Biden's Warning To Condi on Attacking Iran

Foreign relations committee January 11, 2007
Biden’s wrap up--warning Condi (excerpt)

Biden: secondly, I also want to make it clear, as chairman of the committee, that I feel very strongly that the authorization of the use of force in the provision that the senator (webb) read from it explicitly denies you the authority to go into iran. Let me say that again: explicitly denies you the authority to go into iran. We will fight that out if the president moves but I just want the record to show, and I would like to have a legal response from the state department that if they think they have authority to pursue networks or anything else across the boarder into Iran and Iraq (meant Syria) that will generate a constitutional confrontation here in the senate, I predict to you. At least I will attempt to make it a confrontation.

hair and whisper 'it's all right' dont cry, we'll kill some people for you.... no we cant execute any one.. this isn't Texas... but there are people we can blow up in another place.. dont cry.. they will will be dead soon. as he rock back and forth sucking his thumb.. and bottle of Jack

in response to alledged weapons smuggling. Biden said Congress will oppose any move into Iran.

Pace made a statement that affirms that the US military won't cross into Iran in pursuit of any weapons flows to Iraqi insurgents. The General is quoted in the NYT as saying diplomacy can deal with Iran.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/1/11/132431/340
Biden Threatens "Constitutional Confrontation" Re Iran Hotlist
by SusanHu
Thu Jan 11, 2007 at 10:27:23 AM PST

Sen. Joe Biden just informed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that, should the Bush administration attempt to cross over into Iran without Congressional approval, such action will provoke a "constitutional confrontation."

Sen. Biden is the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

(I was just listening to the Senate Foreign Relations committee hearing on Iraq, via C-Span3. It just concluded. I thought his remark so significant you needed to know right away, rather than wait for a news story to appear.)

Posted originally at No Quarter.

* SusanHu's diary :: ::
*

FYI: C-Span3 has now gone to the House Armed Services Committee hearing with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who is about to speak, and Gen. Peter Pace.

You can listen to C-Span 3 via the link above.

::::::::::

Sen. Biden further told Secretary Rice that Bush's escalation plan is a "tragic mistake." And he implied, best I could tell, that Bush's unilateral (unitary executive) escalation of the Iraq War was done without consultation and approval of the U.S. Congress. As Biden was speaking, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) inserted a remark that the Marines have already been told that their stays in Iraq will be extended. Sen. Biden reiterated that every senator supports the troops and is amazed by the "overwhelming commitment" of the troops.
http://www.nytimes.com /...
?hp&ex=1168578000&en=9de2f83aac6506fc&ei=5094&partner=homepage

The region’s potential explosiveness was underscored as General Pace said it was essential to go after those Iranians who supply weapons to insurgents in Iraq.

"Are you going after them in Iran?" the general was asked at the news conference. "Why not go to the source?"

The general said the security of American troops could be protected "by doing the business we need to do inside of Iraq," and that there were non-military means to pressure Iran.

"Has anyone in the military recommended operations inside Iran?" the questioner persisted.

"No," the general replied.

Pace's comment is most significant re Iran.

He's saying no US military border crossing or hot pursuit or other action that might be construed by the Iranians as casus belli.

This reminds me of last Spring, when Pace refused to confirm Bush and Rummy's assertions that Iran was providing IED to the Iraqi insurgents. Rummy glared at Pace, but the matter was dropped after that.

Washington Post article today quotes Pace as saying Iran is "complicitous" and "destructive" in assisting Iraqi insurgents, but refuses to endorse any incursion to stop any weapons smuggling across the Iran border.

This, in conjunction with Biden's remark, is extremely significant. It looks like the Congressional majority is about to also step up to the plate in opposition to the Administration's push toward expanding the war to Iran.

Biden and Pace may not be perfect, but right now they're the best hope we have.