US to Israel: Tone down rhetoric on Iran

[Scurrilous]

Source: Jerusalem Post

<snip>

"Ahead of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's trip to Washington this week, the US has been urging Israel to "tone down" its rhetoric on Iran and to stop threatening a military strike on its nuclear installations, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

This was one of the purposes of a secret trip to Israel three weeks ago by CIA Director Leon Panetta, foreign diplomatic sources said.

Ostensibly, the CIA chief came to share information on Iran's nuclear program with Israeli intelligence officials and find out how serious the new Israeli government was in its stated position that Jerusalem cannot allow Iran to become a nuclear power.

Panetta was hosted by Mossad chief Meir Dagan and intelligence officials, but also met with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

While the Obama administration is intent on spearheading an international campaign to prevent Teheran from building nuclear weapons and believes that a nuclear Iran would pose a threat to the stability of the Middle East, US officials - led by Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns - plan to offer Iranian leaders a new approach and a return to the international fold in exchange for freezing their nuclear program."


Read more: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=124221238840...

[Demeter]

1. I Would Say: "STFU!" Which Is Why I'll Never Be a Diplomat

except maybe in CheneyWorld.

[lib2DaBone]

2. Whatever happened to the Jane Harmon thing? Faded away pretty quick..

third rail here ---->

[bertman]

3. Every time I get mad at our President for doing something I don't like, he turns around

and does something like this, that I LOVE.

It's so good to have a President who is willing to use diplomacy to solve these types of problems.

Recommend.

[ThomCat]

5. True. I hope he can not only prevent a war with Iran

but also somehow get Israeli Settlers out of the occupied Palestinian territories and get the two-state solution moving forward.

I know, I know, I might as well wish for miracles. But that is what I would like him to push as the diplomatic goal with Israel.

[badgervan]

8. It Is Frustrating....

... I agree with you. The only comfort I take is the fact that Prez O is an extremely smart person ( what a difference from the last guy ), and he is probably two steps ahead of all of us on what he is up to. In other words, he has a "big picture" plan, and we will just have to put up with the disappointments day to day until we can see the whole result(s).
So I'm willing to keep my mouth shut on the letdowns for now... in hopes that our Prez will please all of us on the left - in time.

[Turborama]

9. Re the "big picture", this interview with Newsweek gives a good insight

It's also very refreshing to read about how he's been making his decisions...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[No Elephants]

11. If you assume that the goal of the last guy was to make certain people very wealthy, no matter what

the cost to the nation, the world and the environment, then mission accomplished, indeed. If, however, you assume that his goal was to be good for America, he does indeed seem stupid.

[Scurrilous]

4. Netanyahu heads to Washington in attempt to bridge differences

<snip>

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unlikely to state support for the establishment of a Palestinian state when he meets with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House Sunday, an aide to the prime minister said. However, in a bid to soften edgy relations with Washington, Netanyahu will propose that joint teams draft a new road map for the Palestinian peace process and a new strategy on Iran.

At the meeting with Obama, Netanyahu intends to emphasize his intention to resume the peace talks with the Palestinians soon, but with the participation of the moderate Arab states. Establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and the moderate Arab states could significantly advance the peace process with the Palestinians, he will say.

Obama is expected to support this concept, but will ask Netanyahu to start out with a gesture toward the Palestinians and to halt all construction in the West Bank settlements. Obama will also ask Netanyahu to declare Israel's support for the "two state for two people's" principle.

A senior Jerusalem source said Saturday that the visit was intended to present only preliminary positions. "At the next stage the teams will try to reduce the differences between the sides and examine ways of advancing the peace process and strategic matters," the source said."

more

[Turborama]

6. I reckon this is going to be a very interesting week... 5th Rec

[DissedByBush]

7. It should be the other way around

You don't see Israel saying Iran should be wiped from the face of the Earth. I don't think any diplomacy is possible until Iran and all the Arab countries recognize Israel's right to exist.

[Joe Bacon]

10. If Israel bombs Iran, it is signing its own death warrant.

Which is why Hagee and his fellow Christians are egging Netanyahu on. They want Israel to do this because they really believe it will trigger Armageddon.

What are Hagee and his preacher pals going to say when Israel is nuked by Russia, China or Pakistan and JC pulls a no show? No doubt some more bullshit about "Gawd's Will" and deep down inside their corrupted souls they will rejoice because they completed what Hitler started.