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20:30 GMT
WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (KUNA) -- The top US military officer Admiral Michael
Mullen on Sunday praised US military strikes against a suspected Al-Qaeda cell
in Yemen.
Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised concerns that Yemen
would become "another safe haven" for terrorists, after the US reportedly
helped launch two missile strikes against Al-Qaeda targets there. While flying
from Germany to the US, Mullen said the cell had grown significantly in the
past two years.
Mullen added the US will continue to help Yemen to fight terrorism, but he
refused to elaborate on the US role in the recent operation.
Meanwhile, Mullen said he is worried that "the clock now running" on the
Obama administration's efforts to engage Iran in dialogue about its nuclear
program by the end of 2009.
"I grow increasingly concerned that the Iranians have been non-responsive.
I've said for a long time we don't need another conflict in that part of the
world," Mullen told reporters.
"I'm not predicting that would happen, but I think they've got to get to a
position where they are a constructive force and not a destabilizing force,"
he added.
He also said today he does not believe Iran's brief seizure of an oil well
in southern Iraq is an attempt to influence Iraqs upcoming elections, but
said the incident adds to his concerns about Irans intentions toward it
neighbor and the region.
Meanwhile, senior Obama adviser David Axelrod said on ABCs "This Week"
that time was running out for Iran to cooperate.
"The international community is going to have to deal with that if they
don't change their minds," he said. "I think that the world is united and is
willing to take additional steps if the Iranians don't turn around. ...
Plainly, there are going to be consequences if they don't turn around." (end)
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