Info from House Foreign Affairs Comm. on Iran

[Muttocracy]

State Department Official Downplays Iran’s Strategic Influence
By Adam Graham-Silverman
Congressional Quarterly
July 9, 2008
http://hcfa.house.gov/110/press070908c.htm

and now
Berman Says U.S. Envoy to Iran Talks Should be Start of a New Approach to Dealing with Tehran
http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/press_display.asp?id=532

Whole hearing is up (haven't tested link yet, let me know if it doesn't work)
http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/testimony.asp?subnav=close, page down to July 9 Iran

SFRC info available too but I won't repeat those posts here

[gateley]

1. K&R and bookmarking, I'll "have these" with breakfast in the morning. :-) nt

[Muttocracy]

2. haven't seen the house one myself except the Ron Paul clip posted on DU

It's interesting to hear what they said just a few days before the trip announcement.

You might recognize a certain turn of phrase:

State Department Official Downplays Iran’s Strategic Influence
By Adam Graham-Silverman
Congressional Quarterly
July 9, 2008

On the same day Iran test-fired missiles in a show of force in the Persian Gulf, the Bush administration Wednesday sought to downplay the country’s power and influence.

“For its part, Tehran seems to relish heightening concerns by promoting the illusion that Iran is on the ascendance,” Undersecretary of State William Burns said in prepared testimony for the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “However, Iran is not 10 feet tall, nor is it even the dominant regional actor.

[gateley]

3. ....

:7

[Muttocracy]

4. the house hearing was first so I'm guessing he got a copy

of a certain someone's remarks ahead of time.

[gateley]

5. Joe....reaching across the aisle! nt