Will talking really accomplish anything? Does Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really seem like someone who can be brought to see the reasonableness of a point of view other than his own, and be made to accept compromises? Is it really wise to offer Iran various incentives in exchange for its putting aside its nuclear program, and thus put the U.S. in the position of strengthening a state that has repeatedly stated that it regards the U.S. as its enemy?
Will the Thug-In-Chief regard “incentives” and a “sweetened offer” as anything but signs of weakness?
“China, Russia on board in sweetened offer to Iran,” from CNN, :
VIENNA, Austria (CNN) — As the former U.N. chief weapons inspector called Iran’s nuclear program a threat to the entire world, six world powers Thursday agreed to “substantive” incentives in an attempt to coax the Islamic republic into abandoning its uranium enrichment.
In a move aimed at ending the diplomatic standoff over the program, the five veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council, along with Germany, agreed on a “set of far-reaching proposals” that will form the foundation for resuming talks with Iran, said British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett.
The package still hinges on Iran halting its nuclear enrichment program — a demand Tehran scoffed at earlier Thursday.
“We believe that (the proposals) offer Iran the chance to reach a negotiated agreement based on cooperation,” Beckett said. “We urge Iran to take the positive path and to consider seriously our substantive proposals, which would bring significant benefits to Iran.”…
The incentives proposal follows U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s meeting with foreign ministers from Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia in Vienna, Austria, the headquarters of the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency.