By Jennifer Parker

Dec 20, 2009 11:38am

Axelrod to Iran: There Will Be ‘Consequences’

The President’s Senior Adviser, David Axelrod, told me “there will be consequences” for Iran if they continue to buck the international community on their alleged nuclear weapons program.  


In my This Week interview Axelrod added, “nobody has any illusions about what the intent of the Iranian government is.”


Diane Sawyer’s exclusive interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will air Monday evening on World News, and This Week got a first look. 


The Times of London reported earlier this week that week that intelligence documents they had obtained showed Iran had been working on a nuclear trigger.   Ahmadinejad said the documents were, “fabricated papers issued by the American Government”.  Axelrod called Ahmadinejad’s allegation “nonsense”.

(TRANSCRIPT BELOW)


STEPHANOPOULOS:  One final question on Iran.  The Times of London
reported earlier this week that they had obtained intelligence documents
showing that Iran had been working on a nuclear trigger.  This has been
looked at by western intelligence agencies as well, and if authentic,
the most significant evidence yet that Iran has a nuclear weapons
program.  Diane Sawyer interviewed President Ahmadinejad about this, and
here was the exchange. 



    (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) 


    SAWYER:  Critics of Iran saying this is the smoking gun.  Have you
been testing a neutron initiator? 
    


    PRES. MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, IRAN (through translator):  I think that
some of the claims about the nuclear issue have turned into repetitive
and tasteless jokes. 
   


SAWYER:  Would you like to see this document, is a joke? 


    AHMADINEJAD:  No, I don’t want to see this kind of document.  These
are some fabricated papers issued by the American government. 


    SAWYER:  Will you return to talks on nuclear issues? 


    AHMADINEJAD:  We have not closed the dialogue window.  (inaudible)
ready, and also there is a continuing dialogue and discussion. 


    (END VIDEO CLIP) 
   


 STEPHANOPOULOS:  Fabricated papers issued by the American government? 


    AXELROD:  Well, of course that’s nonsense.  Listen, nobody has any
illusions about what the intent of the Iranian government is.  And we’ve
given them an opportunity to prove otherwise by allowing them to ship
their nuclear material out to be reprocessed for peaceful use.  And they
have passed on that deal so far.  And the international community is
going to have to deal with that if they don’t change their minds.  
   


 (CROSSTALK) 


    AXELROD:  … we’ll see about that, because there seems to be
division within their government.  Understand, George, what’s happened. 
When we came to office, Iran was united and the world was divided in an
approach to deal with Iran.  Today, Iran is bitterly divided, and the
world community has come together, and the president has been a big
force in bringing them together.  And I think that the world is united
and is willing to take additional steps if the Iranians don’t turn around. 
   


STEPHANOPOULOS:  But bottom line is, if they don’t turn it around by
December 31st, sanctions will come? 


    AXELROD:  Well, we’re talking — plainly, there are going to be
consequences if they don’t turn around.

User Comments

ooooooooooo.. I bet they are shaking in their silos

Posted by: welcome to Obamaville,the fastest growing homeless community | December 20, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am

The consequences will be that we will have to listen to another speech by obama telling us how he has made a segnificant breakthru and that bomb test doesent mean they will use their bomb.

Posted by: earl | December 20, 2009, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm

Oh I’m sure Iran’s just terrified. Obama might wag his finger at them. Hoo boy.

Posted by: CH | December 20, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm

Iran is putting itself in jeopardy, (baby).

Posted by: ThisIs Wrong | December 20, 2009, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm

Were going to huff and puff and blow your house down. America’s military might has become a fairy tale- this country does not have the stomach to prosecute a war or skirmish with the objective of winning. Now we pack all of the fear and trembling of the UN Security Forces who best take money and look the other way.

Posted by: smac761 | December 20, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm

This is entertainment! A verbal ballet, George asks a question, appearing “resolved in the pursuit of the truth”, then Mr. Axelrod responds with rehearsed talking points not answering the question, and George smiling moves on. Also, whenever Mr. Axelrod goes public it because the Administration needs a positive spin on really negative news. He is good story teller and I hope he realizes that Bottom line– There is a credibility issue here for both ABC News and Administration, but entertaining nevertheless. Sadly, we expect more from both George and Mr. Axelgrease, er Axelrod.

Posted by: Jofe | December 20, 2009, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

How did I know ABCNEWS would delete my comment? I can keep on typing it in, I don’t mind. It seems to me when someone in the public actually thinks for themselves and points out an obvious fact, the press runs scared because they don’t have the common sense to ask these questions.
Why should we believe the documents are valid? We went to war with Iraq based on documents that were complete forgeries. Somehow, documents “surfaced” that “showed” Iraq was purchasing yellow cake uranium from Niger. The Bush admin and the press happily paraded those documents as “authentic” when in fact they were proven forgeries. The problem is, nobody bothered to investigate the documents until AFTER we invaded Iraq.
Any sensible person will suspend their judgement of Iran, and instead demand that the US government and the US press that caters to that government actually prove these documents implicating Iran are not forgeries. There are countless foreign countries and domestic agencies who would want to forge documents like these in order to see that an attack on Iran happens. Why should we waste valuable taxpayer money, and worse yet, American LIVES, on documents that may be completely fraudulent? Is this how things work now? All the US has to do is produce anonymously sourced documents, and then we get to attack any country we want? When are the sensible people in America going to wake up and demand accountability?

