Al Gore, re-entering America's foreign policy discussion, accused the Bush administration Tuesday of showing "impatience and disdain" toward U.S. allies in the war in Afghanistan and said military force alone would not win the long struggle against terrorism.
Speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations, a New York based think-tank, Gore embraced President Bush's labeling of Iraq, Iran and North Korea as an "axis of evil." However, he said that other dangerous issues have to be addressed, such as poverty, ignorance, environmental problems, disease, corruption and political oppression.
With regards to Bush’s declaration of the “axis of evil” during his State of the Union address, Gore offered some cautionary thoughts on dealing with Iraq, Iran and North Korea. The United States must deal with the threat of Iraq "on our terms," he was quoted as saying by AP.
That means U.S. strategy must be mindful of the survival of Pakistan's ruler, avoid an escalation of Middle East violence and protect the security and interest of allies like the Saudi Kingdom, Turkey and the Arab Gulf States.
Gore stated that once a strategy for Iraq is developed, "we must be prepared to go the limit."
With regards to the Islamic Republic, Iran must be recognized as a potential threat greater than Iraq, he said, but Washington should also find ways "to encourage the majority who obviously wish to develop a more constructive relationship with us," Gore added. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
