only known uranium
enrichment plant is located, the Times reported Saturday in its online
edition. The White House deflected requests for the bombs and flyover
but said it would improve intelligence-sharing with Israel on covert
U.S. efforts to sabotage Iran's nuclear program.
The covert efforts, which began in early 2008, involved plans to
penetrate Iran's nuclear supply chain abroad and undermine electrical
systems and other networks on which Iran relies, the Times said, citing
interviews with current and former U.S. officials, outside experts and
international nuclear inspectors who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The covert program will be handed off to President-elect Barack Obama,
who will deciding whether to continue it.
According to the Times, Bush decided against an overt attack based on
input from top administration officials such as Defense Secretary Robert
Gates, who believed that doing so would likely prove ineffective and
could ignite a broader Middle East war.
Israel made the push for permission to fly over Iraq for an attack on
Iran following its anger over a U.S. intelligence assessment in late
2007 that concluded Iran had effectively suspended its development of
nuclear weapons four years earlier. Israel sought to rebut the report,
providing evidence to U.S. intelligence officials that they said
indicated the Iranians were still working on a weapon.
Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the National Security Council, declined
to comment Saturday.
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this week, Stephen
Hadley, Bush's national security adviser, said he believed that Iran is
the biggest challenge Obama will face in the Middle East and that more
sanctions will be needed to force Tehran to forgo its nuclear ambitions
and support for extremists. He said the Bush administration has been
trying to "shore up and store up leverage" to bequeath to the Obama
administration.
Last month, Obama suggested that a combination of economic incentives
and tighter sanctions might work. Tehran rejected the proposal. Obama
also has said he would pursue tough-minded diplomacy.
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