Posted by: yellow cake | December 20, 2009, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm

all over

Posted by: half_tilted | December 20, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm

They took over one of Iraqs oil wells…Obamas gonna send a swat team…..

Posted by: dean | December 20, 2009, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm

===============================
Bush told Iraq there would be consequences. bush followed through and he paid dearly.
===============================
What is Obama going to do – call Iran nasty names.

Posted by: N Waff | December 20, 2009, 9:44 pm 9:44 pm

Who’s president? This fool or Obama? What does he mean “when we came to Washington”? Does Obama have a mouse in his pocket?

Posted by: luadda22 | December 20, 2009, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm

Axelrod is going to do what he always does – nothing. Perhaps have one of his minions a write letter to the UN, which equates to nothing. Until China and Russia come on board against Iran we might as well forget anything being done. But China and Russia could care less if every country in the world has atomic weapons because they want to sell them the technology and harass the Western world via proxy nations. People are not stupid (at least some of them) and can see right through this farce.

Posted by: Julie | December 21, 2009, 12:41 am 12:41 am

More and more Obama, Axelrod, and the rest sound and look like George W. Bush. I hope they’re not counting on a second term cause it ain’t gonna happen.

Posted by: jan | December 21, 2009, 4:48 am 4:48 am

woooo…just the sight of axelrod on the tube (AGAIN!) is enough to scare anyone… but to tell Iran their will be consequences (AGAIN!), i pity the lil man from camel country. what’s the threat, more speeches by the ‘anointed one’?

Posted by: realman1963 | December 21, 2009, 5:35 am 5:35 am

WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION IN THE HEALTH CARE BILL IT’S A NO VOTE FROM THE PEOPLE!
YOU SENATORS REMOVED THE PUBLIC OPTION DEAL FROM THE HEALTH CARE BILL,
NOW YOU CAN REMOVE MANDATORY COVERAGE FROM THE HEALTH CARE BILL NOW!
TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THIS IS NOT A CHRISTMAS GIFT THIS IS A NIGHTMARE!
WHY IS THE GOP SO BENT OUT OF SHAPE THE PUBLIC OPTION WAS REMOVED FROM HEALTH CARE BILL? THAT’S WHAT YOU BUNCH WANTED!
THE AMERICA PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE SHORT END OF THE STICK ONCE AGAIN A BIG LET DOWN I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY !
THIS IS NOT THE CHANGE WE WERE HOPING FOR A MANDATORY COVERAGE WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION!

Posted by: BrendettNC | December 21, 2009, 8:42 am 8:42 am

I HOPE AND PRAY TO GOD THE HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL DONT PASS WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION!
THE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR’S LEFT THE MANDATORY COVERAGE DEAL IN THE BILL WITHOUT A PUBLIC OPTION!
THIS ONE BIG MISTAKE HAS BROUGHT SHAME ON ALL YOU DEMOCRATIC SENATOR’S!

Posted by: BrendettNC | December 21, 2009, 8:50 am 8:50 am

Of course there will be “consequences”…since the next Administration won’t be as SPINELESS as this one!!! So, Iran has 3 more years to beef up there silos…LOL.

Posted by: free_dude | December 21, 2009, 10:31 am 10:31 am

There’s no evidence of any nuclear weapons program in Iran. Period.
VIENNA (Reuters) – The incoming head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Friday he did not see any hard evidence Iran was trying to gain the ability to develop nuclear arms.
“I don’t see any evidence in IAEA official documents about this,” Yukiya Amano told Reuters in his first direct comment on Iran’s atomic program since his election, when asked whether he believed Tehran was seeking nuclear weapons capability.

Posted by: hass | December 21, 2009, 11:04 am 11:04 am

From me to David Axelrod, The Democrats are going to now face consequences. 11/03/2010, Their very first day of standing in the UN-employment line. Vote’em out, Vote’em all out!

Posted by: Gunnerv1 | December 21, 2009, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm

Just do something but keep you mouth shut. Actions speak louder than words. The Iranian actions drown out our puny words.

Posted by: wallynm | December 21, 2009, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm

And what would you suggest wally? Go to another war? Iraq and Afghanistan were a piece of cake, the people hated their rulers… Now we’re talking about attacking a Democracy? And don’t tell me half the people hate the government there so we can invade and the half will help us, because thats like saying “since half the US population hates the government, the hating half will help an occupying force”… Insane.

Posted by: Dabbas | December 22, 2009, 12:31 am 12:31 am

We are talking….lol
Russia is still helping Iran with nuclear plants and China is selling them weapons. Are Russia and China going to stop doing business with them and vote for a UN embargo.
Somebody in the White House needs a reality check.

