John McCain: facing Putin by Ukraine and impose sanctions "seriously"
Isabelle Kumar: your image is still very linked to the 2008 presidential race. Six years later, believes that it was an experience that has made it difficult for life or what was positive?John McCain: I think running for President of the United States was positive. But I must stress that, after that election night, never imagined that the world would turn this way. Security conditions have deteriorated dramatically and the American influence has slipped so deep.IK: we ask questions to users and one of the most recurrent is if ponders apply again?JM: No.IK: In final?JM: I think twice is lesson enough on the part of voters.IK: no there are so so many options in the Republican party. But if I had to point out three names, for example, who would be, who would be able to give their support?JM: I will not support anyone until I realized what kind of campaign will be organised. But there is one candidate that stands out clearly: the former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush. Lindsey Graham, a close friend, is also one of the people who most understand matters of national security in the United States. Marco Rubio, Senator from Florida, has impressed, is a rising star.IK: what are the main themes of the forthcoming elections?JM: if it was six months ago, I'd say we need to talk about the economy, energy, and, of course, of the health system. But now I think that issues of national security and foreign policy if they impose dramatically. I think the Group Islamic State, Muslim extremist movements, will continue to be concerned for a long time. Therefore, I believe that the national security and foreign policy are going to be some of the most pressing issues in the campaigns of the next presidential elections.IK: another issue that received insists on the question: "do you still dream with the White House?"JM: If you still dream about it? No, I don't dream about the White House. The best way to heal a defeat is to keep yourself busy. Returned immediately to the place of Senator and kept as busy as possible. It was an honor to have been appointed by the party to run for President. I'm sure it wasn't something that my company officer at the Naval Academy had hoped, not least because I finished in the last five.IK: your choice for number two was controversial. Still defends the choice made by Sarah Palin?JM: she managed to energise our party, our bases, got us up in the polls. The liberal left attacked it fiercely, this is how American politics works. Still, I think these attacks were probably the most unfair that watched in politics in this country. IK: at this point, the atmosphere in Washington has become corrosive, toxic, especially after the announcement of President Obama on immigration reform. The extent to which could aggravate the situation in Washington?JM: the situation is serious. But I think the Republicans have the notion that we can't dive into a logic of retaliation with President Obama. Right now, we have the majority in the two chambers. We have to show the American people our ability to govern. But we cannot limit being the party that just says ' no '. The American people want the advantage of ' yes '.IK: another question we receive: "under what circumstances would you support a ' shutdown ', the temporary closure of public services?"JM: under any circumstances. In my view, there are no circumstances which justify another shutdown of the Government. Already at the time it happened, I was against it.IK: But there are members of his party who argue that ...JM: but I don't think they are in majority. The Republican leadership has stated that there will be a new ' shutdown '. Last time, there were 600 thousand tourists, many of them Europeans who could not visit the national parks, the Grand Canyon in Arizona.IK: the outcome of the midterm elections indicates that will be most likely the next Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Is a key role in foreign policy. What are your priorities in this policy and in the area of defence?JM: first of all, we need to repeal the automatic cuts in the defence sector as well as in other sectors. We're destroying our military, is that all those responsible for the Armed Forces say. It's not just my personal opinion. Secondly, the United States must regain the leadership role, we are needed. In other words, we need to have a robust policy, capable of giving a lesson, first, to Vladimir Putin, who can't advance through Europe this way; Second, we need to defeat the Group of Islamic State. The President says the same thing, but I don't have a strategy. So we're going to work very hard to impose a strategy that can dismantle and defeat the Islamic State.IK: we return to this subject later. As the opponents reacts to describe as a ' Hawk '? Former President Jimmy Carter considered him a malcontent who wants the war. ..JM: You tell me so when I made a mistake. They screwed up always ...IK: supported the war in Iraq...JM: I've always said that things were going to fail if you don't leave