Posted on 01/18/2007 7:49:16 PM PST by jdm
London - An Iranian offer to help the United States stabilize Iraq and end its military support for Hezbollah and Hamas was rejected by Vice President Dick Cheney in 2003, a former top State Department official told the British Broadcasting Corp.
The U.S. State Department was open to the offer, which came in an unsigned letter sent shortly after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Lawrence Wilkerson, former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff, told the BBC in a program that aired Wednesday night. But Wilkerson said Cheney vetoed the deal.
"We thought it was a very propitious moment" to strike a deal, Wilkerson said. "But as soon as it got to the White House, and as soon as it got to the vice president's office, the old mantra of 'We don't talk to evil' ... reasserted itself."
A spokesman for the State Department said Thursday that he wasn't aware of the letter. "Far as I know, there's never been an offer from the Iranian government on those kinds of concerns," said Tom Casey.
Wilkerson said that in return for its cooperation, Tehran asked Washington to lift sanctions and to dismantle an Iranian opposition group that has bases in Iraq.
Iran also offered to increase the transparency of its nuclear program, he said.
Its all Cheneys fault ...and all this time I thought it was Bush's fault
The next thing ya know it will be Karl Rove's
from Larry Wilkerson, you can pretty much guarantee it.
Unsigned letter? I can't imagine Cheney not responding to an unsigned letter! ROFL
nice meter, great reading. what a bunch of hoooey.
That's because it is.
These people are totally clueless if they believed Iran's offer of help was anything more than a ploy to get more power and influence in Iraq - and further infiltrate the Iranian troops into Iraq.
Proving once again that Powell was also clueless.
You two both said exactly what I was going to say.
When good negotiates with evil, evil wins.
It doesn't sound like BS to me... just a good move on Cheney's part.
What is with this Wilkerson guy? Is there anything he won't do to screw the Bush Administration?
Any offer from Iran was/is crappola. Period.
There must be a lot of bitterness among the ex-Powell crowd as evidenced by the regular efforts to sabatoge the current administration. The whole bunch is nothing but a bunch of liberals with (R) after their names.
And, IMO, 98% of career State Department officials and bureaucrats are appeasing liberals.
I never figured out why Powell even registered as a Republican.
Let's see....
They invade your soverign terrority (US Embassy).
They take your people hostage for over a year.
They pay for the bombing of your Marines in Beirut.
They support the Herzbollah and increased hostilities.
They provide Iraqi Shias with advanced IEDs.
What is talking going to accomplish with people who are at WAR WITH US?!
Sure. "I'm from Iran, and I'm here to help."
Why are we spending good money building targets for the military to use for pratice when we have the State department just sitting there.
"There must be a lot of bitterness among the ex-Powell crowd as evidenced by the regular efforts to sabatoge the current administration."
As far as I can tell, all of it comes from this Lawrence Wilkerson guy. I wouldn't be too hasty to blame Powell or any of his associates for Wilkerson's actions. Wilkerson seems like somebody with a real axe to grind.
Powell is the MOST passive aggressive SOB i have ever seen!ha.
The guy gets mad and then takes these stupid pot shots cause he hasn't been able to really go anywhere with his career politically. What a baby...and for a general yet....he must be P...whipped at home!
Iran offer: " We will help you. Leave us alone with our NUkes...ok?
Colin Powell said that would be ok. Huh, Cheny...Huh?
Yeah, right.
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