January 29, 2009

By Ted Belman

Normally in any adversarial situation like a lawsuit, the weaker party raises the issue of settlement and makes the first offer.

‘US drafts conciliatory letter to Iran’

The Obama administration is preparing a letter to Iran intended to warm relations and pave the way for direct talks between Washington and Teheran, The Guardian reported Thursday.

Work on the document reportedly began immediately following the November election, upon receipt of a letter of congratulations sent to the elected president by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Diplomats quoted by the paper said the letter, which has seen several drafts so far, would aim to change the US tone towards Iran and offer a different stance on relations between the nations. In it, Obama would seek to assure Teheran that the US is not interested in toppling the Islamic regime, but only to see a change in its conduct.

While its tone is described as conciliatory, the letter also calls on Iran to stop sponsoring terror.

Iran: US policy must ‘profoundly change’

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Wednesday for “profound changes” in US foreign policy - including an end to support for Israel and an apology to the Islamic republic for past misdeeds.

Ahmadinejad also urged Washington to withdraw its troops stationed around the world. He said Iran would be closely watching what President Barack Obama’s new administration does and would welcome a real shift in its approach.

“Change means giving up support for the rootless, uncivilized, fabricated, murdering … Zionists and letting the Palestinian nation decide its own destiny,” Ahmadinejad said. “Change means putting an end to US military presence in (different parts of) the world.”

His comments come as Obama was reaching out to Muslims. The new US president has stressed the importance of engaging Iran. In his inaugural address, Obama addressed leaders of hostile nations by saying “we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

So who do you think is speaking from a position of strength? Certainly not the US.

At the same time Netanyahu is saying that Iran is the first order of business and he doesn’t mean kissing ass but kicking ass.