General Wesley Clark on Fox News
April 5, 2006
Transcript by Reg NYC

Bridgette Quinn: : International nuclear inspectors reportedly heading into Iran this week. They are set to inspect the Natans Nuclear Facility, but will their visit really mean anything? Tehran has, of course, resisted international efforts to keep it's suspect nuclear program in check, and it's grown even more defiant since the UN's atomic watchdog voted to refer Iran's case to the UN Security Council. Joining us now, General Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and a Fox News analyst. General, great to have you here this morning.


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: (inaudible)


Bridgette Quinn: : Is it a positive development that the inspectors will be able to go there?


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: No, I think it's a neutral development. I think it keeps the pot boiling, so to speak. They're likely to report that there is some movement in the, in the installation of the centrifuges. Iran has basically said this. This gives Iran more bargaining power as they see it against the international community, and at the same time, it keeps the temperature boiling in New York.


Bridgette Quinn: : Right, and it, it makes it look as though they're cooperating and the whole issue here, General, really is, is time, right?


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Well, it's a- its a double game. There's a- I think the Iranians are actually playing the nuclear card, both to keep a nuclear option open and to have leverage against the United States in discussions over the future of Iraq. And so, they're looking to, they're looking to enlarge Iran's power in the Gulf and increase the authority and, and respect of the Iranian regime. And so, they're using the nuclear weapon program for this. So this visit simply adds to the credibility of their acquisition of power.


Bridgette Quinn: : Mm Hm. And about Natan specifically, we mentioned that that would be one of the sites that they would be visiting. From what I've been reading, and you touched on this, some three thousand centrifuges there at that enrichment plant.


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Right.


Bridgette Quinn: : And I guess that would let them produce enough bomb-grade uranium for a single atomic weapon if it's operating at full capacity. Anyhow, would that be the number one target for military action, if it were to come to that?


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Well, it would be one target for military action, but there are two different ways that the military option could unfold. On the one hand, there could be an effort to interdict the nuclear program at a sensitive node or two. Or on the other hand, there could be a broad-scale take-down of the Iranian nuclear capability and their defense capability so as to forestall an Iranian response against the United States and our friends in the Persian Gulf.


Bridgette Quinn: : Mm hm. Which do you think would be the better way to go?


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Well-


Bridgette Quinn: : Again, if it came to that.


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: If it comes to this, then I would favor a broader military option. I think the broader military option is the one that forestalls the Iranian options coming back at you.


Bridgette Quinn: : Hm. But with a, a broader-scale take-down, would you need maybe, if not better intel, just more, more intel.


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: You need a longer period of time. It's a more sustained set of strikes. And the Iranians should be, I, I think they should understand. They should not be under the illusion that the United States or, or a western power or any other country could simply, would simply go in there and drop a couple of bombs and say 'that's it'. Because I'm sure that the Iranians have planned for that contingency. The broader option would make certain that there is- that Iran is a much reduced military threat for a long time to come.


Bridgette Quinn: : Yeah. One last one for you, General, the top Democrat on the House Intel Committee was saying that the US intelligence on Iran is inadequate. Do you agree with that? Is it, is it any better after any lessons that might have been learned from the Iraq experience?


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Well, I'm not privy to the exact nature of the intelligence on Iran anymore, because I don't have those clearances or a need to know-


Bridgette Quinn: : I see.


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: -in that. So, I couldn't comment on the specifics, but I will tell you this, that after the Iraqi case I think everyone approaches this kind of sensitive foreign intelligence with a wary eye. Because it's clear that intelligence is a matter of judgment. There are many different views, and you can't- It's not bankable information. It always has to be approached with a, with an aspect of a certain degree of doubt.


Bridgette Quinn: : General Clark, good to talk with you this morning. Thank you.


GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Thank you.