Posted on 04/17/2012 9:39:11 AM PDT by Nachum
Laura Rozen’s account of the behind-the-scenes action during the Iranian nuclear talks in Istanbul undermines the notion that President Obama is in control of the P5+1 diplomatic process that he fiercely defended during the weekend. As Rozen’s reporting makes clear, it is the European Union’s Catherine Ashton who was clearly in charge of the affair, and as long as that fierce critic of Israel is calling the shots, it’s unlikely the Iranians will surrender their nuclear ambitions.
Indeed, by championing Iran’s right to nuclear development, which could be ultimately used for military purposes, Ashton may be steering the negotiations toward a deal that will be represented as defusing the crisis while not removing the threat of an Iranian bomb. Though the Europeans are championing the idea that the talks have value, the Iranians seem to be back to their old tricks in convincing their negotiating partners of their interest in a solution while sticking to a playbook whose only objective is to remove the threat of an oil embargo in exchange for giving up nothing. This may be Obama’s idea of a ticking clock, but with Ashton dragging out the process, there is, as even Rozen concluded, little likelihood that real progress is in the offing.
As Rozen makes clear, the Iranians seem all too comfortable with Ashton as their chief interlocutor. Though Ashton, a failed leftist British politician who has become the EU’s foreign policy chief, is praised for her skill in orchestrating the talks, her coziness with the Iranians has to worry President Obama. According to Rozen, she spent a three-hour dinner with the top Iranian negotiator discussing “political party funding in the U.S.,” a clear illusion to the influence of the pro-Israel community and President Obama’s need to sound tough about the nuclear question. This nugget raises
(Excerpt) Read more at commentarymagazine.com ...
Ashton equates the murders at Tolouse (France) with Gaza
“The European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, Catherine Ashton, made a skewed comparison on Monday between the lethal, unprovoked shooting attack at a Jewish school in Toulouse, in which three children and a teacher were murdered at point blank range, and the unintended deaths of children in Gaza when Israel attempts to stop missile launchings and apprehend terrorists.”
http://www.israpundit.com/archives/44624
The list, Ping
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So...EU leftist, Catherine Ashton, de facto head of US-Iran foreign policy?
Not...unless...she is serving the Obama machine’s interests.
“The happy talk emanating from Istanbul and the ease with which the Iranians stonewalled the P5+1 negotiators creates a stark contrast with President Obama’s vow to keep the pressure on Iran.”
Watch what Obama does/doesn’t do and NOT what he says.
Words, with Obama, are just another means to conceal deceit.
“Whosoever’s hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be revealed before the whole assembly. “ Prov 26:26
Where does all this leave “smart power” Hillary? Thought she was the brain trust among the 3:00 AM crowd on all things “crisis”.
I thought they were talking about Ashton Kutcher.
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..................
As though Barry is in charge of anything.
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