WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2009
U.S. Accepts Iran's Offer for Talks
In Reversal, Tehran Extends Invitation for Negotiations, Including on Nation's Nuclear Program
-
(AP / CBS)
-
Fast Facts Iran Learn about the people, economy and history.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said he welcomed talks with the U.S. and its partners, adding that "should conditions be ripe, there is a possibility of talks about the nuclear issue."
Mottaki's statement appeared to be a reversal of Iran's consistent refusal to discuss its nuclear program and a significant step up from its proposal earlier in the week when Tehran said it was willing to talk, but not about its nuclear ambitions.
On Friday, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters that although Iran's initial proposal for international talks presented on Wednesday was disappointing for sidestepping the nuclear issue, it represented a chance to begin a direct dialogue.
"We are seeking a meeting now based on the Iranian paper to see what Iran is prepared to do," Crowley said. "And then, as the president has said, you know, if Iran responds to our interest in a meeting, we'll see when that can occur. We hope that will occur as soon as possible."
Such a meeting could lessen immediate pressure on President Barack Obama to abandon his diplomatic outreach to Tehran, which has yet to yield concrete results. Mr. Obama said in July that Iran should show a willingness to negotiate limits on its nuclear program by September or face consequences.
Crowley stressed that the U.S. and its negotiating partners agree they must keep pressure on Iran while also seeking talks.
"Now we are willing to meet with Iran. We hope to meet with Iran," Crowley said. "We want to see serious engagement on the nuclear issue, in particular."
He added, "We are willing to address any other issues that they want to bring to the table. But, clearly, if Iran refuses to negotiate seriously, we - the United States and the international community and the Security Council - can draw conclusions from that. And then based on that, we'll make some judgments in the future."
In its proposal, Iran ignored a demand by the six world powers - the U.S., Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany - for a freeze of its uranium enrichment, which is suspected of leading to production of a nuclear weapon. Iran insists that its nuclear work is strictly for peaceful nonmilitary purposes.
Iran pronounced itself ready to "embark on comprehensive, all-encompassing and constructive negotiations."
On Monday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country will neither halt uranium enrichment nor negotiate over its nuclear rights but is ready to sit and talk with world powers over "global challenges."
The decision to take up Iran's offer was communicated publicly Friday in Brussels, Belgium, by Javier Solana, the European Union foreign policy chief who is an intermediary for the six powers. They represent the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.
Crowley said there is no assumption that new talks with Iran will be productive. But the proposal made Wednesday by the Iranian government indicated at least a new willingness to engage diplomatically, he said.
"There's language in the letter that simply says the government of Iran is willing to enter into dialogue," the spokesman said. "We are going to test that proposition, OK? And if Iran is willing to enter into serious negotiations, then they will find a willing participant in the United States and the other (partner) countries.
"If Iran dissembles in the future, as it has in the past, then we will draw conclusions from that," he said.
The Obama administration has expressed interest in discussing numerous other issues with Iran, including cooperation in stabilizing two Iranian neighbors - Afghanistan and Iraq - as well as alleged Iranian support for terrorist groups.
By AP National Security Writer Robert Burns
© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Add a Comment See all 31 Comments
- Imam Mahdi Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi(a.s) has already came in front of world, now the effort should be focus on how to recognize Imam Mahdi rather than when he will appear, when he will appear etc.
Thing is that there will be two powers Imam Mahdi/Jesus Christ and anti christ one should focus on recognition of Imam Mahdi and the only way to recognize Imam Mahdi is to purify inner-self.
For further information and details please visit http://www.theallfaith.com - Reply to this comment
- Imam Mahdi Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi(a.s) has already came in front of world, now the effort should be focus on how to recognize Imam Mahdi rather than when he will appear, when he will appear etc.
Thing is that there will be two powers Imam Mahdi/Jesus Christ and anti christ one should focus on recognition of Imam Mahdi and the only way to recognize Imam Mahdi is to purify inner-self.
For further information and details please visit http://www.theallfaith.com - Reply to this comment
- We have agreed to talk with Iran? Did AIPAC actually give the President permission to do this? Well, perhaps the final report of how the talks went has already been written.
- Reply to this comment
- I don't trust BO he will bow and scrape to these horrible people in Iran you watch he will tell them that the United States is sorry for something or another.
- Reply to this comment
- The problem with dealing with Iran, is Russia. The U.S. would like to
believe that the "cold war is over" except based on Missiles to Iran, and Venezuela, as well as a whole host of other insults and provocations
It is clearly business as usually for the Kremlin. Again, why are we
so reluctant to call them on their actions? Instead we reward them with
trade deals and technology deals, etc. The U.S. will not always be the
big dog on the block and at the first opportunity Russia will be at
our throats. Good going state department. - Reply to this comment
- By accepting Iran's offer to negotiate, we and the other nations have legitimized an illegal government and undercut the opposition.
- Reply to this comment
- Chavez: Venezuela to buy Russian missiles ...... ?We are not going to attack anybody,? ex-paratrooper tells supporters ..... Trust Me!
Chavez, who on Friday returned from a ten day-tour of Africa, Asia and Europe that included a visit to Russia, is also negotiating the purchase of 100 T-72 and T-90 tanks from Moscow. "I repeat we are not going to attack anybody - Trust Me"! - Reply to this comment
- It is good news that Iran pursues a diplomatic process and uses channels that the USA had previously closed.
It is better news that the USA finally did open the diplomatic channels, so diplomatic solutions can be finally pursued, as civil nations do.
