Posted on 09/22/2013 4:59:29 PM PDT by Libloather
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are expressing misgivings about President Obama's potential meeting with Iran's new president on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
The White House said Friday that the president was “ready to engage” with Rouhani, further adding to the speculation that the two could meet face-to-face in what would be the first such encounter since the two countries broke off diplomatic ties in 1980. Several lawmakers believe such a meeting would be a mistake, empowering Iran before it has made any real concessions on its alleged nuclear weapons program.
Hawkish Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), the chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Middle East panel, called it a “terrible idea.”
“Rouhani,” she told The Hill, “is the master of disguise. He knows how to do the charm offensive on the U.S. and is charming the snakes coming out of the basket with his sweet tune of reconciliation and love of the Jews. And it's working. I miss [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad; he was so 'what you see is what you get'.”
Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), another top member of the committee, said he was “very wary of meeting with [Rouhani] at this time.” He drew parallels with Burma, which President Obama visited last year but remains plagued with ethnic strife and military repression.
“They've already consumed the carrots, and we really haven't seen any real benefit,” Chabot said. “I think there's sometimes a temptation by administrations to think that something positive is happening somewhere else in the world and to try to take credit for it. I think that's sort of what we've seen in Burma, and that may be what we see happening in Iran.”
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a senior Democrat on the panel, called meetings with the president of the United States “a tremendous gift that should not be given away for a wink and a promise.”
“We can't stop somebody from walking by us in a hallway,” he said. “But a sit-down meeting in New York should not be given away for free.”
And Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a lead advocate for intervention in Syria, raised issue with Iran's continued support for Bashar Assad.
“I think there's many other ways to start negotiations,” he said. “This is a country that's sending in Revolutionary Guards and planeloads of weapons into Syria.”
Others however feel the time is ripe. Rouhani has made multiple overtures to the Obama administration ahead of the UN General Assembly, releasing political prisoners and penning a Washington Post op-ed in which he called for “constructive interaction” with the United States.
“As a nation we should be taking advantage of the decision of the Iranian people to elect President Rouhani,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations panel on the Near East. “I think they sent a pretty clear message and we should be testing the sincerity of President Rouhani's desire to re-engage. Who does the meetings – that's for the executive branch to decide.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), another member of the panel, said it's “important to send Rouhani a sign that we welcome a new, moderate regime.”
“At some point we need to recognize that there's probably some good that can come from talking,” he told The Hill. “I have thought for a long time that it's silly that we believe we're punishing Iran by ignoring them.”
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a member of the House foreign affairs panel, said Obama was the right candidate for the Iranians to seek a deal since he promised in the 2008 campaign to meet without preconditions.
“The United States should always be open to changing circumstances and changing leadership and be prepared to respond,” he said. “Absolute, closed, 'we-don't-care-we're-not-going-to-talk-to-you' policies, have rarely worked in our favor.”
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel, agreed.
“I think what's happening in Iran is you have a president who sees how bad the economy is, the sanctions are working,” he said. “You take advantage of the time when it's presented to you. It depends on the facts and circumstances.”
So did Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.).
“That's the sort of decision only a president can make,” Levin said. “I wouldn't object to it, let me put it that way.”
Others didn't rule out such a high-level meeting but urged Obama to remain wary. The White House says it remains committed to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon, by force if necessary.
“I think it's always good [to talk] but [Obama] has to be very clear, precise – no muddle, no imprecise or misleading rhetoric,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), a leading human-rights advocate in Congress. “He's not his predecessor, Ahmadinejad, so there's always hope but he can't go in there thinking that force of personality or a big smile is going to move the ball. Because it's not.”
Jewish Democrats are particularly cautious. Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat.
“I think talking is always a good idea,” said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). “But I think we need to carry a big stick. The president ought to make it very clear that we are still on the same trajectory unless they actually change their efforts to develop a nuclear bomb. We are still going to be prepared to take military measures to stop it.”
He said talking can be part of the administration's pressure tactic.
“Increase the sanctions, increase the pressure and hope there can be a diplomatic solution,” Waxman said. “But you can't get to a diplomatic solution without talking.”
My bet - Hussein will do it either for distraction or for the photo-op - or both.
Hussein will get rolled again, as usual.
Well, he did meet with Hugo Chavez. Next, he’ll join Dennis Rodman in NK.
Why are they worried, obama will feel right at home.
Or to advantage the Islamists and hurt the US. He can provide further cover and delay so Iran finish their nuclear weapons and also to prepare the US for accepting Iranian hegemony in that area.
Obama: “I tricked him into trading their big nickel for our little nickel! Look, here it is! I’m a negotiating genius!”
Or is already in cahoots.
Its like sending Biden in to talk physics with Einstein. Jeeeez!
Take a bow for us o zero
Obama will try to give them our nuclear secrets. Hopefully someone will give Zero an empty briefcase.
I hope he does meet with a big glad handing presser. He is painting a very compelling picture of himself, particularly this year. Any supporters should have their feet held to the fire in the future.
Er, didn’t the Iranians threaten to rape Obama’s daughters?
I don’t trust him
What could go wrong? /sarc
True, that. But nobama's arrogance and narcissism will win the day and he will have the meeting. And prolly get rolled again.
His staff could do him a big favor if they could figure a way to convince him he's not ready for these types of meetings.
Maybe they can meet up in Pakistan, at one of the training camps where Soetero stayed during his vacation years ago. Hell, they’ll probably be renewing an old friendship.
Thanks Libloather.
Censorship.
Come on folks...what’s wrong with a couple of pals getting together for a little chat!?
Rouhani will be sleeping in the Lincoln Bedroom before this is finished.
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