Iran 'satisfied' with American involvement

Fear-And-Loathing · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Iran satisfied at US involvement
Manouchehr Mottaki
Iran says its nuclear programme is only aimed at generating electricity

Iran has welcomed as positive America's decision to take part in international talks on its nuclear programme.

Speaking in Damascus, Iran's foreign minister said Tehran was looking forward to constructive engagement.

A meeting in Switzerland will involve, for the first time, the US Under Secretary of State, William Burns.

The talks will aim to find out how Iran will respond to the West's offer of economic incentives if Tehran suspends its uranium enrichment programme.

"The American participation is positive," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said, after meeting Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus.

He added that Iran was looking forward "to constructive engagement" at Saturday's talks in Geneva.

"This is not only a good initiative, but our US friends are joining the dialogue. It's a very interesting, a new attitude, an additional asset, no doubt," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told reporters outside a European security meeting in Vienna.

Iran denies any nuclear weapons plans, but is defying UN Security Council demands to halt uranium enrichment.

In the past, the Bush administration has insisted that no talks will be held with Iran until it suspends its uranium enrichment programme.

The Bush administration says Mr Burns's presence is designed to demonstrate the West's unity and to reiterate that the terms of negotiations remain the same - namely that Iran must halt its uranium enrichment programme for further talks to take place.

There are growing signs that Iran and America are taking significant steps towards a negotiated solution to the nuclear crisis, says the BBC's Tehran correspondent, Jon Leyne.

Iran will probably soon accept a Western proposal to freeze its nuclear programme at its current level, in return for a freeze on new sanctions, our correspondent says.

The US is among six world powers which have offered Iran negotiations on a package of incentives, including direct contact and dialogue, if Tehran suspends uranium enrichment, a process the West fears could be used to make nuclear weapons.

But it has not previously sent US diplomats to sit down face-to-face with Iranian negotiators to discuss the issue.

The package brought to Tehran by the EU foreign envoy Javier Solana last month includes a series of proposals designed to help Iran develop a civilian nuclear programme.

The meeting comes at a time of increased tension between Iran and the US, particularly following Iranian missile tests last week that prompted the US to warn that it would defend its interests and its allies in the region.

Formal contacts between the US and Iran are very rare, though the two countries held three rounds of talks in 2007 over Iraq.

The two nations have not had diplomatic relations since the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the taking of hostages at the US embassy in Tehran.

Wow isn't this something? The Iranians are happy with American moves concerning their nuclear program. If I was Iranian, I would be happy namely because the Americans aren't doing anything!!!

This is ridiculous.

Tehran Tim · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:23 PM

If I wasn't Iranian, I'd still support this move. There's a lot of common interests between the US and Iran, and Iran has the most strategic value of any country in the region. There's a good case to be made on both sides for a reproachment.

Voltaire · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tehran Tim

Iran has the most strategic value of any country in the region.

I would venture to say Israel does (I AM American), being it's the only democratic state in the region.

Theocracy is nonsense.

Tehran Tim · #4 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltaire

I would venture to say Israel does (I AM American), being it's the only democratic state in the region.

Theocracy is nonsense.

Well, I'd be glad to debate this topic with you.

My thesis will be that Israel has little to no strategic value to the US, and may in fact even be a strategic liability. Whereas Iran has the potential to be a great strategic asset, far greater than Israel.

You contend the opposite, so make your case.

Sunni Man · #5 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltaire

I would venture to say Israel does (I AM American), being it's the only democratic state in the region.

Why do people say that?

Turkey, Egypt, and Iran are all democracys

Voltaire · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunni Man

Why do people say that?

Turkey, Egypt, and Iran are all democracys

I disagree. They are theocracies masquerading as democracies. The pope has no say in American politics, the Ayatollah does in Iran.

See this for more..

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/06/...ion/ediran.php

Tehran Tim · #7 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltaire

I disagree. They are theocracies masquerading as democracies. The pope has no say in American politics, the Ayatollah does in Iran.

See this for more..

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/06/...ion/ediran.php

Forget Sunni Man, I want you to respond to my challenge. Make your case in your own words based on the premise I outlined, and we'll take it from there.

Sunni Man · #8 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltaire

I disagree. They are theocracies masquerading as democracies. The pope has no say in American politics, the Ayatollah does in Iran.

So to be a democracy, they have to meet your standards?

Englands democracy is different than Spain's. Spains is different than Germanys. Gremanys is not like the USA's. And so on and so on.

Iran and Egypt and Turkey are all democracys.

Actually, Israel is a fascist state ruled by Zionist nazis and barely qualifies as a democracy.

Voltaire · #9 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunni Man

So to be a democracy, they have to meet your standards?

Englands democracy is different than Spain's. Spains is different than Germanys. Gremanys is not like the USA's. And so on and so on.

Iran and Egypt and Turkey are all democracys.

Actually, Israel is a fascist state ruled by Zionist nazis

I never mentioned any standards, pointless in this discussion.

None of your examples compare to the states in question (no religious rulers in political decision making), therefore they are irrelevant. Israel is a democray, it is NOT a Jewish state (yet, I concede).

Iran is not a democracy, plain and simple, it is a theocracy.

Voltaire · #10 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tehran Tim

Forget Sunni Man, I want you to respond to my challenge. Make your case in your own words based on the premise I outlined, and we'll take it from there.

What premise would that be? Your PM mentioned no premises. Did you not read the article I provided?

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