Obama's Diplomatic Plan for Iran

[Texas]

Much has been said about Obama and his plan for dealing with Iran and whether he will meet directly with Iran's head of state. The best answer to this question comes from Obama's own website. This is the section on his new "surge of diplomacy" (his words) in the Middle East and the rest of the world.


http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreignpolicy/#iran

Diplomacy: Obama is the only major candidate who supports tough, direct presidential diplomacy with Iran without preconditions. Now is the time to pressure Iran directly to change their troubling behavior. Obama would offer the Iranian regime a choice. If Iran abandons its nuclear program and support for terrorism, we will offer incentives like membership in the World Trade Organization, economic investments, and a move toward normal diplomatic relations. If Iran continues its troubling behavior, we will step up our economic pressure and political isolation. Seeking this kind of comprehensive settlement with Iran is our best way to make progress.

There is a bit of a problem with the above statement and either Obama is way behind the curve or he hopes that his opponent will not notice little things that can sink him in a debate. His "brand new" never before thought of diplomatic carrot of membership in the WTO. But alas as we all know there is nothing new under the sun and Iran was offered WTO membership in 2005 with the agreement of that master of "cowboy diplomacy" GW Bush. The only conditions were the ones Obama listed above.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4582081.stm

President George W Bush announced a major change in US policy towards Iran in March, saying that he would back European talks to resolve the stand-off over Iran's nuclear activities and was prepared to extend economic incentives to Tehran.

These included the lifting of the block on Iran's WTO membership and of objections to Tehran obtaining parts for commercial planes.

Washington accuses Iran of using its nuclear energy programme as a cover for developing nuclear weapons.

Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons, but suspended uranium enrichment after negotiations with France, Germany and the UK.

On Wednesday Iran renewed the pledge to maintain the suspension in a deal announced by UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

One small problem though, Iran almost immediately reneged on it's obligations and the membership agreement has stalled, not by the United States but by the EU countries acting as de facto Iranian sponsors. So Iran has already failed Obama's test and his stated remedy in his own position statement is more economic and political isolation. Obama has repeated accused the Bush administration of only threatening force in its dealings with Iran yet Bush HAS offered all of the carrots proffered by Obama. The only thing Bush has that Obama doesn't carry is a stick. Can anyone tell me why Obama is apparently unaware that his approach to Iran has already been tried as recently as 3 years ago and that the negotiations are on going? Is he really that out of touch with both European and US foreign policy?

 

[Tsukasa Buddha]

God, did we really need another thread on this?

And since when does

Bush announcing that the US would back European talks == direct presidential diplomacy?

 

[Texas]

God, did we really need another thread on this?

And since when does

Bush announcing that the US would back European talks == direct presidential diplomacy?

LOL. What is so magical about Obama going hat in hand to the Mullahs in Iran?

 

[Texas]

God, did we really need another thread on this?

And since when does

Bush announcing that the US would back European talks == direct presidential diplomacy?

Is Obama going to explain to Iran that WTO rules mean that Iran MUST trade with all member states including Israel and Denmark or will he unilaterally waive the rules himself?