Sens. Feinstein, Bond on 'FNS'

" And hello again from Fox News in Washington. With -- developments this week from a -- to Afghanistan to Homeland Security. We're joined by the later -- of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The chairman Dianne Feinstein and vice chair Christopher bond of senators welcome back to FOX News Sunday. Let's start with Iran and the disclosure that it has been building a secret nuclear enrichment facility let me start -- senator Feinstein. How strong is the evidence that this is to provide fuel for a bomb and how sure -- we that there aren't other secret facilities in Iran."

" Well the evidence is strong that there was that there is such -- facility. That it it's capable of about 3000. To various. Oh what's the word -- centrifuges. -- We don't know that it's going for. In -- to. HEU. Precisely highly inaccurate -- but we've known it's been there. I think what the three. Countries have done the United States United Kingdom France is. A very straightforward. Charge to Iran to sit down this next week. To be open to negotiate a solution and to do -- And I think this is the moment of decision. For Iran. Iran can either make itself a pariah. Or it can recognize that it has much more to gain. By eliminating any potential military aspects of a nuclear program. And seeing that all peaceful aspects of a nuclear program are carefully inspected. And supervise."

" A follow up on that -- with -- senator bond because just this morning Iranians had test fired two short range missiles which seems to be another provocation. Now the US as senator Feinstein said the US and our allies are gonna meet with the Iranians Thursday. Good Friday. Got them to stop their nuclear program or face economic sanctions how confident are you. That even if we can't get the Russians and the Chinese on board for sanctions. That the Iranians will stand down but they'll stop their nuclear problem especially in light of this new provocation."

" First -- we have seen now Iran three times. Lied to us about what they were doing. That cotton -- faced lies now the facility they've set up potentially. Could be for peaceful purposes but why was it so heavily guard -- why was -- surrounded. By the a -- a -- in Republican guard. Oh why did they deny its existence. Today's action in firing the missiles is really a poke in the guide to those who think. That diplomatic efforts in agreements and inspections are going to change. The way that Iran is going. I think as -- show me state senator they've shown us enough. -- much of it through speeches by men and -- Dodd saying we're gonna wipe Israel off the face of the earth. He has. Launch the missiles to show. That they are taking series of cellular thank you don't think sanctions are gonna work all I think sanctions we have to have sanctions and we have to have sanctions strong sanctions. Economic sanctions that can force. Either regime change or. The Ayatollah is to change your policy. I'm cosponsor of measured by. Senator Lieberman -- the power to the president to impose sanctions on company. -- taking. -- petroleum to Iran that's something we can do along with that. Treasury sanctions but we need Russia and China real question whether they will actually go along."

" That McNamee. Take this another way senator Feinstein Defense Secretary gates. Says that even if we launched a military strike he thinks it would only by -- one. To three more years by us a little more time but only a couple appear -- if Iran is determined to continue its nuclear program do you share. Secretary Gates's pessimism about the effectiveness of military action."

" I do we have been told that specifically. And I think you can slow it down. Where the you can stop that are not entirely. I think is unknown. It's these facilities are in several different places. A summer hardened underground in tunnels. You'd have to have a ground operation as well as some military operation. And that's very difficult to do. It would mean an attack troops on the ground in addition yes to an error I was -- some of them to. Really penetrate them. It's so that that's not to say. That -- nation can't try to stop but it is to say. That is a much better alternative to sit down and negotiate. There there's nothing positive. For Iran becoming a military nuclear power. For any country in the world it becomes a major pariah a major threat. And I think in the Middle East and it creates -- enormous and potentially catastrophic consequence."

" He currently -- I would agree with that and I think -- the election riots in the continuing unrest in Iran -- There is significant body -- Iranian people don't like the direction. That they're going and that's why I think that strong economic sanctions which have to be applied. By the world community not just us we can make an impact are the best way to go nobody wants to see. To use military power. But as soon as senator Feinstein said a nuclear armed. Iran would be a disaster for the world."

" Let's turn to Afghanistan where we learned this week that the presidents. President Obama's commander on the ground general the crystal. Is warning that if he doesn't get more troops our mission there will likely result in failure but the White House is saying not so fast I'm gonna take you both senators. Back to six months ago today. When the president made this announcement."

" But today I'm announcing a comprehensive new strategy for Afghanistan and -- We have a clear and focused goal to disrupt. Dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda. In Pakistan and Afghanistan."

" Senator bond now just six months later President Obama says he wants another strategy review. At least we we learned today from the National Security Adviser at least five meetings over several weeks no deadline. And that in the end he may reject his commanders urgent request. Senator bond -- not being flexible are being indecisive."

" I'm afraid it's being indecisive. I supported des -- bolivars strongly when he came out six months ago and when he gave general -- charge. Do it to launch a full blown. Counterinsurgency strategy like the one we. Launch finally launch successfully under General Petraeus in Iraq it brought us to the progress we've seen. -- right now and Elaine troops as general -- Iraq I spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon reading his assessment. Which is very thorough he lays out the fact that we need resource -- troops now because the next nine to twelve months will be decisive. We are not going to get the Afghan national security forces built up in that time we need to move their training forward I we have to have -- That's different you is that what you believe the president -- I am afraid that for some reason. He is he -- he has -- the answer. That he asked the question he asked of general -- is here it is clear it is in great detail. Outlines a full range of things. Why we need troops we need troops now and if he said if we fail to provide that assistance now it will be too late."

