Put this in the “Let’s hope like hell it’s true” category:
WASHINGTON, May 26 — The Bush administration is beginning to debate whether to set aside a longstanding policy taboo and open direct talks with Iran, to help avert a crisis over Tehran’s suspected nuclear weapons program, European officials and Americans close to the administration said Friday.
European officials who have been in contact with the administration in recent weeks said the discussion was heating up, as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice worked with European foreign ministers to persuade Iran to suspend its efforts to enrich uranium.
European leaders make no secret of their desire for the United States to join in the talks with Iran, if only to show that the Americans have gone the extra mile to avoid a confrontation that could spiral into a fight over sanctions or even military action.
European officials say Ms. Rice has begun discussing the issue with top aides at the State Department. Her belief, they say, is that ultimately the matter will have to be addressed by the administration’s national security officials, whether talks with Iran remain at an impasse or even if there is some progress.
But others who know her well say she is resisting on the ground that signaling a willingness to talk would show weakness and disrupt the delicate negotiations with Europe. Ms. Rice is also said to fear that the administration might end up making too many concessions to Iran.
Administration officials said President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld have opposed direct talks, even through informal back channels. As a result, many European officials say they doubt that a decision to talk is likely soon.
The prospect of direct talks between the United States and Iran is so politically delicate within the Bush administration that the officials who described the emerging debate would discuss it only after being granted anonymity.
Two thoughts (cont. below the fold) . . .
First, this may just be some “for the record” butt covering by Condi for when the inevitable shit hits the fan after we bomb Iran. She’ll be able to point to this story and say to one and all, “See, I tried, I really tried, but those big bad meanies in Cheney’s office just wouldn’t let me do my job.” That’s the little red devil on my left shoulder talking.
Second, (my little right shoulder angel whispers) maybe, just maybe, this is the first sign that the Condi has decided to become a grown-up and assert herself against the dominant neocon cabal (to use Lawrence Wilkerson’s nomenclature) that’s been runnning our foreign policy for the last 5 and 1/2 years. Up until now she’s mostly played the patsy to Cheney, Rummy, Bolton and Co., but perhaps this is a sign that the times, they truly are a changin.
You have to believe that this story was leaked to WaPo with her knowledge and at her specific direction. Stories like this don’t just show up magically on some reporter’s desk one day because some lower level staffer makes an independent decision to blab what he or she knows. No, this was a shot across the bow by Ms. Rice. That she’s willing to take this debate public is a hopeful sign. Bush is vulnerable right now, and Cheney and Rumsfelf even more so. Maybe she sees an opportunity to forestall another disastrous, and quite possibly much wider, war.
Condi has never been someone I’ve respected a great deal, but if forced to choose, I’d say she’s probably the least dogmatic of the current wrecking crew in Bush’s White House. Certainly from a turf standpoint she has the most to gain from pushing for direct negotiations vs. the usual “bombs away” problem solving approach to foreign policy at Rummy’s Pentagon. For now I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed and secretly (don’t tell anyone, please!) cheering on her efforts to actually put the diplomatic option back on the table.
If that’s what she’s doing. (God, I hate having to be such a pessimist on everything, these days).
Direct US-Iranian negotiations