Posted by: S Haywood | December 22, 2009, 8:14 am 8:14 am

NATO should go in and arrest Ahmedinejad and his vile Dark Age Islamist regime’s top ranks, before it’s too late! I suspect Iran has joint in strategic alliance with the Egyptian Muslim Broterhood and Al-Qaeda, also to target Pakistan nuclear power. Actually, it’s not the West that is constructing “Clash of Civilizations”, but the Islamists themselves! We have been deceived, especially the left! Then these Islamists will use such cultural justification, to reach their most vile political goal of starting a nuclear war with the West and Israel, in their dream of becoming an Islamist global Imperial power!

Posted by: Katharina Sri (former: Noor Aza Othman) | December 22, 2009, 8:32 am 8:32 am

are you kidding? A foreign country is really going to take obama and his cronies serious about “consequences!” Pleaseeeeeeeeee……….every country (including tiny Cuba) knows that obama and 99.9% of “ALL” democrats don’t have the stomach to do ANYTHING. Dems have always had a YELLOW streak down their back as wide as a Mack truck. “Consequences?????” Please….my 3rd grade son has more “grit” than a damned democrat.

Posted by: Richard | December 22, 2009, 9:51 am 9:51 am

Perhaps we should deport all the Global warming and Communist zealots to Iran. It would be interesting to see Iran’s response to the influx of supporters for their government. And it would certainly give the Western World a nice change (& Hope) for the future.

Posted by: Tina | December 22, 2009, 11:02 am 11:02 am

The Iranian government had better wake up or before they know it Obama will make a speech at them.

Posted by: lee | December 22, 2009, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

Iran, hear this. We will send you a strongly worded letter to let you know how seriously we take this issue. You must comply! If you do not, we will send you ANOTHER strongly worded letter of dissatisfaction. You have been warned!

Posted by: Brad | December 22, 2009, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

Those of you who voted for your American Idol (Obama) got exactly what the crazy, radical Right warned you about. I will be a very old man by the time conservatives can undo the damage from this Liberal Congress and our left-of-Marx Assemblyman from Chicago. Instead of voting for “change” in 2012, let’s say we vote for experience, conservative values and someone who actually understands what made this country great.

Posted by: s | December 22, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm

Well, given the huge unpopularity of AHMADINEJAD in Iran, why not work with those within the country who oppose him? Sure this has some risks but it seems a heck of a lot safer than bombing them. Probably half of the country is made up of people in their twenties who are fed up with their leaders. Many of the opposition have given their lives for their beliefs. We should do everything we can, ethically and responsibally to help those people overthrow the dictators.

Posted by: VW | December 22, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

Bush attacked every tiny country that the US did not see eye to eye with. Should Obama go waving the sword and attacking small countries that they don’t agree with? Us can not win a non-nuclear war- that much is obvious.

Posted by: JOACHAM | December 22, 2009, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm

LOL
LMAO
LOL
Yeah, there will be “consequences”. Pres. Obama will give yet another speech. Maybe he’ll even ask them nicely to play nice.

Posted by: Distant Smoke | December 22, 2009, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm

*These
are some fabricated papers issued by the American government*-no its not. but i am sure they will no be able to represent bewilderment for a long time. Coalition of such countries as china, russia, israel, usa and france against their nuclear programm is not a joke.

Posted by: ilona@israel | December 23, 2009, 9:00 am 9:00 am

What will the consequences be? More sanctions?

Posted by: Rochelle | December 23, 2009, 9:30 am 9:30 am

Osama Bin Laden’s family arrived in Iran just before 9/11. They have been protected there ever since. Glad ABC didn’t think that was a story worth reporting.

Posted by: Rick | December 23, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am

Look out Iran you really got the President angry, so you won’t be receiving any more apologies from now on.

Posted by: hkdakota | December 23, 2009, 10:01 am 10:01 am

I strongly oppose any US belligerence against Iran. Iranians love the American people, they declared it innumerable times and do not and will not attack our USA.
They have every right to develop their nuclear industry.
Let Iran alone!
Iran, the country, has every right to develop and to the pursue of happiness! (And to defend from the belligerent pugnacious totalitarian fanatic hysterical paranoiac Israel.)
We are confronted with Iran, not because they attacked our embassy or because we forced the Sha up them, but just because we are subservient of Zionism’s avarice.
Axelrod is bragging to the world, the influence (control?) of Zionism onto Obama’s presidency–as Bush was Zionism dummy, by the way.
In other words, we changed a lot from Bush to Obama… to continue being the #$%^ same ???
The US cannot afford an Obama = Bush environment!
Write to your Congressperson that you do not want more loved innocent gullible American kids dying for Israel’s avarice.
Write or call them asking for peace with the Muslims, and we will blossom back into world leaders–right now we are descended into Zionism chattel.

Posted by: ViejoVizcacha | December 24, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

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