Iran crackdown 'shifted' prospects for U.S. talks, Clinton says
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/POLITICS/07/15/clinton.speech/art.clintonspeech.gi.jpg caption="Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers a foreign policy address Wednesday."]
CNN
Iran's crackdown on protests after its disputed presidential election has "shifted" its prospects for direct talks with the United States, but they remain on the table, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday.
The Obama administration has held open its offer of talks with Iran - which has not had diplomatic relations with Washington since 1980 - despite the clampdown on protesters in Tehran and other cities.
Clinton said that offer remains the "best vehicle" for engaging Tehran - but as President Obama said last week, she said it "will not remain indefinitely."
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Filed under: 360° Radar • Hillary Clinton |
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The unfortunate reality is that they ARE either with us or against us when it comes to the war or terror (now renamed 'the political discourse with people who want to kill us, but we can't say that anymore'). How many more innocent Iranians does this dictatorial theocracy need to slaughter before we realize that you can't deal with fanatics. It's been tried before (e.g. Chamberlain with Hitler) and doesn't work. People whine that we can't start another war, but we don't have to. There's an active opposition organization, and some of them would probably be willing to take it to the next level. Let's arm them covertly and let them cause the same chaos in Iran that Iran causes all over the Mideast by arming the likes of Hezbola, Hamas, etc. See if they like a dose of their own medicine. If they're fighting an internal insurrection against an armed populace, maybe they'll actually have an incentive to talk to us. Nice guys finish dead.
I totally agree that it is up to the Iranian people to change their form of government, and unfortunately it will be bloody, but it is up to them, not anyone else. As far as their nuclear ambitions, if everyone is so against it, then ALL need to come together, issue Iran an ultimatium that if they do not stop, the bombing will begin, from all, not just the U.
S.! Talking is an option, but not effective when you start forcing conditions.
Why does the Obama administration want to "negotiate" or "talk" with the Iranian government?? Don't they know you must not negotiate with terrorists? The Iranian government does not only look down on its own people, but looks down on U.S. leaders as well. If you ask me, the Obama administration is making us look weak and desparate. This sounds like Jimmy Carter Part 2. I truly feel sorry for the people of Iran who are fighting for their freedom... they need our help!
We need to try and not get involved with this 2.000 year old war with Iran just eight years of war has made our country poor just let God sort it out.
Diplomatic talks do seem to be the best way forward with Iran. Perhaps being treated as a country worthy to negotiate with and desirous of an open communication line will assuage what seem to be Iran's hope – to be treated as a legitimate government/state by other global countries.
Iran remains a very serious national and global security issue that should be all means have a great deal of attention. It is the purpose of the leadership of Iran to bring about the end of times and nuclear power is not far from their grip of radical belief.
The only question that should be on anyones lips when it comes to Iran and nuclear power is, who will be left to remember where you were, what you were doing, when it happened. When it really happened.
I think it is time for the Iranian people to stand up and tell their government: "HELL NO, WE WON'T GO!!!". The only way the people of Iran will have any chance of ever enjoying any freedoms that the United States of America enjoys is for the people to start an "INSURRECTION" – whether bloodless or not (I would prefer for the overthrouwing to occur witout a shot ever being fired) – and overthrow the current Iranian government. Then give the people the chance to hold a "TRUE DEMOCRATIC ELECTION" to decide the person who should run the country (and the Ayatolah should not have any say in this process), instead of the puppet government that is currently in place.