some troops on the ground. I've always maintained that, if we didn't do against Vladimir Putin and assist the Ukrainians, he would advance from the South and consolidate control in Eastern Ukraine. I was right on all fronts, they don't ...IK: and the war in Iraq in 2003 was a mistake?JM: when you voted the war in Iraq, the American Secretary of State was the United Nations Security Council, and the u.s. Congress, asserting that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. I believed in that information. More still: when Bush was in Office, told him he had to dismiss the Secretary of Defense, that the strategy was a failure, that the troops on the ground had to be strengthened. The strengthening happened, the situation stabilized. According to the former Secretaries of Defense, Robert Gates, and Leon Panetta, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, we should have left forces on the ground. The President wanted to leave, that was your perspective...IK: But the Iraqi Government also didn't want ...JM: the Iraqis want us there. I had a face-to-face meeting with Nouri al-Maliki and he told me they were going to be held in the country's military. How many? We even told them how many or what kind of mission would be. they wanted to leave. Once again: people believe whoever they want, but for me the most credible figures of the United States â€" Ryan Crocker, Leon Panetta and Robert Gates-all of them defended the maintenance of residual American forces in Iraq. If you don't want to believe them, it's up to you. But I predicted what was going to happen. And also I leave here another prediction: If we don't leave some troops in Afghanistan, we will end up with the same situation. Have the Group Islamic State to occupy the largest portion of territory ever controlled by a terrorist group â€" the richest, the most powerful. And we don't have any strategy. IK: their strategy would be troops on the ground, with the United States to lead a military intervention. JM: No. Would give weapons directly to the peshmerga. A no-fly zone in Syria. Equip the army Free of Syria. More air traffic control on the ground and special forces in Iraq to enforce this goal. Dramatically increase air operations. There have been quite a few air strikes.IK: there's a military side, but there is also an ideological side. There is an ongoing ideological battle and the Group Islamic State is increasingly popular. A military intervention would lead to the consolidation of the movement. How do you beat ideologically?JM: When the troops were reinforced, we could have managed to stabilize the situation. At the time, there was no Islamic State group. There were some remnants of al-Qaeda. We warned that this would happen if there was a withdrawal. We saw the Islamic State develop. it was obvious. The President may have been surprised, may have surprised many people. But we were warned. They must be defeated militarily. At the same time, we must establish a consistent response to economic, political and ideological level. But first we have to win in the military field.IK: The young men and women, they're not going to go to these countries to fight the jihad?JM: If you have the notion that will surely on their way to death, no doubt. If they effectively are going to die, let go. The reason why the extremists have been able to seduce is because they're winning. That's why I can bring them. Hence there is an extremist organization of Egypt to swear loyalty to them, because they want to be on the winning side. They have to be defeated.IK: Have we addressed the question of Ukraine. Stated that the Ukrainian army should receive weaponry. Wouldn't it be risky? We don't know what are the intentions of Putin. This could constitute a declaration of war. JM: what is that Vladimir Putin is doing right now? The Russians occupied the Crimea, consolidated their positions in Eastern Ukraine, they mobilize more tanks and weaponry for the Ukraine. Already butchered more than 4 thousand Ukrainian soldiers. Is worried about the possibility of Vladimir Putin feel provoked? Are you kidding me. Look at what he's doing. He's the one to win. For the first time since the second world war, a European parents is being dismembered and we don't even give them guns to defend themselves. Just listen to the 300 thousand people from Maidan, who protested in icy cold because they don't want to be part of Russia, they don't want to watch the dismemberment of their country. They deserve our help by supplying weapons. Think not because it can contradict Putin...IK: don't worry about the possibility of an all-out war with Russia?JM: as far as I know, this possibility does not exist. I don't see how that would be possible. But don't you think it would be nice if these people, whose land has been invaded, could have access to guns to defend themselves? This is the tradition of the United States, to help people who struggle against intrusions and attacks. It may not be your perspective, but is the United States.IK: another question that sent us: "politics aside, what do you think of