Reid, Levin, Biden and Rockefeller Write to Bush, RE: Iran policy/strategy

[babylonsister]

http://democrats.senate.gov/journal/entry.cfm?id=274985&

Senators Reid, Levin, Biden and Rockefeller Write to President Bush

Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators Carl Levin, Joseph Biden Jr. and John D. Rockefeller IV sent a letter to the President in light of new developments regarding Iran and the release of the IAEA's latest assessment of Iran's nuclear activities.

Senator Reid said:

I am troubled by recent steps by Iran - detention of respected foreign scholars, continued pursuit of technologies suitable for nuclear weapons development and support for violence in Iraq. I am also concerned that, for far too long, the Bush Administration's Iran policy has been adrift and unable to deliver results that enhance America's security and address these issues.

My colleagues and I have sent a letter to the President asking him to take an important step forward in assuring Congress that he has an effective strategy in place for addressing the challenge of Iran by sending Congress a report and new national intelligence estimates on Iran. Congress needs to have greater confidence that the Administration is not mismanaging Iran policy as it has mismanaged its Iraq policy.

Here is the text of the letter sent by Senate Majority Leader Reid, Armed Services Committee Chairman Levin, Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Biden, and Intelligence Committee Chairman Rockefeller:

We respectfully call your attention to an unfulfilled provision of law that would greatly enhance Congressional oversight of U.S. policy on Iran.

As you know, Section 1213 of the fiscal year 2007 Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 109-364) requires you to provide Congress with an unclassified and classified report on your policy objectives and strategy regarding Iran. Congress expects that the Section 1213 report will address questions that have been raised about the role in your strategy of U.S. diplomatic, financial, intelligence, military and other activities, and development, public diplomacy, democracy, education, cultural and other programs relating to Iran.

Section 1213 also requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit to the Congress updated and comprehensive national intelligence estimates (NIEs) on Iran, in both classified and unclassified form, and we understand that several Iran-related NIEs that should address this requirement are nearing completion.

There is great interest in the Senate in ensuring an effective US policy addressing the challenge of Iran. Since the January 2007 deadline in law for filing these reports has long passed, we would appreciate an estimate from you on the expected completion dates for these reports. Rigorous oversight by Congress is an essential part of crafting effective national security policy, and receiving and reviewing these reports as soon as possible is important to accomplishing this task. We look forward to your update, and in the upcoming months, we hope we can work together on crafting an effective policy response to this important foreign policy challenge.

[mmonk]

1. I think there is a somewhat strong possiblity

on conflict with Iran. Extending bloodshed there would have bi-partisan support.

[global1]

2. So Now They're On Record - Now * Can Do As He Pleases And Attack Iran......

and these guys can point to this letter saying - we asked him for this info and they didn't provide it to us. What's a poor Dem to do?

I'm more convinced this a.m. than ever that * is going to attack Iran. Yesterday I read about the naval build-up in the Gulf. I woke up this a.m. to CNN sending out ominous warnings that the UN and IAEA is concerned about Iran.

There is a build-up in the price of gas - and all of MSM is going along with it and preparing us for even higher prices.

The Dems caved on the Funding Bill and *Co is talking about future surge's.

The Pentagon is planning years ahead for continued occupation of Iraq. The embassy to end all embassy's is still being constructed.

*'s recent issuing of the Executive Order - National Security and Homeland Security Presidential Directive.

And it looks like nothing can impede this administration. No torture, no Plame, no spying, no firing of USA's. Gonzo is still in place. They keep thumbing their nose at us - gloating.

Though on the surface the Repugs in Congress are feigning that they are losing support for this Iraqi occupation - when the rubber meets the road - they support *. No chink's in their armour.

I'm sure I missed some other signs - but in my book these are all signs that * is going ahead and will sometime before his term is up - attack Iran.

Please someone try and tell me otherwise.

[babylonsister]

3. The recent directive giving * ultimate power is what's truly frightening.

I wish I could talk you out of this, but I can't.:-(

[mmonk]

4. AIPAC and ATC.

The people are already adequately propagandized for war with Iran. Congressional authority for attack on Iran has already been waived. Sibel is gagged with no support from members of Congress. So called accountability acts in regard to Iran have been in place. Efforts at dialogue by Iran have been rebuffed. I could go on about the warning signs, but I won't.

[global1]

5. I Saw A Clip Of Condi On CNN Yesterday - With The Voice Over Saying.....

that she was pleading with Iran to hold talks. (I forgot about this one in my original post.)

[mmonk]

6. It's so easy to lie with voice overs and clips without the words.

It's always been an effective propaganda tool.

[Enrique]

7. Bush better watch out for the dems

they might give him $100 billion for Iran too.

[Pale Blue Dot]

8. Well, now Reid has used the only weapon in his arsenal.

:eyes:

[whistle]

9. Look, Bush's policy on Iran is clear, Dick Cheney says we must bomb the be-jesus

...out of Iran to topple their regime and take their oil. That's what Bush intends to do....That's it!