Fairfield Minuteman - "Shays back from Iraq"

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Fairfield Minuteman - "Shays back from Iraq"

According to Congressman Christopher Shays, Pakistan is "the most dangerous and pressing area of concern," in the Middle East.

"It has nuclear weapons and it has given that technology to other countries," Shays said. "I consider it a totally unstable and dangerous country."

Returning from his 21st trip to Iraq earlier this month, Shays (CT-4), who also visited Israel, Afghanistan and Pakistan, sent a letter outlining 20 observations and 32 recommendations to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, other administration officials, congressional and military leaders and leaders of Israel, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

During a conference call Friday, Shays, who is a ranking member of the congressional Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, discussed those observations and recommendations, with specific emphasis on Afghanistan and Pakistan and Iran.

Shays said he was "absolutely convinced" that if Iran obtains nuclear weapons then other nations, like Egypt and Saudi Arabia will follow suit.

Iranian officials have repeatedly denied seeking the development of a nuclear arsenal, insisting that the nation's nuclear aspirations are peaceful in nature. In August, Iran corroborated the International Atomic Energy Agency's estimate of the number of uranium enrichment centrifuges in its possession. That number was put at 4,000 existing centrifuges, with 3,000 more on the way. Iranian officials said nuclear power is needed to meet that country's growing energy needs.

Nonetheless, on Friday Shays advocated advance planning for the possibility of Iran using nuclear technology for militaristic purposes.

"The U.S. needs to develop a contingency plan should Iran develop nuclear weapons," he said. "And if we did have an attack, the consequences of it."

National media outlets recently reported that Israeli administration officials have expressed a desire to attack Iranian nuclear facilities, requesting so-called "bunker buster" deep impact bombs from the U.S., a request that was reportedly denied.

But should Iran obtain an arsenal of nuclear weapons, Shays said he believes "Israel would act unilaterally."

Expressing considerable hope for Iraq's future - Iraq security has "improved dramatically," he said - Shays reiterated his call for a drawdown of troops, but said it must be done responsibly.

U.S. forces, he said, must stay on to provide medical and logistical assistance and to "act as a deterrent from any external attack.

Shays warned of "making the same mistakes" in Afghanistan and encouraged the use of a significant fighting force, 620,000 foreign and domestic security personnel.

"I have incredible reservations about Afghanistan," he said. "I'm not sure we know our objective and I'm not sure we know what is required to meet our objective."

It is imperative, Shays said, to understand the history and culture of Afghanistan, a nation "that has never been conquered."
"Alexander the Great came the closest," Shays said. "And he had the sense to know he couldn't control this area."

Regarding Israel, Shays said he supports a "two state solution," making the suggestion that Egypt cede some land to Gaza and that Jordan monitor the West Bank, allowing Palestine the resources it would need for growth.

Christopher Shays is currently running for reelection against democrat Jim Himes.

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