Vladimir Putin personally?"JM: it is what it is is a former KGB officer, of the Communist system, which wants to restore the Russian Empire and employing terms such as New Russia. There is no doubt about who he is. By the way, I have been sanctioned for it, I'm proud of that. Why do you have to complicate what he is?IK: George w. Bush said he could see Putin's soul and that, deep down, he was trustworthy and honest.JM: and you know what I said back then? I could see three letters: K-G-b.IK: what is your position on sanctions?JM: sanctions are positive. But if I were in place of Vladimir Putin and had to pay this price for occupying the Crimea, Eastern Ukraine, for intimidating other Eastern European countries such as Hungary, I would say that, in the end, I'm not doing anything wrong. Now the higher price that Putin is paying is oil and this has nothing to do with sanctions. The sanctions have had a minimal impact. Europeans won't launch truly effective measures while they are dependent on Russian energy.IK: came to describe the European sanctions as a joke. Maintains this position? JM: Yes, keep. Somebody tell me what was really done ...IK: what you have to say to Europe's leaders?JM: I'd like to see Europeans through NATO to supply arms to the Ukrainians, to defend the Russian aggression. Putin controls the Eastern Ukraine. In the last days mobilized more tanks and weaponry to the Ukraine; He prepares to take Mariupol, to create a land bridge to the Crimea. Then consider whether you will cost too high a price advance for Moldova. Is the typical behavior of the cold war.IK: Believes that the purpose is to restore power in the former Eastern European bloc?JM: he intends to restore the Russian Empire. He doesn't see the countries as a bloc, see the Russian Empire, the new Russia that he both speaks. Why we don't believe it's true?IK: Let's talk now other pressing matters. The Palestinian question... The different American Governments have been trying to promote a peace plan, but it seems that it's always a goal unreachable... JM: there are several reasons for this and some of them have to do with other issues that overlapped. When we look at the Group Islamic State, when we look at Muslim extremism. All this has an influence on the Palestinian question. Part of the problem is that Hamas is still in Gaza, committed to destroying Israel and, from time to time, we have seen outbreaks of violence. I'm glad that there is the anti-aircraft defense system Iron Dome, otherwise it would be a bloodbath in Israel. It is obvious that both parties have responsibilities. But we have to keep trying.IK: the Palestinian State â€" some European countries recognize Palestine. What do you think about this?JM: This never will undoubtedly be the policy of the United States.IK: Let's talk about Iran. We received another question that consists of the following: "I wonder if American politicians have notion of exercising pressure on the Iranian people. I would like to get an honest answer. "JM: I'm usually honest in their responses. Iranians have a long record in regards to hide its nuclear capacity. They continue to try to develop warheads and missiles to build nuclear weapons. And we are on the verge of a very bad outcome. However, Iran is destabilizing Yemen, is supporting Hezbollah, ordering them to move into Syria to kill the Syrians. They are responsible for attacks on American targets, remember the USS Cole. They are trying to expand influence in the region in countries such as Bahrain, among others. Our goal should not be to try to postpone the nuclear capability, but prevent you can acquire or develop nuclear weapons. The scenario that we are witnessing can be a very negative outcome.IK: the world of politics requires a lot of resilience. He was a prisoner of war for five and a half years in Vietnam. Considers that experience helps him somehow when things become difficult in the Senate?JM: Yes, I have a lot of memories ... I watched thousands of moments of courage and kindness, which involved me and other prisoners. I look back and I think it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life, because those who know best, like most, are precisely those that were lucky enough or unlucky enough to be with me during this period so difficult. I was a professional military and this is one of the risks we take when we serve our country.IK: we end with a final question of our participating in social networks. It's something philosophically: "the American dream still exists and, if so, how the sets?"JM: I think that the American dream still exists and, in the long term, I'm very confident that we will be able to be energy-independent, we're going to create more jobs, the economy will recover. There is a great patriotic feelings. Fantastic boys of new generations who are occupying prominent places in the United States. So, overall, I'm optimistic about this country and our role in the world. Right now, I'm really embarrassed because we are witnessing the massacre of 200 thousand Syrians.
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