Netanyahu assails Iran deal, touts US-Israel ties

[webfact]

Netanyahu assails Iran deal, touts US-Israel ties
By JULIE PACE and ARON HELLER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Seeking to lower tensions, Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. officials cast their dispute over Iran as a family squabble on Monday, but the Israeli leader still claimed that President Barack Obama did not — and could not — understand his nation's vital security concerns.

"American leaders worry about the security of their country," Netanyahu said as he opened a controversial trip to Washington. "Israeli leaders worry about the survival of their country."

Netanyahu's remarks to a friendly crowd at a pro-Israel lobby's annual conference amounted to a warm-up act for his address to Congress Tuesday, an appearance orchestrated by Obama's political opponents and aimed squarely at undermining the White House's high-stakes bid for a nuclear deal with Iran.

Netanyahu tried to paper over his personal differences with Obama, insisting he was not in Washington to "disrespect" the president and saying that any reports of the demise of U.S.-Israel ties were "not only premature, they're just wrong."

Still, Netanyahu made clear that he would not hold back in criticizing the U.S.-led nuclear negotiations with Iran.

"I have a moral obligation to speak up in the face of these dangers while there is still time to avert them," he told the cheering crowd of 16,000 at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference. He said Israel had a unique understanding of the security concerns posed by any Iranian pursuit of a nuclear bomb because of its position in a "dangerous neighborhood."

Obama spoke dismissively of Netanyahu's warnings about the risks of an Iran deal, saying the prime minister had previously contended Iran would not abide by an interim agreement signed in 2013 and would get $50 billion in sanctions relief, a figure the U.S. says is far too high.

"None of that has come true," Obama said in an interview with Reuters.

As Netanyahu spoke, Secretary of State John Kerry was in Switzerland opening another round of talks with Iran, as the parties try to cobble together a framework agreement before an end-of-March deadline. Obama views the prospect of a nuclear accord with Iran as a central component of his foreign policy legacy — as much as Netanyahu views blocking such a deal as a component of his own.

Netanyahu has been wary of Obama's diplomatic pursuits with Iran from the start, fearing the U.S. will leave Tehran on the cusp of being able to build a bomb. As the outlines of a deal have emerged and the deadline has drawn near, his criticism has become more forceful.

U.S. officials have reported progress toward a prospective agreement that would freeze Iran's nuclear program for at least 10 years but allow the Iranians to slowly ramp up in later years. Netanyahu has said that framework suggests the U.S. and its partners have "given up" on stopping Iran. In response, Kerry has said America's historic support of Israel suggests Washington deserves the benefit of the doubt.

While Obama and Netanyahu have never gotten along personally, the rift over Iran has sunk their relationship to a new low. The White House has criticized the prime minister's address to Congress as a breach of diplomatic protocol and, officials have publicly questioned his judgment on the merits of the Iran deal.

Obama has no plan to meet with Netanyahu this week, citing Israel's March 17 elections and longstanding U.S. policy to avoid appearing to play favorites in foreign voting.

Netanyahu's remarks at AIPAC were bracketed by speeches from a pair of senior U.S. officials: U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power and National Security Adviser Susan Rice.

Power, softening the recent harsh tone, spoke warmly of U.S.-Israeli ties, saying the relationship was rooted in "shared fundamental values" and "should never be politicized." She highlighted the billions of dollars in military assistance Washington delivers as well as the constant defense the U.S. provides Israel at the United Nations.

On Iran, Power said the U.S. shares Israel's commitment to preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. While Obama prefers to achieve that goal through diplomacy, she suggested he would be willing to take more muscular steps if necessary.

"If diplomacy should fail, we know the stakes of a nuclear-armed Iran," she said. "We will not let it happen."

Rice was expected to deliver a more specific rebuttal to Netanyahu's criticism of the U.S.-led nuclear negotiations. She has been among the most outspoken critics of the prime minister's plan to address Congress, calling it "destructive" to the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Kerry and Netanyahu spoke by phone over the weekend, but it did not appear the prime minister would hold any in-person meetings with Obama officials. Vice President Joe Biden was traveling in Guatemala on a trip announced only after the Netanyahu address was revealed. Netanyahu did plan to meet with a bipartisan group of senators after the congressional address, according to his published schedule.

