Why did Cheney Nix Iran Concession Plan in 2003?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/01/wilkerson_us_sn.html#more

Thursday, 18 January 2007
Wilkerson: U.S. Snubbed Iran's Offers
Lawrence Wilkerson, a top aide to former Secretary of State Colin Powell with whom he had a falling out over his criticisms of the Bush administration, told BBC Newsnight program that "Iran offered the US a package of concessions in 2003, but it was rejected. This plan, say experts, "corresponds pretty closely to what Washington is demanding from Tehran now." From BBC News's "Washington 'snubbed Iran offer'":

Tehran proposed ending support for Lebanese and Palestinian militant groups and helping to stabilise Iraq following the US-led invasion.
Offers, including making its nuclear programme more transparent, were conditional on the US ending hostility.

But Vice-President Dick Cheney's office rejected the plan, said.


One of the then Secretary of State Colin Powell's top aides told the BBC the state department was keen on the plan - but was over-ruled.
"We thought it was a very propitious moment to do that," Lawrence Wilkerson told Newsnight.

"But as soon as it got to the White House, and as soon as it got to the Vice-President's office, the old mantra of 'We don't talk to evil'... reasserted itself."

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