Posted By: John in Moapa @ 12/16/2008 3:00:24 PM
The first words the embassy people will learn in Farzi will be "Hands up infidels."
Bush officials finalize still-controversial plans for a U.S. office in Iran.
With barely two months left in office, the Bush administration is moving toward restoring partial diplomatic relations with Iran—a country President Bush once denounced as a part of the "Axis of Evil."
An administration plan to open a "U.S.-interests section" in the Swiss Embassy in Tehran has been endorsed by career State Department officials and has won the backing of some senior policymakers inside the White House, according to administration officials who asked not to be identified talking about sensitive matters. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice favors the move but is reviewing details before making a final recommendation to the president. The United States has not yet asked the Iranian government if it would accept such a delegation, though in the past Iranian officials have indicated an interest in the idea. An administration official said an announcement of such a move was likely "before Thanksgiving."
The change would likely be interpreted as a retreat from past administration policies aimed at isolating the Iranian regime. It could create opportunities—and pitfalls—for the incoming foreign-policy team of President-elect Barack Obama. The new president's approach to such issues as Iranian support for Shiite militias in Iraq and Tehran's nuclear program is certain to receive intense scrutiny.
As recently as last summer, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed strong approval for the notion of a U.S.-interests section in Tehran. However, officially the Obama campaign and transition team is declining to discuss the subject. Obama's team has not been consulted on the Tehran plan, said one administration official. Not only is the current administration under no legal obligation to consult with its successors, but the incoming administration might find it advantageous for outgoing policymakers to take responsibility for potentially controversial foreign-policy moves like this, the official said.
In what might be a gesture to placate remaining administration hardliners before the new diplomatic initiative is launched, the Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that it was tightening U.S. economic sanctions on Iran. The new regulations will stop U.S. banks from processing transactions by foreign banks that indirectly involve Iran. The Treasury said it was taking this action to crack down on alleged efforts by the Iranians to support terrorism and advance its nuclear interests.
Over the last two years, factions within the Bush administration have squabbled over the "interests section" proposal—which would partially restore a U.S. diplomatic presence in Tehran, ties that have been broken since the 1979-1980 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis. Administration hard-liners allegedly have vehemently opposed such a development, and only a few months ago associates of Vice President Dick Cheney reportedly were seriously discussing the possibility of a U.S. or Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear sites. Some hard-liners still argue strongly against the plan, as demonstrated in a new broadside by Michael Rubin, an American Enterprise Institute scholar who advised Pentagon officials before the Iraq war. But Rice and other administration officials have argued that the proposal should move ahead.
The first words the embassy people will learn in Farzi will be "Hands up infidels."
Exactly what specific terrorist act has Iran committed? Name one. and if you think that taking the embassy was a terrorist act. I guess that you don't recall that the Shah was in the US and we would not extradite him for prosecution. Read our history about the 1953 US overthrow of their western educated democratically elected president where we installed the Shah into power and he murdered and pillaged the Iranian people for 30 years. Hey they are some real terrorists and we are "good" people. The Persian (Iranian) culture was in existence long before Europeans developed the ability to write. Have some respect. No one appointed us to perpetuate our beliefs onto the rest of the world. Of course the Iranians have a right to nuclear weapons. We also have the right to counterattack if we are attacked. No brainer. Hitler was Hitler. United States is United States. Iran is Iran. don't get confused. PS; ABC and the LA Times are "for profit commercial enterprises" not news providers. Did Brittany wear any panties today? Think.
Has any one read recent reports from Iran filed on ABC News and in the LA Times?. Achmadinejad is in serious trouble. Iran's economy is collapsing. Inflation and unemployment are rampant and out of control. I read reports that last year gasoline riots erupted. The collapsing price of oil is creating economic havoc in Iran. The Iranian government has three choices. It can continue to go nuclear creating a larger national debt and more inflation, or it can cut back on social programs which buy votes. In addition elections are slated for June of 2009, and if you were to run an opinion poll right now, Obama might be a lot more popular than Achmadinejad, especially among the young. A regime that alienates its young cannot survive.
Remember, Obama's funny name? Well, Hussein happens to be the name of a greatly revered religous leader. It also means good and handsome. Barack means blessing. Think of how Obama's name resounds in Iran.
I think Obama should take his time talking to Iran. Obama has proven himself already to be cautious. In addition, one of my former students called him Barack O'BALLA. How might Obama's knowledge of basketball relate to Iran when the Iranian government is in it's last 6 months and Obama has control of the ball (and a lead in the score.)?
If we really want to "bomb" Iran, let's use a smart bomb. First we need to cut down our consumption of gasoline any way we can. The lower the price of oil, the more problems for Iran. Then we need to launch Project Apollo and other green technology plans IMMEDIATELY. Consider them national defense. A prudent man, Obama will probably wait and consult experts before determining when to answer Iran's letter. He might decide to wait until after the Iranian elections. He'll probably have a lot of other concerns before then.
If we are at all intelligent, we'll recognize that we already have slammed the Iranian regime of mullash with a couple of lethal blows. Let's play it smart.
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