Iran jeopardizing peace in Iraq, Mullen says

Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael G. Mullen testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee May 20 on Capitol Hill in Washington.


Iran jeopardizing peace in Iraq, Mullen says
By Anne Flaherty - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday May 21, 2008 5:52:43 EDT

WASHINGTON — The top uniformed U.S. military officer told Congress 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.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/05/ap_mullen_052008/



uhc comment: If you think for one fucking moment that any of the current crop of military 'leaders' are not toeing the neo-con line, you must have some pretty good stash. Mullen, Gates, Wynne, Winter and Peake are a few names that pop into my head.