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Bush administration debates direct talks with Iran
New York (AFP) May 27, 2006 The administration of President George W. Bush is beginning to debate whether to set aside a longstanding boycott of Iran and open direct talks to try to resolve the crisis over its suspected nuclear weapons program, The New York Times reported Saturday. European officials who have been in contact with the administration in recent weeks described the Bush administration as intensifying its discussions on the issue, the newspaper said. European leaders who have conducted lengthy, and so far fruitless, negotiations with Iran have made no secret of their desire for Washington to join in the talks. But since the Iranian revolution of 1979 and the crisis over the seizure of American hostages in November that year, the United States has avoided direct talks with Iran. The paper cited European officials as saying that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had begun discussing the issue with top aides at the State Department. 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, The Times said. 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, the paper pointed out. Administration officials said President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld have opposed direct talks, even through informal back channels, The Times reported. As a result, many European officials say they doubt that a decision to talk is likely soon, according to the report. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
US, allies hold WMD-seizing drills in Mediterranean
Mediterranean, Turkey (AFP) May 26, 2006 Air and naval forces from the United States, Turkey, France and Portugal "seized" a ship carrying mock weapons of mass destruction in drills Friday which Turkey has denied are aimed at neighboring Iran. |
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