Pat Buchanan





            "That is a red line for us," Panetta added. "If we get intelligence they are proceeding with developing a nuclear weapon, then we will take whatever steps necessary to deal with it."

            Panetta is raising the specter of pre-emptive war.

            When Pelley's report hit, however, the Pentagon immediately began to walk the cat back.

            "The secretary was clear that we have no indication that the Iranians have made a decision to develop a nuclear weapon," said Pentagon press secretary George Little. "He (Panetta) didn't say that Iran would, in fact, have a nuclear weapon in 2012."

            Little added that U.N. inspectors remain in Iran and have access to its uranium stockpile, and should Iran attempt a "breakout" by diverting low-enriched uranium to a hidden facility to convert it to weapons grade, U.N. inspectors would instantly detect the diversion.

            "We would retain sufficient time under any such scenario to take appropriate action," said Little.


Pat Buchanan

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