Washington – The United States is open to bilateral talks about Iran’s nuclear program if Tehran is “ever ready,” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday.
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Responding to a question, Clinton called Iran the hardest issue she has dealt with as secretary of state “because of the dangers that its behavior already poses and the geometrically greater danger that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose.”
The United States and its allies suspect Iran of seeking to develop nuclear arms under cover of its civilian atomic program. Iran denies this, saying its program is for peaceful purposes such as power generation and producing medical isotopes.
Under a “two track” policy, the United States and other major powers have sought to negotiate a diplomatic solution while gradually increasing economic sanctions against Iran to try to force it to come to terms.
Speaking to a group of officials, experts and diplomats from the United States and the Middle East, Clinton stressed that the Obama administration is prepared for bilateral talks with Iran.
For now, Clinton said Washington is working with members of the so-called P5+1 group of major powers – Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States – to resume talks with Iran about its nuclear program.
“We are working on the P5+1 and making our willingness known that we are ready to have a bilateral discussion if they are every ready to engage,” said Clinton, who has said she plans to step down as secretary of state next year.
While giving no details, Clinton said the P5+1 was trying to craft a proposal to Iran “that does make it clear we are running out of time. We have got to get serious; here are issues we are willing to discuss with you but we expect reciprocity.”
In October, diplomats had said they were considering asking Iran for stricter limits on its nuclear program in exchange for an easing of sanctions in a long-shot approach aimed at yielding a solution that has eluded them for a decade.
One option could be for each side to put more on the table – both in terms of demands and possible rewards – than in previous meetings in a bid to break the stalemate despite deep skepticism about the chances of a breakthrough any time soon.
Whatever, Hillary.
Whatever it takes to delay, delay, and delay some more. Whatever it takes to make it less possible for Israel to do whatever attack it needs to do to defend itself.
Way to go, Hilarious.
This is where Obama and co. throw Israel under the bus. Just wait and see!
How did this inept lady ever muster the audacity to run for president?
Stupid. That is the liberal mouthpiece just spewing words that sound really nice, peace, negotiation, talks, words, words, words. There has never been an honest word from Iran and other Muslim entities and groups, and those with intellect are not fooled. What you need to tell Iran is a deadline by which time they will be attacked and obliterated. Threaten. Let them seek the olive branch. US has been doing all this olive branch stuff for years, and the record is zilch. Graduated snactions that had no effect on them. We all knew these were worthless. Let’s wag our military might at them. If they want to handle this peacefully, let them beg, on their knees.
Ah, I see all the armchair generals are out in force already. Just bomb Iran, right? Never mind that the Iranians have scattered their nuclear sites in so many underground sites that even Israeli military experts say it will be impossible to destroy all or even most. Never mind that an attack on Iran would bring about acts of terror and retribution that could potentially kill and maim untold numbers of Israelis (and Jews elsewhere in the world). Never mind that Jews in Iran would be subect to unprecedented attacks and pogoms. Never mind that it’s highly doubtful Israel even has a workable military plan — otherwise it would have attacked three or four years ago , when a successful military strike would have been at least somehat more feasible. And never mind that Mitt Romney kept repeating throughout the campaign that Obama has the right approach to Iran and he wouldn’t do anything different if he were president.
Reply to 6. Nobody is rooting against Obama. Just facing reality. The man hates Israel. The hearts of leaders are in the hands of Hashem
The peace talking route got us nowhere. Fact. The sactions that were barely perceptible got us nowhere. Fact The increasing of sanctions by microscopic increments got us nowhere. Fact. Hillary is simply repeating the ineffective attitudes. Einstein is credited as defining insanity as the repeating of behavior while expecting a different outcome. #4 might be a bit extreme in talking about military options, but is more than correct in suggesting that we do something forceful, not this liberal, fairy tale junk.
Reply to 10. Proof is very simple… did he or did he not force Israel to halt their surgical campaign against Hamas so that Hamas can rearm?
How would we have liked it if after the arabs bombed the world trade center if the un forced us to accept a truce just before we got osama?
Need more proof than that? Stay tuned… 4 more years!