http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/Bolton_iran/2008/05/28/99682.html
Bolton: Little Alternative to Iran Strike
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Military action against Iran would be a last resort but the United
States and its allies have not done enough to promote the alternative,
a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said on Wednesday.
John Bolton, who was a leading hawk in President George W. Bush's
administration, told an audience at the Hay literary Festival that
five years of "failed" negotiation with Iran over its nuclear program
had left just two options for dealing with the issue -- regime change
and use of force.
"The use of military force is an extremely unattractive option and
only to be used as a last resort," he said, adding he would favor
regime change.
Bolton said the elements for regime change were present in Iran -- the
economy was in difficulties, young Iranians could see the possibility
of a different life and there were ethnic tensions within the country.
But he added that the United Nations and its allies had not done
enough to bring about the required change.
"I wish that we had had a much more vigorous policy five years ago,"
he said.
Bolton, in Hay to promote his book "Surrender is not an Option," said
the insistence of Britain, France and Germany on trying to negotiate a
solution with Iran and U.S. acquiescence in this policy had failed.
"Today Iran is five years closer to having a nuclear weapons
capability," he said.
Western leaders fear Iran aims to build atomic weapons and the United
Nations has hit Tehran with three rounds of sanctions since 2006,
demanding it cease nuclear enrichment activities. Tehran has refused,
saying its nuclear program is peaceful.
Bolton, who was also Under-Secretary of State under Colin Powell at
the time of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, was jeered by
protesters shouting "war criminal" as he left the stage.
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