Bush warns of Iran 'nuclear holocaust'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/28/wbush128.xml
By Damien McElroy, Foreign Affairs Correspondent and Alex Spillius in
Washington
Last Updated: 2:06am BST 29/08/2007
George W Bush used his most inflammatory language so far towards
Iran's Islamic regime, warning that letting Teheran acquire atomic weapons
risked putting the Middle East "under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust".
In a wide-ranging speech to war veterans, Mr Bush tackled
the issue of Iran's nuclear ambition In a speech to US war veterans designed
to shore up support for the unpopular war in Iraq and his policy in the Middle
East, he said that Iran posed a danger to the whole world by pursuing nuclear
weapons and supporting Islamic extremists in other countries.
"Iran's active pursuit of technology that could lead to nuclear weapons
threatens to put a region already known for instability and violence under the
shadow of a nuclear holocaust," he said.
The president told the American Legion's annual convention in Reno, Nevada
that he had "authorized our military commanders" to confront "Iran's murderous
activities".
He added: "We will confront this danger before it is too late".
His remarks came as Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad threatened to step
in to an emerging a "power vacuum" in Iraq and hinted at a probable contest
with Saudi Arabia for influence when American troops withdraw.
Mr Ahmadinejad, who has vowed to 'wipe Israel off the map', renewed his
verbal warfare with the West in a wide-ranging diatribe against America and the
new French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
The maverick populist struck a triumphant tone, predicting the collapse of
the American project to establish a democratic government in Iraq.
"The political power of the occupiers is being destroyed rapidly and very
soon we will be witnessing a great void of power in the region," he said.
"You [America] cannot preserve your power over Iraq with a few tanks,
artillery and weapons. Today, you are prisoners of your own quagmire. Today you
have no choice but to accept the rights of the Iraqi people.
"I can tell you there will be a power vacuum in the region. We are ready with
other regional countries, such as Saudi Arabia, and the people of Iraq to fill
this vacuum."
While elements in the Iranian regime have assisted and conspired with
militias responsible for attacks on the US military and Iraqi civilians, Mr
Ahmadinejad's comments appeared to indicate Teheran sees its efforts to
incorporate Iraq into its sphere of influence only partially complete.
As the Middle East's foremost Shia Muslim power it views protection of its
co-religionists in Iraq as a fundamental responsibility. Saudi Arabia is
equally protective of Sunni Muslim interests.
Mr Ahmadinejad's comments appear to constitute a warning to Riyadh that
Teheran will directly intervene in Iraq.
He rejected criticisms of his nuclear brinkmanship in a speech by Mr Sarkozy,
dismissing the French leader as a neophyte.
"He is still inexperienced, meaning that maybe he does not really understand
the meaning of his own words," he said.
After denying that Iran had complied with United Nations resolutions to cease
enrichment of uranium, Mr Ahmedinejad launched a bitter personal attack on his
American counterpart, condemning President George W. Bush as "wicked, selfish
and arrogant".
Earlier Iranian television viewers were treated to a glimpse into Mr
Ahmadinejad's domestic affairs.
Before his elevation to the presidency, Mr Ahmadinejad claimed to have been
an avid cook with a wide repertoire of dishes.
"Of course what I make is delicious ask everyone who has eaten it," he
said. "I can make all the different kinds of soups and Iranian stews".
Since his election two years ago he has worked such punishing hours that he
can rarely spare time to shop for his family but as every good son should he
still visits his mother.
"I used to visit my relatives more but now I do so less. I see them when they
are all in one place, but I regularly visit my mother and when I visit her the
rest come to see me," he said.
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