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Last update - 07:49 25/05/2007
Ex-U.S. defense chief: It would be a mistake for Israel to attack Iran
By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent

Former United States Defense Secretary William Perry said Thursday that it would be a mistake for Israel to attack Iran.

"It will be unwise if Israel chooses to do it," Perry said in an interview with Haaretz. "It may slow down and damage Iran's nuclear sites, but it will not stop them."

Perry, who was defense secretary from 1994 to 1997 under then president Bill Clinton, is attending an international conference titled "Preventing a Nuclear Catastrophe." The conference was organized by Israeli-Russian businessman Viatcheslav Kantor who is the president of the Russian Jewish Congress.
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Perry, 80, today a professor at Stanford University, said Iran's nuclear program is more dangerous than North Korea's, which he dealt with during his term in office.

"But it is also more difficult to resolve. It creates a double problem more dangerous and more difficult," said Perry.

Asked how viable a military option was, Perry said, "I'm very doubtful about a military option, because the Iranian nuclear program is hidden. The results could be more dangerous. It is necessary to insist on a diplomatic solution that would include sanctions."

"Sanctions supported by incentives can be effective" he said.

Asked how committed he thought the Democratic Party presidential hopefuls were to stopping Iran from having nuclear weapons, Perry said: "Every president, Republican or Democrat, recognizes that it is a dangerous problem but in order to deal with it, the United States has to engage in a serious dialogue."

This is why "it's too early to talk about a military option," he said.
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  1.   Well spoken Mr. Perry...except... 07:13  |  Mordechai 25/05/07
  2.   What Does He Care? He`s 80 Years Old! 07:36  |  Yosemite 25/05/07
  3.   Israel cannot be that foolish.... I hope 07:43  |  Natallie Durson 25/05/07
  4.   PERRY IS CONFUSED, TOO OLD 07:53  |  indrajaya 25/05/07
  5.   here`s the playbook: 09:21  |  samos 25/05/07
  6.   iran will be hit soon because they BARK LIKE SADAM 09:37  |  reuven 25/05/07
  7.   Actually... 10:01  |  Yosemite 25/05/07
  8.   Admiral Fallon Won`t Do It 10:34  |  Rowan Berkeley 25/05/07
  9.   Only USA coud do it 11:17  |  Rolandus 25/05/07
  10.   An Impossible Decision 12:07  |  Apropos 25/05/07
  11.   FULLY LOGICAL THINKING, this man is right 12:26  |  VIPER 25/05/07
  12.   Israeli attack = regime`s survival 12:43  |  Mark B. 25/05/07
  13.   not going to happen 13:09  |  margo 25/05/07
  14.   Perry to Israelis: "Enjoy the warmth of the exploding nukes" 14:12  |  Scientist 25/05/07
  15.   #3 14:52  |  Harry Mudd 25/05/07
  16.   First , dust down Iran nuclear sites , then talk later 07:51  |  Joseph E . 26/05/07
  17.   #16, JOSEPH, and do the same to israel 04:33  |  VIPER 27/05/07
  18.   #9 What about France? Leave USA out of it! 13:28  |  sick of war 12/12/07
  19.   #9 What about France? Leave USA out of it! 13:28  |  sick of war 12/12/07
  20.   #15 13:43  |  provide numbers? 12/12/07
  21.   #15 13:43  |  provide numbers? 12/12/07
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