Iran Offered Recognition of Israel, Nuclear Cooperation

[springhill]

Informed Comment
Thoughts on the Middle East, History, and Religion

Juan Cole is President of the Global Americana Institute

In 2003, Iran offered to come in from the cold in a proposal to George W. Bush. Recognition of Israel within 1967 borders, pressure on Hizbullah and the Palestinians to moderate, signing the additional protocols of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, it was all there for Bush's taking.

<snip>

Bush and his various constituencies (the military-industrial complex; the Christian Right; the Likudnik Lobby; and Big Oil) do not want peace with Iran.

How relieved they must have been when they managed to freeze out President Mohammad Khatami, who was trying to bring Iran back into the international community and reduce tensions.

How delighted they must have been when the world class buffoon Mahmoud Ahmadinejad succeeded Khatami and the hard liners strengthened their grasp after the Bush administration had done what it could to sabotage the Iranian reform movement.

http://www.juancole.com/2006/05/iran-offered-recognition-of-israel.html

[mogster]

1. Interesting

I have the same opinion; that a peaceful Iran is the last these guys want.

[rinsd]

2. "world class buffoon Mahmoud Ahmadinejad"

But he is so well spoken :sarcasm:

[damntexdem]

4. The Bushistas always prefer nutcase theocrats.

Sure, Ahmadinejad does appear "well spoken" -- but look at his competition: Dubya. Compared to George, Mahmoud IS well spoken and DOES make sense, all sarcasm aside -- and also putting aside all reasonable criteria for responsible leadership of a nation.

[question everything]

3. Can Juan Cole be trusted in interpreting news from Iran?

I've heard that he was burnt, once when he pretended that Ahmadinejad had not said he wants to wipe out Israel (a matter of literal translation - he was standing under a banner that said "A world without Israel and Zionism")