Bush administration debates talking to Iran
Iran-USA, Politics, 5/27/2006

White House spokesman Tony Snow Thursday said that he was sure visiting UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush were "sure" to discuss incentives for Iran "about the EU3, and also other extended conversations with the Russians, the Chinese, trying to draw them into it, as well. The Prime Minister, I think, has said that -- earlier today, that -- I don't want to paraphrase, but essentially he didn't want a showdown with Iran, he wants to find a diplomatic path to this. And I think the United States does, as well. We want to find a diplomatic way to ensure that Iran suspend all enrichment and reprocessing of uranium. We also have concerns about human rights and democracy. The Secretary of State was very strong about that. So yes, they're going to try to figure out how to get the job done, and to try to do it through diplomatic means." Snow had added Thursday "we don't have formal diplomatic ties with Iran. The President has worked through appropriate international forums; he's going to continue to do that. The message is clear: There are certain things that Iran has to do, period. And that's the American position, that hasn't changed."

The US Department Of State spokesman said yesterday when asked if the US is expecting to put the issue before the Security Council at some point. Spoken Sean McCormack said "it depends on the Iranians' answer. If they choose the pathway of negotiation, then, you know, then you proceed in negotiations. If not, then you start proceeding down the road of the Security Council." Asked if this means a deadline is expected, McCormack said "I would expect that, you know, again, you have to go through the steps here, you have to come to agreement on the package, you have to present that to the Iranians. And then I would expect there would be some time where they would have the opportunity to consider their options here. I don't have a particular timetable for you right now. I think that's something that the political directors as well as the ministers will be talking about. But you know, we have to get -- finish work on the package first."

Yesterday, The New York Times said that US President George W. Bush administration is beginning to debate holding direct talks with Iran reporting that "European officials who have been in contact with the White House in recent weeks described the Bush administration as intensifying its discussions on the issue."

The New York Times cited European officials saying that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had begun discussing the issue with top aides at the State Department saying "Her belief, they say, is that ultimately the matter will have to be addressed by the administration's national security officials, whether talks with Iran remain at an impasse or even if there is some progress. But others who know her well say she is resisting on the ground that signaling a willingness to talk would show weakness and disrupt the delicate negotiations with Europe."

The report said Rice is also said to fear that the administration might end up making too many concessions to Iran, said the paper. "Administration officials said President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld have opposed direct talks, even through informal back channels." Iranian ambassador to the United Nations Mohammad Javad Zarif has said Tehran has to be part of any solution to the nuclear issue.

In an interview with CNN on Thursday published a day later, the ambassador said "If there is to be a solution to the Iran nuclear issue, Iran has to be part of that solution." "We don't expect others to cook something for us and then tell us "Eat it or else." This is not the way Iranians do international business," said the ambassador.

He said that if Washington "drops its intimidation tactics," then Tehran will work directly with it on a solution that is "easily attainable." His remarks came amid pleas by the Atomic Energy Agency for Iran to continue talks with the Europeans on their offer to Iran of incentives in exchange for ending its nuclear enrichment program.

"Washington must acknowledge that Iran has a right to nuclear technology under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," Zarif stressed.

He said the United States could move further in efforts to end the standoff if it were to "ban its pressure, intimidation tactics" and talk with the country directly rather than through representatives of Europe or the United Nations." "There is a solution to the situation and the solution is easily attainable provided you look for it," said the ambassador.

As for the package of incentives for Iran, he said it adopts the "carrot-and-stick" approach which, he said, is not the way to proceed with negotiations.

"The question is not whether Iran likes carrots," Zarif said adding "Iran calls for respect." Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad in a meeting with the new Sri Lankan ambassador to Tehran, Muhammad Zuhair, said today that Iran is determined to pursue its rights to access nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Previous Stories:
  US and Europeans working on incentives for Iran to drop its rights   (5/25/2006)
  Ahmadi-Nejad: Iran to respond harshly to mere ideas of aggression   (5/24/2006)
  US military and financial pressure on Iran   (5/22/2006)
  Iraqi PM: Iraq not for threatening Iran   (5/12/2006)
  US senators call for direct talks with Iran   (4/19/2006)

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