As Senate president, Biden would have sat behind Netanyahu during his speech to Congress. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, the senior Republican senator, was expected to take Biden's place.

House Speaker John Boehner plans to present Netanyahu a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a gift chosen because the two men will be the only foreign leaders to have addressed Congress three separate times.
___

AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Geneva and AP writers Bradley Klapper and Deb Riechmann in Washington contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-03-03

[Ulysses G.]

Netanyahu gave a great speech lat night. The man is real statesman. He gave Obama lots of room to save face after his childish hissy fit. It will be interesting to see if the good will is reciprocated.

[up-country_sinclair]

Netanyahu gave a great speech lat night.

I'm sure all the Israeli lobbyists in attendance lapped it up. One more campaign speech and then he heads back home for the election.

On a related note, the P5+1 negotiations moved forward as if this campaign speech never took place.

[Ulysses G.]

On a related note, the P5+1 negotiations moved forward as if this campaign speech never took place.

Netanyahu's ratings went way up with the American people and he has not even spoken to Congress yet. Now that it is becoming obvious that Obama intends to eventually allow Iran to develop nukes, Netanyahu has a lot of potent ammo for tonight to stop Obama from selling Western democracy out. .

Obama’s chilling Iran nuke lie

Reports that President Obama agrees Iran should be free to make a nuclear bomb in about 10 years put the lie to his repeated vow never to allow an Iranian nuke. The broken promise is the international twin to his domestic whopper that you “can keep your doctor.”

You can’t, but Iran can keep its enriched uranium, making this lie an even bigger bombshell. As in, bombs away.

http://nypost.com/2015/02/25/obamas-nuclear-vow-to-iran-a-potential-catrastrophe/

Edited March 3, 2015 by Ulysses G.

[DaddyWarbucks]

Netanyahu gave a great speech lat night.

I'm sure all the Israeli lobbyists in attendance lapped it up. One more campaign speech and then he heads back home for the election.

On a related note, the P5+1 negotiations moved forward as if this campaign speech never took place.

Hopefully the negotiations in Geneva will continue and reach a successful conclusion before a Zionist monkeywrench is thrown into the machinery.

[Ulysses G.]

A successful conclusion would be preventing Iran from enriching uranium, which is all Netanyahu is asking for. There are many countries that have nuclear power that do not have the capability to enrich their own fuel. They buy it from abroad and thats what Iran could do. None of these countries do. Why should a rogue nation that sponsors terrorism, more that any other nation on earth, be allowed to?

Argentina

Armenia

Belgium

Bulgaria

Canada

Czech Republic

Finland

Hungary

South Korea

Lithuania

Mexico

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Ukraine

Edited March 3, 2015 by Ulysses G.

[DaddyWarbucks]

A successful conclusion would be preventing Iran from enriching uranium. There are many countries that have nuclear power that do not have the capability to enrich their own fuel. They buy it from abroad and thats what Iran could do. None of these countries do. Why should a rogue nation that sponsors terrorism, more that any other nation on earth, be allowed to?

Argentina

Armenia

Belgium

Bulgaria

Canada

Czech Republic

Finland

Hungary

South Korea

Lithuania

Mexico

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Ukraine

Why isn't Israel on that list?

[Ulysses G.]

Israel has nukes, just like the USA and Russia. They had them before the NPT and are under no obligation to join.

[DaddyWarbucks]

Israel has nukes, just like the USA and Russia. They had them before the NPT and are under no obligation to join.

Thanks for the clarification.

The very definition of a rogue state.

[Ulysses G.]

No doubt that the lunatic fringe all agree with you, but most people are a lot more concerned about radical Islam.

[siampolee]

UlyssesG post # 10.

No doubt that the lunatic fringe all agree with you, but most people are a lot more concerned about radical Islam.

Now what was said regarding Israeli actions and the rest of the world?

Perhaps that ''lunatic fringe'' is somewhat nearer to home than you would like to admit

http://www.carolmoore.net/nuclearwar/israelithreats.html

[Ulysses G.]

Not really. Same -same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

Edited March 3, 2015 by Ulysses G.

