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Mitt Romney 'On the Record,' Pt. 1: GOP presidential candidate on Middle East conflict, Israel vs. Iran
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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is overseas with stops in Europe and the Middle East and Coretta sat down with him at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
-- -- -- -- Thanks Greta good to be with you it's fun having OK sir I'm -- Smart -- read the newspaper in Israel and -- is reporting and that does.
That the United States said that that the national security advisor Donnelly was over here and -- he was briefed me.
Prime minister Netanyahu on a possible strike and I'm wondering if you have a sense that we are closer to war or Israel's close to over the -- Well I understand that that there are are also reports that that is not exactly what happened.
When the national security advisor was here so we'll have to let them.
The national security advisor and the Israeli government.
They tell us exactly what happened but that being said I think we know that that.
What we're closer to seeing Iran becoming a nuclear nation and we were several years ago I happened to speak at -- personally -- -- five years ago.
Laid out the seven steps I thought were necessary to dissuade Iran from becoming nuclear.
It's -- long time.
Some of those steps are just now being put in place.
And we hope that those nonmilitary.
Options will be effective in keeping Iran from from taking a course which would.
Which would require other options.
I -- is the reason was a little bit suspicious was because of prime minister said -- this morning he says we have to be honest.
And say that all the sanctions and diplomacy so far have not set back the Iranian nuclear program one iota.
So I saw that sort of as the prime minister saying look you know from -- moving forward and the sanctions are working nothing's working and basically you giving us a hint.
That this may be closer than we thought.
Well I can't speak for the prime minister.
But I but I can tell you that I think we have to.
Execute all of the political.
Economic and and diplomatic.
Measures that are possible.
For the world to put pressure on Iran to have them understand what it means to be crippled economically diplomatically by virtue of their there are nuclear ambitions.
But at the same time we recognize that -- down the road.
These sanctions are ineffective.
That we have other options and that it is unacceptable to America and of the world.
For Iran to become a nuclear nation.
How do you make the decision when we are down the road and the American people are all a little -- I suspect found.
Worried about intelligence we had the problem with no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq after.
Intelligence President Bush -- that the the weapons of mass destruction Tony Blair many others the United -- sent everyone thought their weapons of mass destruction.
That turned out wrong so how do you identify when you're at that point down the road with satisfaction.
Well you're you're only sources are of course your intelligence the IAEA.
Inspectors.
Foreign intelligence as well that is in some cases so -- connected with with the sources of data that I give us that information.
But I don't imagine you're ever a 100% certain.
But you do know that there are three parts that have to come together for Iran to to have a -- nuclear capability.
Of a military nature one is sufficient enriched material that they could create bombs.
-- -- -- The second as a weapon -- system and third.
That if if the vehicle we're gonna be launched by rocket would be the kind of rocket that would that would take it some place that into the greatest damage.
So they intelligence community has look at all three of those sources.
And give us the best information possible that something which which the president of the United States will have access to.
And ultimately will have to make the decision.
As to when and whether Iran is about to become nuclear.
If you're elected president benefits down the road at that point.
And Israel decides it's it's got to it's gotta go let's got to move.
-- -- -- stands -- -- -- -- -- -- -- be standing -- -- the president.
-- -- Supporting them for instance in the UN and statements -- we take -- much more active military rulers of corporal.
Well I I don't wanna be highly specific as to the nature of of of our military options down the road.
I think it is suffices to say.
That Israel has a right to defend itself.
It also is true that our president has said and I agree that it is unacceptable to the United States of America.
For Iran to become a nuclear power.
And and that suggests again as our administration is also said.
That we have all options on the table those include military options.
Exactly how they would be exercised and who would exercise in what way.
That's something which -- we don't want a signal to anybody else I certainly would what would not want to make foreign policy on foreign soil.
In any way try and -- -- to distinguish myself from the views that have already been expressed by our government.
Is there any indications the sanctions as far as you know and I -- -- GM kind of maybe a little more access to information but just looking at what we know.
Any idea that the sanctions are having a real impact save a sense of confidence that they may work out.
Well the meetings I've had not -- here in in Israel but also meetings I've had with leaders in the UK.
And -- briefings from individuals in the United States who follow the development in the Middle East that at close range.
There is a suggestion that the economic sanctions.
Particularly some of those put in place by Europe where where they.
I have every tighten the screws very.
Very aggressively.
That those economic section better the sanctions are having had an a significant impact on the economy of -- Has that dissuaded them.
From their nuclear program.
I don't believe so I don't again have inside top secret information in that regard you did hear from the prime minister that he doesn't believe.
It's dissuaded them from their nuclear course but it has an impact on their economy.
-- -- me go to the Catholic kid Israeli Palestinian -- -- Catholic and around this one here as well but how how how would you seek to.
Promote -- resolution that -- -- eluded every single president the Israeli Palestinian conflict what -- what do you think we should do.
Well the right course is for the Palestinians and the Israelis to sit down at the table together.
The Palestinians need do recognize that the course to a two state solution.
Is not through the United Nations -- to the United States or through anyone else but but through a face to face a series of negotiations with the Israelis.
That's a process which I know our nation is has encouraged.
It's one which which I believe future presidents would encourage.
And and I would hope that you see progress in that regard but this is not something we will impose from America.
This is and said something we will encourage and facilitate.
But it is up to Israelis and Palestinians.
To reach their own agreement.
And and to find the two state solution that that we and and our our allies and Israel Asik.
