Los Angeles, Alta California
July 2, 2008
In 2001, the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Daniel Bernard, said "All the current troubles in the world are because of that shitty little country Israel." The diplomat added, "Why should the world be in danger of World War III because of those people?"
Though the French Ambassador could have been a bit more diplomatic, what he said was right on the mark. Today, Ambassador Bernard's statements ring more true than ever. Israel has been making threats to launch a military attack upon the Islamic Republic of Iran, a vile deed that would have a catastrophic effect not just on the Middle East but on the entire world.
Iran's leadership, however, believes that Israel is just bluffing concerning the threats. Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki dismissed talk of a U.S. or Israeli attack against his country, calling the prospect of another war in the Middle East "craziness."
Manouchehr Mottaki said, "We do not foresee such a possibility at the moment. The Israeli government is facing a political breakdown within itself and within the region, so we do not foresee such a possibility for that regime to resort to such craziness." "The United States, too, is not in a position where it can engage in and take another risk in the region."
Manouchehr Mottaki added, "Of course, there are people in the United States who are interested in that. But we think that the rational thinkers in the United States will prevent from that action being taken, and will prevent the imposition of another adventuresome act that would put more pressure on the American taxpayers."
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that that his country would shut down oil traffic in the strategic Strait of Hormuz if Iran was attacked. "In Iran we must defend our national security, our country and our revolutionary system and we will continue to do so," he said.
Part of the reason why Americans are paying close to $5 per gallon for gasoline is the threats Israel is making against oil rich Iran and the instability they cause on the international petroleum markets.
