During President Obama’s impromptu, sort of press conference with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, he came right out to say that The New York Times article on his letter to Russia “didn’t accurately characterize” what was sent to President Medvedev.
President Obama sent a secret letter to Russia’s president last month suggesting that he would back off deploying a new missile defense system in Eastern Europe if Moscow would help stop Iran from developing long-range weapons, American officials said Monday. [...]
Not quite, according to the President:
“What I said in the letter is what I have said publicly, which is that the missile defense that we have talked about deploying is directed toward, not Russia, but Iran,” he said.
“And what I said … was that, obviously, to the extent that we are lessening Iran’s commitment to nuclear weapons, then that reduces the pressure for, or the need for a missile defense system.”
For her part, Secretary Clinton walked in rhetorical lock step with President Obama:
“What we have said specifically in regard to missile defence in Europe is that it has always been intended to deter any missiles that might come from Iran,” Clinton said. “It remains our position. We have explained that to the Russians before.” …
Clinton declined to comment on the letter Obama sent to Russia.
Regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Clinton was as transparent and boldly honest in her response today as anyone on her level can be, a comment that reveals the actual capabilities anyone has of stopping Iran. The United States will “do all that we can” to stop Iran. In the end it will take real regional pressure, as well as restraint from the Israelis, though doubt remains as to whether that part of the equation will manifest, especially given the weight the Iranian issue now has in Israel.
One thing Clinton said yesterday after the Sharm el-Sheik conference I’d also like to mention, which also goes under the “transparent and boldly honest” heading, revealing Clinton’s commitment to communicate not only the President’s policies, but where they stand within her own commitment. Regarding working toward the equilibrium required to move forward in the Middle East, Clinton revealed the passion and purpose she brings to her position:
I feel passionately about this. This is something that is in my heart, not just in my portfolio. – Secretary Clinton
It’s a remarkable team we’ve got on the diplomatic front and we’re going to need every bit of wattage they’ve got.
Hillary is his employee….nothing more. She will never overstep her boundaries, even if she vehemently disagrees.
good grief!
“that reveals the actual capabilities anyone has of stopping Iran.”
then —
“will take real regional pressure, as well as restraint from the Israelis”
I found that extremely confusing, Taylor.
IF it becomes necessary to “stop Iran” (and I’m assuming you mean their development of a nuclear weapon) it will be many many years before life other than cockroaches live in the area we now call Iran – and it won’t be because Israel ‘restrained’ themselves.
Heaven forbid we should actually engage in dialog and give and take diplomaticly instead of making bomastic, arrogant pronouncments we can’t do squat to enforce!!!
That’s more like some of AnninCa’s heros from the torture in chief’s crime family would do.
Here’s a wild crazy thought…what if Sec of State Clinton said the same thing as President Obama because it was…GASP,,,TRUE!!! I realize we got used to being lied to about everything by the torturer in chief and his minions but a new day HAS dawned…ya know!
Audiegrl says:
03 March 2009 at 4:31 pm
Offensive trolling takes real effort, as does wanton disrespect.
Oh yeah right. The Israelis are going to nuke Iran because they might be thinking about trying to develope nuclear weapons. Even the most warmongering rightwingnut hardliner in Israel isn’t that stupid.
secular, your faith in the most extreme Israelis is commendable. I don’t share your faith.
I put this link in my Middle East post this morning, but I offer it again as it goes to secularh’s point to prove none of us should be sanguine about saneness, though we’re clearly a long way from the tipping point now:
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2009/03/israel_is_cross/
Now Israel has gone one better and is issuing instructions to the United States on what America’s red lines with Iran should be. The implication of course is that Israel will take matters into its own hands if these lines are crossed — whether America does or not.
Secular, please measure what the Israelis did to Gaza recently in retaliation for some pocket rockets shot into Israel (and yes, even pocket rockets can kill someone). Then tell me what they would do with the nuclear weapons we all know they have – if Iran were to manage a small test explosion that was nuclear.
Use your head, man.
There are wingnuts in all countries and I will never ever trust any of them. A few are just as dangerous as many, maybe even more so. There are also those for peace too so we have to hope that the those who are for peace win out.
AnninCA says:
03 March 2009 at 4:29 pm
Hillary is his employee….nothing more. She will never overstep her boundaries, even if she vehemently disagrees.
Ann, the President, of course, has the final say, but it isn’t without heavy input from Hillary, and Joe Biden, for that matter. They had a meeting together, the 3 of them, last Thursday (on the State Dept. website), before the Middle East trip. I think they are a very strong team and are not people that shy away from a challenge. We should be glad for that because facilitating the peace process is a huge challenge that is complex and full of obstacles.
JaneAusten, as depressing as it may be – you speak of what I describe as “Intelligence is always self-canceling”. Eventually technology reaches such power that one person can cancel us all (weapon? virus? chemical?).
Then all it takes is one nut.
We’re quickly approaching that level.
Taylor Marsh says:
03 March 2009 at 4:47 pm
Offensive trolling takes real effort, as does wanton disrespect.
Taylor, my comments were directed at AnninCA, for calling Hillary just an “employee and nothing more”.
That is what my ‘good grief’ was about.
I see AnninCA is trying to make Hillary out to be some mindless idiot who has no opinions on what she is doing. Hillary is very much on the same page as Obama which is one of the reasons she accepted the position of SOS. They confer, come to consensus and then walk in lock step as well as they should. I certainly would not want a SOS who did her own thing regardless of what the POTUS had in mind. That would be foolhardy and send mixed messages. So please stop pitching this arguement. It’s becoming redundant.
last note for secularh (then back to work):
Sec, the thing you may find most depressing about Israel actually nuking Iran into oblivion? – might be the HUGE percentage of people in *this* country who would respond, “Hey. They have the right to defend themselves.”
Your protests (though if over, you probably wouldn’t bother) wouldn’t find too many takers.
I know, AG. That description was of Ms. AnninCA.
Taylor – if you can, PLEASE do a giant Ridicule of McCain’s childish temper tantrum and claims of ‘This is all Obama’s fault’ over this damned bill from last year. You might include how much of that ‘Pork’ is going to the two Republicans from MS.
Stop Iran from doing what? Is there some recently unearthed evidence (by “recently”, I mean in the last month or so) that Iran has resumed its nuclear weapons program?
It was only a few months ago that a CIA report was released indicating Iran had dropped that program years ago. As for refining reactor fuel, they have every right to refine it under the NPT. We have enough problems in that part of the world without multiplying them.