The Daily Background

The Bush Administration took a step toward real diplomacy with Iran, but it is only a baby step. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says that the U.S. will talk directly with Iran if it puts all of its nuclear activities on hold (this is not expected to happen). Even Administration officials are admitting that it is not a very large step toward real diplomacy instead of indirect threats. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow “said the initiative did not amount to a new approach” according to the New York Times. They continue:

Pressure has been building on the administration to accept some sort of contact, as American and Europeans have struggled in recent weeks to find an approach that would win agreement from Russia and China, which are wary of imposing sanctions. European officials have said that Iran is more likely to be persuaded by any security guarantees included in the package if the United States is involved in the negotiations.

I maintain that the White House needs to exercise real and unconditional diplomacy toward Iran. Not just diplomacy if they do this or that, or meet this requirement or that one. Making threats about using military force is not real diplomacy, as the White House seems to think.

If the White House really wants to solve the situation diplomatically, it should talk to Iran on a one-on-one basis, or at least join trinational negotiations with mutual ally India, which has offered to act as a mediator if the U.S. consented to such talks. Iran would also be willing to participate in such talks.

Filed under: Iran Related, Z-TDB Blog