Posted on 09/11/2006 11:29:36 PM PDT by BlackVeil
WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signaled Monday that a temporary suspension of Iran's nuclear programs might be enough to pave the way for the first direct negotiations involving the United States and Iran in more than a quarter-century.
Speaking to reporters as she flew to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rice said Iran needs to suspend uranium enrichment activities before talks can begin, but she did not rule out something less than a permanent suspension. In talks over the weekend between Iranian and European officials, the chief Iranian negotiator offered a two-month freeze at the start of the talks.
"The point is, there would have to be a suspension," Rice said when asked about Iran's proposal. "If there is a suspension, we can have discussions, but there has to be a suspension. As far as I know, the Iranians have not yet said that they would suspend prior to negotiations."
Rice said she has not "heard any Iranian offer, so I don't know what to make of that," adding: "But the question is: Are they prepared to suspend, verifiably, so that negotiations can begin? That's the issue."
Rice's comments came after positive meetings between European and Iranian officials. Two days of talks in Vienna between Ali Larijani, Iran's top nuclear negotiator, and Javier Solana of the European Union went well, and both sides said they will meet again Thursday.
But all this is feeding into an international mood of optimism - the oil price dropping off.
Earth to Condoleeza--they are playing you for a sucker.
A suspension, verifiable or not, does not really mean much. But Iran is playing every card - and making progress on their aims - or so it seems.
I know I sound like an alarmist, but I think that the present lull will not last, and there will be a big melt down, with major military events, by early next year.
Or maybe not, and Iran might negotiate everything they want. Who knows?
Have we learned nothing from history?
We'll ease our stand if Iran gives up being the bad guy.
Just a fig leaf. We have to go through the process of B.S.
before the real solution.
It's called boxing them in with their own bullshit.
Nope! Not in this matter, or in any other.
Indeed we have. That's why diplomacy comes before any aggression. That's how civilized powers act.
The longer we wait, the more interesting the military, political and economic scenarios will be.
I suspect that the real game is these negotiations between Iran and the Europeans. The recent outcome in Lebanon is also contributing to their position. They are not in a weak position.
Condi is a puppet. Lets send a message to the higher ups.
(and yes I am a Dubya supporter)
Trust but verify. How do we know that they have suspended enrichment?
What is not being reported is that Iran has now completed the construction of five uranium bombs with highly enriched uranium from Pakistan. Problem Iran has at the moment is delivery of the weapons which from what I have been told are quite heavy. (some of the details however I am unable to post at this time)
At the moment I am still awaiting more details - and will post them when I have more specifics.
My info is from both Pakistani and Iranian sources.
Is that photshopped? I am serious. Where on Earth would they ever be to get that picture together. I know or think I know that NK is part of UN so was it a forced diplomatic situation that Madiline Albright had to do this to show U.S. support for some sort of negotiations or something. I just hope that you write back and say it is photoshopped. What a job Secretary of State has to do...forced to celebrate with dictators. No wonder she left and so did Colin. I hope that Condi does not bail on us too.
I think we will keep things on ice with Iran until the Nov election. The main reason is to keep oil prices low. After that, all bets are off though.
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