I won't predict that either side accomplishes anything, but I do hope the dialogue becomes a healthier way for both countries to pursue diplomatic solutions.
I will predict that the first messages to flow through the pipeline will be the trashy rants and offensive rhetoric that has become stale on both sides, since diplomatic relations were broke by President Carter in 1979. After that, the two sides will see their common disagreements, and common agreements and build a framework.
The retreat from Afghanistan is possible. Many hardliners in the USA feel that the only reason Iran wants to start talking to the USA, is because the they see the Taliban about to collapse in Afghanistan, and a USA retreat is possible by negotiation of abandonment of Iranian nuclear aspirations. Whether that could be true is anyone's guess. - Reply to this comment
- Amazing after all the history we have empowering the worlds despots we fall for the same foolish trap. I know we want everyone to like us, but come now- by cooperating nationals suffer and die. All of antiwar folks: have you ever calculated the cost to dealing with these? How many of these countries citizens are tortured and murdered as we legitamize their leaders? Read about life in the USSR and Red China. Do we have blood on our hands due to foolish policies to cooperate with them?
- Reply to this comment
- When are we going to get our SOS Clinton back in the picture? I guess since Hillary & Bill Clinton showed up Obama in North Korea he's decided to take our beloved SOS out of the picture & go it on his own with his czars. Just to try to make himself appear Presidential.
Obama was appalled and angry at the way The People revolted during the Iranian Election that The Iranian President would like to take advantage of this Great President without going through his SOS. - Reply to this comment
- So if Israel invades Iran, the price of oil goes up. The Obama administration, never letting a good emergency go to waste, will probably take some action. Gas rationing? Electricity rationing? Something more drastic? Whatever actions that might be taken, the spike in oil prices could be the trigger that sparks hyperinflation, making the price of oil go up even more. Sending our country into its final death spiral.
Will it happen? I don?t know. All I know that we are in the last days, and the end of our good life is likely to come to an end soon. - Reply to this comment
- as long as we are dependent on oil from the Middle East, there isn't anything we can do to mitigate this threat. Iran is still threatening to get a nuclear bomb, and we're not doing anything about it. We can't really, we need the oil too much. Meanwhile, Israel can't let Iran get nuclear weapons. They take president Ahmadinejad at his word when he says that he wants to blow Israel off the map. They will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that it doesn't happen. They don't have the luxury of taking the politically correct, we are the world route. Their survival depends on it......
- Reply to this comment
- While Americans are off attending town halls and debating about health care, a far greater threat waits in the wings. This threat could take down our country at any time. Our country could be taken down tonight, as a matter of fact. That threat is oil and debt.
- Reply to this comment
- They still don't notice.
- Reply to this comment
- by skiraj September 12, 2009 10:09 AM EDT
What a joke this is. While we're sitting down, talking for the next 5 years, this will give Iran just the time it needs to start building it's nuclear arsenal. Just like Saddam Hussein did for 10 years, Iran will keep toying with the west to give it the time it needs to complete it's nuclear program. Pathetic that so many Americans actually believe we can negotiate with these madmen, I mean, who wouldn't want to be friends with the US, right? It will be our un-doing.
It's unbelievable and amazing to me, that some people STILL think that Saddam Hussein had nukes / WMD's.
It's like the whole 8 years just passed right by, and they never even noticed. - Reply to this comment
- What a joke this is. While we're sitting down, talking for the next 5 years, this will give Iran just the time it needs to start building it's nuclear arsenal. Just like Saddam Hussein did for 10 years, Iran will keep toying with the west to give it the time it needs to complete it's nuclear program. Pathetic that so many Americans actually believe we can negotiate with these madmen, I mean, who wouldn't want to be friends with the US, right? It will be our un-doing.
- Reply to this comment
-
- Well, Israel has been denying Palestinians their lands for 40+ years in disguise of reaching a consensus with the jews living there and court orders and that's giving it time to build more settlements.
- The Russians likely pushed the Iranians to resume talks after they asked Netanyahu how many months they had left before the Israelis took military action against Iran. However the agreement to negotiate came about, this is good news since it shows that the Iranians may be politically demented, but they aren't suicidal.
- It may be noteworthy that less than 9 months after the Bush-Cheney administration left power there are talks. Of course Iran is squeezed between two countries that are as unstable as butter in the sun. The six powers need to let the regular suits sit at home and take to the meeting their most versed Persians to negoiate. I think that a Persian dealing with a Persian may be the only way to find neutral ground.
- Reply to this comment
- OK, now, let's find out how much we sold out for this.
- Reply to this comment
-
- rplat, would you rather just pre-emptively strike this nation? I'm sure the U.S. would be greeted as liberators. Gimme a break!!!
- "by BaghdadsCalm September 12, 2009 10:54 AM EDT
Limbaugh and Glen Beck are great patriots."
Baggie - Limbbaugh is a pill popper, and Beck is a drunk. Those are the heights of their acheivements.
- A mushroom cloud in NYC next time. It would bother me, but since they forgot 9/11 its not a bad price.
- This will all be shown for the crap it is after the USGS picks up an underground nuclear test in iran's eastern deserts.....
- There are only two reasons for Iran to be willing to talk at this point,
Either thay are simply stalling for time, (most likely) or something scared them. (they don't appear to have enough sense to be scared of anything)
There is a faint possibility that Israel is getting ready to do a 'preemptive' Nuking of their bomb making facility. (That would scare me if I were them.)
My money is on this being a stalling tactic....