[Seastallion]

Not really. Same -same.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

The Nash Equilibrium you linked to...EXACTLY why Iran should have nukes.

[Ulysses G.]

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. MAD would not deter them It would encourage them.

[wabothai]

Both men, and "little boy" Korea, are dangerous and are a threat to worldpeace.

[wabothai]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Not really. Same -same. alt=whistling.gif>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

The Nash Equilibrium you linked to...EXACTLY why Iran should have nukes.

No one should have nukes. The control of those weapons of mass destruction cannot be in the hands of a few idiots.

[Seastallion]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Not really. Same -same. alt=whistling.gif>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_assured_destruction

The Nash Equilibrium you linked to...EXACTLY why Iran should have nukes.

No one should have nukes. The control of those weapons of mass destruction cannot be in the hands of a few idiots.

I agree.

But while those that have them will never relinquish them, especially rogue states like N.Korea and Israel that don't sign up to treaties, then everybody should have them.

Israel is maybe worse than N. Korea, what with it's Samson principle, thus Iran in particular should be armed.

[DaddyWarbucks]

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. MAD would not deter them It would encourage them.

To say that the "Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for the End of Days" is absolute nonsense.

The concept is more applicable to Christian Zionists and their belief in the Apocalyptic End Times.

Iran can be an effective ally in the fight against the Islamic State if the Israelis and their amen corner in Washington can be kept on a short leash.

[Seastallion]

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. MAD would not deter them It would encourage them.

To say that the "Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for the End of Days" is absolute nonsense.

The concept is more applicable to Christian Zionists and their belief in the Apocalyptic End Times.

Iran can be an effective ally in the fight against the Islamic State if the Israelis and their amen corner in Washington can be kept on a short leash.

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. ???

Now THAT is definitely such a wild-sounding claim that it needs some backing evidence.

[chuckd]

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. MAD would not deter them It would encourage them.

To say that the "Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for the End of Days" is absolute nonsense.

The concept is more applicable to Christian Zionists and their belief in the Apocalyptic End Times.

Iran can be an effective ally in the fight against the Islamic State if the Israelis and their amen corner in Washington can be kept on a short leash.

"Iran can be an effective ally in the fight against the Islamic State if the Israelis and their amen corner in Washington can be kept on a short leash.

It would seem the Shiite Iranians are already in the battle against the Sunni ISIS, without the knowledge or consent of Obama.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

03.02.15

Iraq’s Attack Against ISIS Catches U.S. ‘By Surprise’

The Iraqi military launched a major campaign to take back a key city from the self-proclaimed Islamic State over the weekend—a move that caught the U.S. “by surprise,” in the words of one American government official.

The U.S.-led coalition forces that have conducted seven months of airstrikes on Iraq’s behalf did not participate in the attack, defense officials told The Daily Beast, and the American military has no plans to chip in.

Instead, embedded Iranian advisors and Iranian-backed Shiite militias are taking part in the offensive on the largely Sunni town, raising the prospect that the fight to beat back ISIS could become a sectarian war.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/02/iraq-s-attack-against-isis-catches-u-s-by-surprise.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The article goes on to explain an attack was launched by the Iraqi Army with Iranian assistance by some 30,000 troops against ISIS in Tikrit. US officials were apparently caught unawares that any attack was being planned.

How does that work into the US needing Iran to fight ISIS? Shiite Iran was ALWAYS going to fight Sunni ISIS and Israel along with their US Amen corner could have done nothing to alter that outcome either way.

[Ulysses G.]

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. MAD would not deter them It would encourage them.

To say that the "Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for the End of Days" is absolute nonsense.

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. ???

Now THAT is definitely such a wild-sounding claim that it needs some backing evidence.

It is not a secret. Iran has produced a film on the 12th Imam that is on YouTube. Ahmadinejad has even called for the reappearance of the 12th Imam from the podium of the United Nations General Assembly.

The apocalyptic catch? The Mahdi is expected to appear when the world is wracked in utter chaos and war. Many Sunnis also believe that the Mahdi will come in such a judgment-day scenario, but believe that he has not been born yet.

