Obama Could Open Early Iran Nuclear Talks -Adviser

[Purveyor]

Source: Reuters

28 Aug 2008 22:49:44 GMT

WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama could open talks with Iran on its nuclear program early next year if he wins the White House, one of his senior foreign policy advisers said on Thursday.

Former U.S. national security adviser Tony Lake suggested Washington needed to give Tehran a sharper choice between the consequences of continuing its suspected pursuit of nuclear weapons and the benefits of giving it up.

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After refusing to talk directly to Iran on the nuclear issue unless it first suspending uranium enrichment, Bush in July changed policy and sent a top diplomat to join a meeting of major powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia -- with Iran.

Obama strongly backed that move. He has said that if elected he would pursue a policy of greater engagement aimed at persuading Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions but has not been specific about the timing.

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'PRESENT A CHOICE'

"He (Obama) is saying that as soon as he takes office that we have to have a very serious set of negotiations with the Iranians in which we in effect present them with a choice," Lake said in a panel on the sidelines of the Democratic convention in Denver, broadcast by C-Span television.

The United States needed to make clear that there "will be consequences" to the pursuit of nuclear weapons, Lake said.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N28360410.htm

[Wizard777]

1. I would recommend that Obama read the Cyropedia (The Education Of Cyrus) by Xenophon

While it's not exactly a historical text on Cyrus the Great. It does give insight into the benevolent ruler that Cyrus was. Cyrus the Great created the Persian Empire that was said to rule all the known world. He did it benevolently. Some of the benevolent concepts that he ruled the Persian Empire with can be found in our Constitution. Like freedom of religion. When Cyrus conquered a land. He allowed the people to retain their religion, customs, and traditions. He also gave the people of that land rights. Like the right to be paid for their work. Cyrus never used slavery. When he conquered Babylon he freed the Jews and began paying them for their work. The first known document on Human rights was written by Cyrus the Great. We have a lot in common with Iran historically any way. The Cyropedia was required reading for diplomats in our forefathers time. I think that like us. Iran needs to be reminded of their once proud world class past to reclaim and restore their future. To restore that once great Persian charm that seduced the entire world. It even seduced the man that conquered the Persian Empire. Alexander the Great did greatly admire the Persian Culture. What ever happened to the Iran that the world loved and respected?