US Congressmen seek to bar US attack on Iran

Washington, Jan 19: In an apparent move to avoid escalation of war across Iraq's border, a bipartisan group of lawmakers has sought to restrain the Bush administration from using force against Iran even as officials denied such a possibility.

The group introduced a resolution, seeking to force President George Bush to obtain specific Congressional approval before resorting to any such move.

The group which is opposed to the proposed surge of troops in Iraq got worried at the possibility of escalation of war after the President's speech last week, suggesting that US troops will be moving to interrupt support from Iran and Syria for insurgents in Iraq.

At a press conference yesterday, Republican Congressman Walter B Jones was joined by party colleagues Ron Paul and Wayne Gilchrest and Democrats John Larson, Richard Neal, Neil Abercrombie and Marty Meehan to announce their co-sponsorship of a joint resolution concerning the use of force by the United States against Iran.

''If the President is contemplating committing our blood and treasure in another war, then he and his administration must come to Congress and make their case,'' Congressman Jones said in a statement.

He said, ''the Congress answers to the American people and must justify why it would be in our national security interests to engage militarily in Iran.'' He added the people in Eastern North Carolina, whom he represent, believe in the Bible and the Constitution.

Jones quoted James Madison, who was well-known for his position on the Constitution and the War Powers provision, as having once said, ''The power to declare war, including the power of judging the causes of war, is fully and exclusively vested in the legislature.

The executive has no right, in any case, to decide the question, whether there is or is not a cause for declaring war.'' He said ''our Constitution states that while the Commander-in-Chief (the President) has the power to conduct wars, only Congress has the power to authorise war. It's time for Congress to meet its Constitutional responsibility'' by requiring specific Congressional authorisation before the use of military force against Iran.

The Republican lawmaker said, ''Today, there is growing concern, justified or not, that Administration officials are contemplating military action against Iran. We are not naive. We understand the serious threats posed by Iran, and we know that extreme elements in Iran's leadership may even welcome military conflict with the United States. The question is how best to address those threats.'' He made it clear that no previous resolution passed by Congress authorised such a use of force. ''And, absent a national emergency or an imminent attack by Iran upon the United States or its armed forces, the President must consult with Congress and receive specific authorisation before initiating any use of military force against Iran.'' However, according to media reports from Manama, Defence Secretary Robert Gates, who is currently on a tour to the Gulf, said that the United States did not want a conflict with Iran, and that there were many other courses of action it could take short of force.

''I don't think anyone wants another military conflict in this region,'' Gates said.

UNI