| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Rice Opposed Syria Raid |
| 2007-10-06 |
| The September Israeli airstrike on a suspected nuclear site in Syria had been in the works for months, ABC News has learned, and was delayed only at the strong urging of the United States. In early July the Israelis presented the United States with satellite imagery that they said showed a nuclear facility in Syria. They had additional evidence that they said showed that some of the technology was supplied by North Korea. One U.S. official told ABC's Martha Raddatz the material was "jaw dropping" because it raised questions as to why U.S. intelligence had not previously picked up on the facility. Officials said that the facility had likely been there for months if not years. "Israel tends to be very thorough about its intelligence coverage, particularly when it takes a major military step, so they would not have acted without data from several sources," said ABC military consultant Tony Cordesman. A senior U.S. official said the Israelis planned to strike during the week of July 14 and in secret high-level meetings American officials argued over how to respond to the intelligence. Some in the administration supported the Israeli action, but others, notably Sect. of State Condoleeza Rice did not. One senior official said the U.S. convinced the Israelis to "confront Syria before attacking." Officials said they were concerned about the impact an attack on Syria would have on the region. And given the profound consequences of the flawed intelligence in Iraq, the U.S. wanted to be absolutely certain the intelligence was accurate. Initially, administration officials convinced the Israelis to call off the July strike. But in September the Israelis feared that news of the site was about to leak and went ahead with the strike despite U.S. concerns. The airstrike was so highly classified, President Bush refused to acknowledge it publicly even after the bombs fell. |
| Posted by:Nimble Spemble |
| #12 I'd settle for them fearing us. As our revered and fearless leader so aptly puts it, "Oderint Dum Metuant". |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-10-06 22:58 |
| #11 it's quite likely that the suppression technology was from the US, not Israel, or at least not Israeli alone. I'm more than aware of this, LOTP. A sweetheart of mine used to work at Addington Laboratories along with some members of the Old Crows. Let's just say that their stories were rather "amusing". |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-10-06 22:55 |
| #10 Aviation Leak sez: U.S. aerospace industry and retired military officials indicated today that a technology like the U.S.-developed “Suter” airborne network attack system developed by BAE Systems and integrated into U.S. unmanned aircraft by L-3 Communications was used by the Israelis. The system has been used or at least tested operationally in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last year. FYI: Suter as in Colonel Richard "Moody" Suter, USAF. The concept of Colonel David Burney, Colonel Richard "Moody" Suter became the driving force in its implementation, persuading Tactical Air Command commander Lt. Gen. Robert Dixon to adopt the program. Red Flag is one of a series of colored "flags" providing realistic training under combat conditions |
| Posted by: ed 2007-10-06 22:30 |
| #9 Zen, it's quite likely that the suppression technology was from the US, not Israel, or at least not Israeli alone. |
| Posted by: lotp 2007-10-06 22:08 |
| #8 Zen-I'd settle for them fearing us. |
| Posted by: Jules 2007-10-06 22:03 |
| #7 We might not have wanted to have this technology exposed to the Russians and Iranians. It's difficult to imagine that the Israelis felt as though they had any alternative. Especially so in light of Condie's recent Arabophillic treachery. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-10-06 21:45 |
| #6 Gotta make sure they like us, they really like us. When it comes to Muslims, the best way of doing that is by making sure we scare the ever-living-shit out of them. They need to be pissing all over themselves in abject gratitude and relief whenever we smile their way. Maybe then they'll "like us". |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-10-06 21:43 |
| #5 One reason I would try to restrain such an attack is that it has apparently revealed some technology we had available to us. Whenever you pull a new trick out of the bag, it doesn't take long for someone to develop a countermeasure for it. We might not have wanted to have this technology exposed to the Russians and Iranians. |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2007-10-06 20:14 |
| #4 If true, Condi is beginning to sound like she sticks to Sally Field's playbook: Gotta make sure they like us, they really like us. |
| Posted by: Jules 2007-10-06 19:44 |
| #3 Condi's become an absolute captive of the Foggy Bottom Arabist/appeaser crowd. She's beginning to make Colin Powell look good in comparison. |
| Posted by: Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo) 2007-10-06 18:03 |
| #2 Rice's pull date has expired. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-10-06 15:01 |
| #1 Trip. We've got this story covered. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2007-10-06 12:14 |