Iran rejects US overtures

[DanS]

...just as they did during the Clinton administration. So unless there is a revolution in Iran (crosses fingers), it looks like we are in for another couple decades of butting heads with them.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/03/AR2009110301397.html?hpid=artslot

Iran's Khamenei rejects U.S. outreach, warns against talks

By Thomas Erdbrink and William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 3, 2009; 12:48 PM

TEHRAN -- Iran's supreme leader, spurning what he described as several personal overtures from President Obama, warned Tuesday that negotiating with United States was "naive and perverted" and said Iranian politicians should not be "deceived" into starting such talks.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Obama has approached him several times through oral and written messages. It was the second time that Khamenei, 70, who wields ultimate political and religious authority in Iran, has referred to Obama's outreach, in which the U.S. president reportedly has requested talks between the two estranged nations.

Khamenei previously has mentioned receiving two letters from Obama. The White House has not confirmed sending letters to the supreme leader but has acknowledged a willingness to talk to Iran and said it has sought to communicate with Iranian leaders in a variety of ways.

[rah]

warned Tuesday that negotiating with IRAN was "naive and perverted"

Fixed. Hopefully Obama and the appeasement machine will learn and not be so naive in the future.

[Riesstiu IV]

Iranians have no reason to trust the US.

[rah]

And we have even less reasons to trust them.

[Riesstiu IV]

Actually, they have a lot more reason not to trust the US.

1953-The CIA backed coup overthrows the democratically elected government of Iran.
1953-1979 The US provides assistance to an absolute monarchy.
1980-1988 Iraq invades Iran. US provides support to Saddam.
1988- American ship shoots down an Iranian airliner. No apology is given.
2002-Bush Jr. says Iran is part of the 'Axis of Evil'.
2003-US invades two countries on Iran's borders.
2003-Israel calls for Iran to be bombed and tougher sanctions.

2009- Retarded baby boomer politicians wonder why they don't love us. You're dumb as hell, Rah.

[Arrian]

rah.

This approach set us up as the reasonable party willing to talk, and let the Iranian regime show everyone they're not interested. Setting aside who has what reasons for distrust, I think that helps us if the goal is to get other nations to join us in sanctioning Iran. That's not a goal I would necessarily pursue, but I think it's one the US government will.

-Arrian

[rah]

I'm just pointing out that those that think Obama's willingness to talk is going to resolve all our foreign policy issues and usher in an era of world peace, might be a bit overly optimistic. I know most people are not that foolish but he already got an award for it


I will agree that while openness and reaching out may help is certain areas, it's not the end all.


Remember before 9/11, Bush made a lot of similar noises, including statements that the US shouldn't be in the nation building business and we should talk with our enemies.

This is not to defend Bush or attack Obama, it's just pointing out that talk isn't everything. (I am not endorsing an invasion)

Let me know when the rest of the world gets on board with those sanctions.

[rah]

2009- Retarded baby boomer politicians wonder why they don't love us. Your dumb as hell, Obama.

Fixed.

and it's You're, not Your.

[SlowwHand]

[QUOTE=DanS;5700574]...just as they did during the Clinton administration. So unless there is a revolution in Iran (crosses fingers), it looks like we are in for another couple decades of butting heads with them.

HUGE surprise, Dan. Iran talks out of both sides of their mouth, out their ass and out any other available orifice.

[MRT144]

But we got them such a nice corsage.

[SlowwHand]

True, and one wold expect them to press it afterwards.

[Zevico]

Actually, they have a lot more reason not to trust the US.

1953-The CIA backed coup overthrows the democratically elected government of Iran.
1953-1979 The US provides assistance to an absolute monarchy.
1980-1988 Iraq invades Iran. US provides support to Saddam.
1988- American ship shoots down an Iranian airliner. No apology is given.
2002-Bush Jr. says Iran is part of the 'Axis of Evil'.
2003-US invades two countries on Iran's borders.
2003-Israel calls for Iran to be bombed and tougher sanctions.

2009- Retarded baby boomer politicians wonder why they don't love us. You're dumb as hell, Rah.

"Trust"? Who trusts anyone in politics? People act in accordance with their interests. The Iranian government is out for its own and it should well understand why the US acts as it does. But they're a collection of conspiracy freaks and the Koranic equivalent of Klanners.

[fed1943]

Obvious, Americans (that is, Presidents, Senate, diplomats and CIA) did some big and stupid
wrongs some years ago; and they did a lot of good things,too.
But they, the Americans, are not forced to repeat the mistakes.
And there is still time to fix the things. Most World believes P.Obama is trying to do it.
P.Obama did the right thing showing willingness to speak with Iran. That's the important.
That Iran wants,or not, to speak is another thing and less important.

[Drake Tungsten]

This approach set us up as the reasonable party willing to talk, and let the Iranian regime show everyone they're not interested.

And this achieves what, exactly? If you think Russia and China are going to become more supportive of sanctions just because Khamenei made clear what everyone already knew (that the Iranians really have no interest in negotiations), you're crazy. Hopefully Obama has a real plan and these attempts at outreach are just window dressing...

[SpencerH]

Hopefully he does but I doubt it. It seems to me that his tenure in the White House has been something of an eye opener for the 'community organizer'. The world isnt the warm and fuzzy place it was a year ago.