" Senator Feinstein I want to play a clip from secretary of state Clinton. This week where she was asked about and discussed senator or -- general of crystals requests -- our troops here and it's."

" There are other assessments from you know very expert military. Analysts who have working counter insurgencies. There -- the exact opposite."

" Now we're talking about the president's commander on the ground whom he'd personally assigned to this mission. Six years ago should he just be one of a group of analysts of the the president consults in the strategy review."

" No of course not and he isn't he has submitted. A full blown counterinsurgency. Structure. Strategy tactics. I've read it to. To me it's a ten year plan. I think the president is correct to take his time to really examine what the alternatives are at this time true. The Afghanistan. Strategy so far has not gone well. True. IB. About 13. Afghanis are now living under some form of column on control that is untenable. True there is some nexus between al-Qaeda. And that column on. True. That represents a threat to the homeland of the United States and therefore creates a mission that's important for the United States. Also true. That you have a central government which is on reliable. And not and not very competent in Afghanistan. I and I'll just leave it at that now the question comes is there an alternative. To this long term comprehensive. Full blown cat owner instead insurgency. Strategy which he has laid out. I hope the areas. Because I do not believe the American people want to be in Afghanistan. For the next ten years effectively. Nation building building schools building a government."

" Let -- money they picked up on this I know this is something that you feel very strongly about senator should general -- be called to testify before congress. Work shouldn't wait until after the strategy review which is what secretary of defense gates says."

" We've waited too many months now and he said it is absolutely critical. I think the general -- crystal has presented a viewpoint that has been thoroughly discussed among all of the people who are on the ground and know what's happening. I believe based on all I've learned in all I've heard anything short. Fully -- sourcing. Counterinsurgency. Strategy with the additional troops a change in philosophy. A change. The focus on the local areas the problem I have him at justify what you civilian leadership hasn't decided what Canada because we're part of that process as well and I think the American people. Deserve to know in a little bit shorter form what he is set. There are there are opponents on the outside who say we can do something different. But let me tell you this from everything I've heard everything on -- Short of by the full blown strategy that crystal is out. We tried just shooting it shooting -- terrorists -- going back to the camp. Then that -- bond we'll come back over the border from Pakistan. They will bring with him their friends in al-Qaeda and they will reestablish Taliban control of Afghanistan which is a disaster."

" For -- a -- wanna move on to something else but I just have to ask you to respond quickly do you think that senator -- the gentleman Kristol should testify. Before the president has made up --"

" I think it's always useful we hear different points of view I don't have a problem with that but look the president is the commander in chief. He should take his time and do the right thing here what ever that may be. I do not believe. You know the election in Afghanistan has not been concluded. How it ends. The strength of the central government -- that's very important to the mission. And you know if Karzai doesn't shape up their lot of people have questions as to whether anything can really be a success."

" Let let me move on that there have been at least three separate terror attacks that have been uncovered here in the US in just the last week. Now several provisions in the Patriot Act are set to expire at the end of the year senator bond is this any time to take. Weapons away from our agencies that are protecting the home."

" Clearly it's not and the weapons that are under the should be tools that are under discussion. Are vitally important tools in discovering and and and exposing an attacking. These terrorist acts and you didn't had the one of the North Carolina people who were planning. Two attack -- so there really have been there for that shows the the existence of American citizens who've been trained in Pakistan. Who are threatening our country and the tools in the Patriot Act the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that I worked on the last couple years. Are absolutely critical tools now we must have them we can't -- and down with any more delaying. Procedures."

" We've got about a minute left senator find someone -- one other thing into the -- the White House is now acknowledging they almost certainly are not gonna meet their deadline by next January for closing. The prison at Guantanamo and there is a story today that indicates they are close to making a decision. To send some of the detainees the 223 detainees. To locations here in the US. Will congress allow."

" Well as you know I'm one that believes very strongly Guantanamo should be closed. And I believe it can be done. I'm also one that's not somewhat familiar with prison structure in the United States. And I know that there are -- maximum security prisons from which no one escapes in the United States. Which are isolated from neighborhoods and no one. Is going to put these people in anyone's neighborhood. As some -- OK with having some of these detainees in California yes in -- maximum security prison I don't worry about it. Provided. The prison is set up to accommodate it and I believe we have facilities that are."

" Senator bond you get the last word. I on this -- 11 of the areas in which senator Feinstein and I disagree I think. Guantanamo. Is the best place to hold these these hardened criminals we don't want to put them in -- general. Prison population where they have and will radicalize other prisoners they will draw their friends and al-Qaeda. Too coming into the area from the outside. I wouldn't mind seeing them now contrast that my California friends have minimum amount of high enthusiasm for that but if they're sick they're transferred to the federal Springfield -- of medical facility in my state and my constituents and I think that would be a very bad idea senator Feinstein senator bond I -- thank you both so much for coming in discussing these very important issues with us. Please come back both thank you very much -- staffs will be back thank our friends well don't let -- today. Up next Republican."