Democrats trying to prevent US military operation against Iran

PanARMENIAN.Net - A new bill was introduced in the US House of Representatives, which bans the presidential administration to use budget means for military actions, including air operations against Iran without Congress's approval. The bill titled "Ban on using means for military operations in Iran" was simultaneously introduced in two subcommittees -the subcommittee on military issues and the subcommittee on foreign affairs.



"No means assigned by any law, including a law adopted after passage of this legislation can be used or spent for military operations or actions in or above the Iranian territory or in Iranian territorial waters without a special permission from the Congress," says the bill.



But the document includes a proviso, according to which the ban on using budget means may be repealed in four cases. "If the USA carries out military operations for repulsing an attack from Iranian territory; if military actions are necessary to prevent an unavoidable attack from Iranian territory; if the military operation requires from American troops to chase the enemy who goes deep into the Iranian territory as well as in case of realizing military operations or actions connected with reconnaissance or actions of reconnaissance character by the US government," the bill states.



In these four exceptions within 24 hours the US President must introduce a "Report on incursion, including substantiation" to the Congress if he makes decision on using budget means.



A similar bill has been also introduced in the Senate. This is already the fourth effort of Democrats to tie George Bush's hands in his policy towards Iran, RIA "Novosti" reports.



Bush has repeatedly underlined that he is in favor of diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear problem, including in the area of the UN Security Council. At the same time he has always stated that not a single possible variant, including forceful solution is excluded. The White House is against such restrictions stating that with its actions the Congress interferes in President's authorities as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the US Armed Forces. In response opponents of military solution to the Iranian problem say that according to the US Constitution only the American Congress has the right to declare war to a foreign state.