US Can Use Nukes Against Iran:Republicans

Frontrunner Republican candidates for the White House say that the United States must stop Iran from making nuclear weapons even if a tactical nuclear strike is needed to do so.In a televised debate on Tuesday night, the candidates also accused rival Democrats – who advocate a negotiated settlement to America’s disputes with Iran – of being soft on the Iranian nuclear issue.The debate was in New Hampshire where the first presidential primary will be held next year.Four of the 10 candidates were asked if they would authorise using tactical nuclear weapons against Iran, all four said yes, they would.Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said he believed “the job could be done with conventional weapons,” but he added that “you can't rule out anything and you shouldn't take any option off the table.”Mr Giuliani is the frontrunner for Republican ticket for the 2008 presidential elections and opinion polls show that he also has a strong chance of getting elected if he wins the nomination.Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore also said that “all options are on the table” with regard to Iranian nuclear weapons. “I wouldn't take any options off the table,” added former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.After the debate, former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee, who did not participate, added his name to the list of candidates who would consider a pre-emptive nuclear attack against Iran. Only one candidate -- Texas Congressman Ron Pau – said that attacking Iran -- indeed even threatening to nuke Iran -- is not the right strategy. “We have to come to our senses about this issue of war and pre-emption,” he said.Democratic candidates had their own debate in New Hampshire on Sunday and largely agreed that the United States should open direct diplomatic talks with Iran on the nuclear issue.The Republicans disagreed. “The Democrats say that Iran is 10 years away from nuclear weapons. Iran is not 10 years away from nuclear weapons,” he said. “And the danger to us is not just missiles. The danger to us is a state like Iran handing nuclear weapons over to terrorists.”A second-tier candidate, California Congressman Duncan Hunter, said the United States reserved the right to dissuade Iran militarily.“I would authorise the use of tactical nuclear weapons if there was no other way to pre-empt those particular centrifuges,” he said, while noting it could probably be done with conventional weapons.Congressman Paul, however, said that Iran was no threat to US national security.“We, in the past, have always declared war in defence of our liberties or go to aid somebody,” he said. “But now we have accepted the principle of pre-emptive war. We have rejected the just war theory of Christianity.” The congressman drew just about 2 per cent in opinion polls, showing that his unconventional views are not very popular.