–updated–
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO_lLttxxrs
President Barack Obama’s administration will engage in “direct diplomacy” with Iran, the newly installed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Monday.
Not since before the 1979 Iranian revolution are U.S. officials believed to have conducted wide-ranging direct diplomacy with Iranian officials. But U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice warned that Iran must meet U.N. Security Council demands to suspend uranium enrichment before any talks on its nuclear program.
[...] We look forward to engaging in vigorous diplomacy that includes direct diplomacy with Iran, as well as continued collaboration and partnership” with the other four permanent members of the Security Council, Britain, China, France and Russia, plus Germany, Rice said. “And we will look at what is necessary and appropriate with respect to maintaining pressure toward that goal of ending Iran’s nuclear program,” she said.
UPDATE: Transcript of President Obama’s interview on Al Arabiya. Some highlights: engage early on the Middle East (responding to a question re: Mitchell); start by listening, not dictating; Israelis or the Palestinians are “going to have to make some decisions”; Palestinian-Israeli conflict requires thinking in “terms of what’s happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan.” He is going to keep to his promise to “address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital,” and he walked away from the “war on terror” talking point purposefully, yet again. Obama stressed the importance of talking to Iran: “…if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.”
“…These things are interrelated. And what I’ve said, and I think Hillary Clinton has expressed this in her confirmation, is that if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress. – President Barack Obama
On CNN they were talking about how well President Obama’s interview on the Arab speaking television network went very well and signaled a sea change in American/Muslim relations.
When President Obama talked about change I envisioned the diplomatic approach to the problems facing the world. I’m tired of brute force and trying to force democracy on other countries at the point of a gun. I hope he continues to go this route regardless of what the wingnuts come up with. I’m tired of living in fear and being told to beware of the “big bad wolf.” It’s time to broaden our outlook on what ails the world.
BTW – my computer system had a major crash. My husband has been working on it since 3 am when I woke him up because I couldn’t read Taylor Marsh.
the cynical side of me says that somehow this interview will get a negative spin from the usual suspects. I haven’t checked Fox News yet.
GeoT, The fringe element has already started by claiming that he has dished Hillary by not allowing her to conduct the interview. They are also saying that he is waving the white flag and giving in to the terrorists and making America look week in the eyes of the Arab world.
angels81 | 01.27.2009 – 10:14 am | #
The Republicans want the American people fearful; this way they can hold us captive to whatever they want to do. People paralyzed with fear are easy to manipulate.
In the words of Benjamin Franklin: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
In the words of Benjamin Franklin: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a
little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Jane Austen | 01.27.2009 – 10:32 am | #
that’s a great quote
GeoT, The fringe element has already started by claiming that he has dished Hillary by not
allowing her to conduct the interview. They are also saying that he is waving the white flag
and giving in to the terrorists and making America look week in the eyes of the Arab world.
angels81 | 01.27.2009 – 10:14 am | #
of course the opposite is true, he was teeing it up for Hillary who can now enter from a position of strength. Obama does have a unique angle to neutralize Al Qaeda and challenge the Muslim world to reject the tactics of terrorism.
Jane Austen | 01.27.2009 – 08:31 am | #
They’re also hell bent on sending a We Are A Team message, GeoT. No daylight, that’s the code.
*Hillary’s 1st press conference…shortly*
since 3 am when
I woke him up because I couldn’t read Taylor Marsh.
Jane Austen | 01.27.2009 – 08:31 am | #
that’s a job for the “Geek Squad” :=)
To show respect in the Muslim world is very important. Obama understands this, and by doing this interview he shows respect and at the same time gets the message across that America is not the enemy, but will also remain strong against its enemy,s.
This is also where the President’s biography comes into play. I believe it will be a powerful connecting tool with everyday Arabs. I thought his interview was perfect.
of course the opposite is true, he was teeing it up for Hillary who can now enter from a
position of strength. Obama does have a unique angle to neutralize Al Qaeda and challenge the
Muslim world to reject the tactics of terrorism.
GeoT
GeoT,
Your problem is that you are thinking this through and using logical arguments. The president is the Head of State and the SOS is the president’s highest representative. Like you said, it makes sense for Obama to make an overture like this. It sets the tone for Clinton, Mitchell, et. al.
If you are a practiced wingnut pundit you don’t worry about such things. Everything is seen as pure posturing, since that is what Bush/Cheney did for the last 8 years. Diplomacy was something to be sneered at.
My God, I can’t imagine if McCain had won. Who would be SOS, Joe Lieberman or Lindsay Graham! And Palin as VP? That would be almost have been funny if he sent her to the Middle East.
My God, I can’t imagine if McCain had won. Who would be SOS, Joe Lieberman or Lindsay
Graham! And Palin as VP? That would be almost have been funny if he sent her to the Middle
East.
DaveB | 01.27.2009 – 11:09 am | #
____________________________________________
Given the situation in Swat, I’m all for sending Sarah Palin THERE!