The Twelver beliefs have raised concern in conjunction with Iran's steeped interest in furiously pressing forward with its nuclear program, combined with threats against Israel and the West. Critics of the Islamic Republic allege that Ahmadinejad and the supreme leader would even go so far as to hasten a nuclear showdown and cataclysmic strike -- perhaps an attack on Israel and inevitable retaliation -- to hasten the arrival of the 12th Imam. Ahmadinejad has even called for the reappearance of the 12th Imam from the podium of the United Nations General Assembly. During his speeches within Iran, Ahmadinejad has said that the main mission of the Islamic Revolution is to pave the way for the reappearance of the 12th Imam.

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/poll-nearly-half-americans-take-issue-netanyahu-speech-n315071

Edited March 3, 2015 by Ulysses G.

[Chicog]

House Speaker John Boehner plans to present Netanyahu a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a gift chosen because the two men will be the only foreign leaders to have addressed Congress three separate times.

What an insult to Britain and the Churchill family.

Shame on you Boehner.

[Asiantravel]

House Speaker John Boehner plans to present Netanyahu a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a gift chosen because the two men will be the only foreign leaders to have addressed Congress three separate times.

What an insult to Britain and the Churchill family.

Shame on you Boehner.

I wonder if it’s the same one that Obama said he didn’t want when he moved in to the Oval Office?

[Chicog]

House Speaker John Boehner plans to present Netanyahu a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a gift chosen because the two men will be the only foreign leaders to have addressed Congress three separate times.

What an insult to Britain and the Churchill family.

Shame on you Boehner.

I wonder if it’s the same one that Obama said he didn’t want when he moved in to the Oval Office?

You mean Bush's one?

"The one displayed by Mr Bush was indeed returned, along with all other art lent to him, as his presidency came to an end. The other, which remains in the White House residence, was given as a gift to President Lyndon B Johnson in 1965 by a group of Atlanticist diplomats and military officers."

[up-country_sinclair]

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. MAD would not deter them It would encourage them.

To say that the "Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for the End of Days" is absolute nonsense.

The concept is more applicable to Christian Zionists and their belief in the Apocalyptic End Times.

Iran can be an effective ally in the fight against the Islamic State if the Israelis and their amen corner in Washington can be kept on a short leash.

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. ???

Now THAT is definitely such a wild-sounding claim that it needs some backing evidence.

Islam demonizers have great difficulty separating fact from hate-filled ignorant fiction.

Edited March 3, 2015 by up-country_sinclair

[up-country_sinclair]

On a related note, the P5+1 negotiations moved forward as if this campaign speech never took place.

Netanyahu's ratings went way up with the American people and he has not even spoken to Congress yet. Now that it is becoming obvious that Obama intends to eventually allow Iran to develop nukes, Netanyahu has a lot of potent ammo for tonight to stop Obama from selling Western democracy out. .

So let me see if I can follow your "logic".

The President of the United States (who will never be in another election) is going to abruptly change his position on an issue he clearly feels strongly about because a foreign leader that he despises is giving a campaign speech? Good luck with that pipe dream.

Quite ironically, this is only going to make the president more determined to get the deal done.

I hate to say it, but once again, this is another example of how you don't have a firm grasp on US politics.

[Ulysses G.]

I don't remember you every getting anything right on US politics. You'll have to forgive me if I ignore your rather questionable personal opinions as per usual.

[Chicog]

Again, what time does the show start?

[Ulysses G.]

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. MAD would not deter them It would encourage them.

To say that the "Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for the End of Days" is absolute nonsense.

The concept is more applicable to Christian Zionists and their belief in the Apocalyptic End Times.

Iran can be an effective ally in the fight against the Islamic State if the Israelis and their amen corner in Washington can be kept on a short leash.

Iranian mullahs worship a death cult that longs for End of Days. ???

Now THAT is definitely such a wild-sounding claim that it needs some backing evidence.

Islam demonizers have great difficulty separating fact from hate-filled ignorant fiction.

You'll have to tell the Iranian government that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXS-H2eiBLY

[up-country_sinclair]

OK, so perhaps our resident "Israel Firsters" can explain why the President of the United States and the other members of the P5+1 are going to suddenly change course because of this campaign speech.

Lay it out for us how this supposedly happens. Step by step.

I await with baited breath.

Edited March 3, 2015 by up-country_sinclair