Bolton wanted Iran to pull out of NPT, to induce "counter-reaction" by the US

[Tom Joad]

In this informal conversation with supporters at AIPAC, Bolton, speaking then as a former Ambassador to the UN, as a "free man", seems to reinforce the idea that this administration desires to play a game of Chicken in world diplomacy, not work toward peaceful solutions.

What counter-reactions Bolton had in mind was not spelled out.

This is the portion of the conversation available that you can hear on-line here at StopAIPAC.org
The full written transcript of the 40+ minute conversation can also be found at that site.
It's interesting the adulation Bolton gets from AIPAC, that he could not find even from the Senate under the Republicans.

Bolton:

Let me turn now to the question of Iran and what I think the situation is there. The Security Council just passed a resolution. The resolution that the Security Council passed at the end of last month imposing certain limited sanctions on Iran, obviously the product of a long effort based on Iran’s refusal to comply with the earlier Security Council resolution that gave them until August 31st to cease their uranium enrichment activities. I’d have to say because I’m a private citizen and therefore a free man again, and these are my personal views, now, that this sanctions resolution is very disappointing. It is not as tough as I would have liked to have seen it. In many respects the Russians did an outstanding job from their point of view in protecting Iran, in narrowing the scope of the sanctions, in limiting the effectiveness, I think, of many of the things that we wanted to try and do to prevent the Iranians from continuing to make progress on their nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

I think the Iranian reaction to the sanctions resolution has been very telling in that respect, although they’ve passed a resolution in parliament to re-evaluate their relation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, they have not rejected the sanctions resolution, they have not done anything more dramatic, such as withdrawing from the nonproliferation treaty, or throwing out inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which I actually hoped they would do – that that kind of reaction would produce a counter-reaction that actually would be more beneficial to us.

Listen to the audio:

Read the transcript of whole conversation

[oldtimecanuk]

1. I sure hope that Bolton has slithered back under the rock that he ...

came from.... Just another Bush POS follower!

ww

[Tom Joad]

2. Unfortunately, his mindset is still very much alive in the White House....

The whole idea that it is good if you induce governments into harder lines, so the rationale may exist for "counter-reactions".

The whole thing gets out of control, and the world loses.

[UndertheOcean]

3. Is it even legal to have a foreign interest group like AIPAC lobbying the US gov...

not to mention it being rightwing.

[leftchick]

5. THEY HAVE TONS of $$$$ to give to congress

so yes.

[Tom Joad]

7. aipac itself gives no money, but they network with those who do...

Like Haim Saban. He gave $12 million to political candidates (mostly Democrats) over a few years. More so than any individual (and he is listed as someone from the movie industry, but his issue is supporting Israeli policy and everyone knows it).

People like this are not likely to be offended by politicians who want a long career.

NO one should have this kind of power.

[leftchick]

4. He will be warmongering on C-Span tomorrow

at 9:15 EST right after Sy Hersh. I hope some wise person calls in and throws this in his filthy face

[Tom Joad]

6. l hope i hear a leftist chick call in and do just that!

[leftchick]

8. why no recs for the exposure of this neoFREAK?

K&R!