[FARS]

Defense & Foreign Affairs articles are not available to the public and cannot be accessed over the Internet, so the link goes to AntiMullah, where it was posted with permission of the author.

[FARS]

Is James Baker repeating Carter's stupidity with Khomeini?

[Dr. Frank fan]

At this point in time (the "Iraqi Study Group" having concluded its stellar studying) I don't believe James Baker has been elected, appointed or hired to any actual government position. So what, exactly, gives him the right or authority to "work to establish ties" with a nation, any more than I do?

Get a freakin' life, James Baker.

[Liberty Valance]

[Cindy]

ping

[4woodenboats]

President Bush is noted/admired/derided for his plain talk approach to foreign policy, and he has plainly told the world that US policy is steadfast in that there will be no talks with Iran until Iran has given verifiable proof that it has ended its nuclear enrichment program.

It can't get any plainer than that.

Baker is operating in direct conflict with and therefore seriously undermining US foreign policy.

That's simply not acceptable.

[Earthdweller]

So what's up? He plans to negotiate away part or all of Israel without the approval of the American people or Israel itself?

Talk about your global dictator.

[SE Mom]

If the author's conclusions are accurate- this is breathtaking. James Baker is deliberately underminging the authority of the president..

[gotribe]

Gimme another spike - I need my oil fix.

[Zeroisanumber]

James Baker has been the chief fixer and consigliere of the Bush family for years. If he's doing this without direct instruction from the president, I'll eat my hat... without salt.

[G Larry]

Somebody has to be prepared to ask for their surrender AFTER THEY'RE NUKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[snowsislander]

Former US Secretary of State James Baker, who co-chaired the recent US Iraq Study Group — the main recommendations of which were rejected by the George W. Bush Administration — is working indirectly and behind the scenes to bring about direct diplomatic ties between the US and Iran.

This is in defiance of Bush White House policy which essentially has said that encouraging direct negotiations with the Iranian clerical leaders would legitimize and strengthen the power of the Iranian mullahs, making it more difficult for Iran’s secular opposition to bring about democratic change in the country.

The Logan Act:

§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply himself, or his agent, to any foreign government, or the agents thereof, for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]

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As I note on occasion, James Baker has no business anywhere near US foreign relations, other than as a Saudi lobbyist perhaps, while still a managing partner of Baker-Botts, his law firm with extensive interests in the region.

[melancholy]

The way I see it; this will only accelerate the need to bomb Iran sooner than later.

Regionally, Iran will NEVER quit supporting:

1- Hezbollah and Syria overthrowing the Lebanese government,
2- Hamas take over in Gaza and linking up with Hezbollah
3- Sadr's Mahdi army and swallowing Iraq whole

Internationally, Iran will carry on supporting the fight against the West protected by a nuclear umbrella.

How can Baker think that he can "negotiate" with a man who talks to a well? Is Baker attempting to bring in the well and expand it to three-way talks?

Iran is playing for time, a short time, and that can't be tolerated, especially with the RATs controlling Congress and threatening to take the Presidency in '08.

President Bush and the US can't afford for Baker's gambit.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping

[SunkenCiv]

Two-tracks, hard cop/soft cop; all with an eye on the 2008 election.

[M. Espinola]

Baker, Iran's best PR man.

[Brooklyn Kid]

"visit by Bandar to Tehran where he met with “Supreme Leader” “Ayatollah” Ali Hoseini-Khamene‘i on January 25, 2007, before meeting at length next day with Larijani."

I thought you said Khameinie was dead?

[kinghorse]

Did Pakistan perfect nuclear technology while the west was fawning over their 'progressive' female led government of the time? Does the re-elevation of Rafshani ring any bells. Were we sent Ahmadinejad to make us all relieved when the good cop showed up? This is a set up, a cover for buying time, nothing more, nothing less.