Enemies in talks to save Iraq

The Australian ^ | 4 May 2007 | Correspondents in Sharm el-Sheikh, Eygpt

[BlackVeil]

A SUMMIT aimed at rescuing Iraq from chaos and bankruptcy kicked off last night in Egypt, where the US and Iran were expected to make history with the first talks between senior officials in nearly three decades. Foreign ministers and top diplomats from more than 50 countries gathered in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to launch a five-year plan aimed at stabilising war-torn Iraq. At the strong urging of Iraq and other Arab countries, a high-level meeting between Syria and the US was expected overnight, but the possibility of a more dramatic face-to-face US meeting with Iran was also expected. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she was willing to talk with Iran's Foreign Minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, after years of accusations and name-calling between the nations. "If we encounter each other then I am certainly planning to be polite and see what that encounter brings," Dr Rice said. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said yesterday that Tehran would welcome talks with the US on the sidelines of the conference ...

[humint]

"If we encounter each other then I am certainly planning to be polite and see what that encounter brings," Dr Rice said.

Polite is good. Polite confrontations are exactly what the Sec State is geared to win. If the Iraq war can't be won militarily by Patraeus, then it's actually a political war. Political wars are for Condi to win or lose. I hope her gambit with Iran pays dividends. Otherwise Patraeus's surge will only give Iran more breathing room to further destabilize Iraq. The way the Iraqi parliament has performed thus far, one would think the DOS has been on vacation. These latest moves by Iraq's parliament make Condi's plan look like it's working against Patraeus's surge. For all Americans, I pray these setbacks are not what they appear to be.

[JasonC]

More brain damaged children who think if we just talk with murderous goons all will be right with the world. Denial, childishness, unreality, shallowness, stupidity.

No one is up to the height of the times.

[humint]

No one is up to the height of the times.

What would you say to the Iranian Government? If you say “nothing”, what would that mean exactly? Alternatively – What would you do with the Iranian Government? If you say “nothing”, what would you expect them to do in response? Inaction and half measures speak louder than words.

[expatguy]

You didn't get the sarcasm of the headline did you?

You might want to read this ~ one of the countries is Australia

Divided We Stand, United We Fall

[humint]

Divided We Stand, United We Fall

Excellent article. I do however see a role for congress in American foreign affairs. American citizens with foreign interests have no procedural redress if they disagree with American Foreign Policy. Who should they go to? The courts are not beholden to them. The State Department is not beholden to them. Only elected officials can champion an issue they see as essential. The question then becomes one of qualifications. Who is qualified to formulate alternative policy? Think tanks, corporations, NGOs or activists all have a place in a relatively confused policy making matrix. Democracy is messy, but from it springs unparalleled beauty. That's why it works.

[expatguy]

I have a better question for you.

I've lived and worked for the last 20 years in Southeast Asia and while I remain an American citizen and pay taxes I have no representation in our nation's government.

Simply put, I don't have a Congressman

[expatguy]

One more thing, If I might ~ I understand what you are saying, but I also am deeply embarrassed to see elected congressmen overseas making an ass of themselves and in the process jeopardizing diplomatic and other efforts that have been going on for years.

So, Im sorry I find it hard to accept that congressmen have any business overseas - their only business should be to represent their constituents - the point you brought up is that their constituents might have overseas interests.

Im not sure how to address that issue, but I do respect it.

I think the best way would be for congressmen to go through the state department and that their actions be severely limited in who they are allowed to talk to an who they are allowed to meet with on an offical level.

[humint]

‘Simply put, I don’t have a Congressman’

If you pay taxes you do. In addition to that, you can voice your opinions to every organ of the US gov. I believe the most responsive agency to citizens within the US gov is our congress. I completely agree that the congress should work through the DOS but may ocasionally need to compel it to make policy adjustments. But only when DOS has demonstrated historically poor judgment. When called into question however, the DOS should overtly prove its judgement is not flawed. This is my oppinion and I am aware that it is problematic. The freedom of information act is part of the answer. Congressional hearings help too. There isn’t one answer here. Regardless Pelosi reduced tensions through subversion. From a systems perspective, that’s always bad.

[humint]

Know Thyself Knowing others, one is learned; Knowing thyself, one is enlightened. Conquering others requires force; Conquering oneself requires strength. Knowing contentment, one is rich; Having perseverance, one is firm; Abiding in the center, one endures; Even in dying, one enjoys eternal life. — Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, XXXIII

[JasonC]

"A state of war exists between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America".

Or, if you prefer, invite Ahmadinejad to an important diplomatic confab, arrest him, try him for murder before a military tribunal, and execute him by firing squad. Then announce an international conference of learned scholars denying that you did so.

Or, if you prefer, seize or sink every ship leaving Iranian waters.

Etc. We have no lack of means to deal with these pipsqueaks. We lack men.