Commander: Iranian threats dominate region

[unhappycamper]

Commander: Iranian threats dominate region
By Lolita C. Baldor - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Dec 7, 2007 11:06:57 EST

MANAMA, Bahrain — Iranian threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital commercial waterway, are the greatest concern for naval security in the region, a senior U.S. Navy commander said Friday.

Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said that while the likelihood of that happening is low, concerns about Iran consume the region — and his day.

“I wake up thinking about Iran, I go to bed thinking about Iran,” Cosgriff told reporters on the eve of a regional conference here where Iran will be a key focus.

He added, “I know of no threat that would cause them to want to close ... the Strait of Hormuz. To me, it’s coercive, it’s intended to intimidate not only the regional nations — ‘Look at us, we can damage your prosperity’— but it’s intended to intimidate the global market. I just don’t think that’s responsible behavior.”

His comments came a day before a regional security conference that Iranian officials decided at the last minute not to attend. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to make the keynote speech Saturday morning to foreign delegates and other national security officials from Persian Gulf nations and other major powers.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_gulfsecurity_071207/



uhc comment: I'm sure much of the Middle East feels the same way about you, Mr. Cosgriff.

[MADem]

1. OOOPssss....that page has gone AWOL. Doggone military Times and their dynamic links.. NT

[unhappycamper]

2. The top link still works.

I've noticed the 404 AWOL links from time to time. :shrug:

[MADem]

3. Thanks!!! nt