Ahmadinejad says Iran ready to talk to US

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Ahmadinejad says Iran ready to talk to US

• President says world 'entering an era of dialogue and intellect'
• Remarks follow fresh Obama vow to seek diplomatic progress

Haroon Siddique and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 10 February 2009 10.56 GMT

The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, opened
the door today to the prospect of talks with the US,
less than 24 hours after Barack Obama said face-to-
face discussions could take place within months.

"The new US administration has announced that they
want to produce change and pursue the course of
dialogue. It is quite clear that real change must be
fundamental and not tactical. It is clear the Iranian
nation welcomes real changes," Ahmadinejad told a
rally in Tehran's Freedom Square during celebrations
marking the 30th anniversary of the Iranian revolution.

"The Iranian nation is ready to hold talks, but talks
in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect."

He said terrorism, the elimination of nuclear weapons,
restructuring the UN security council and the fight
against drug trafficking could be the subjects of
discussion.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/10/iran-ahmadinejad-obama-talks

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. W sez: I tole yous SO! HAH, didnnt I sez? See?

you cant trust dem iranistanis!

[brentspeak]

2. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKCl8cN90Kk

[bdamomma]

3. Ahmadinejad has some sort of election coming up doesn't he?

someone is up against him.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. Khatami, who is the most moderate

by Iranian standards, leader who still garners respect from the ruling Mullahs.
He is considered, again by their standards, pro-West.

[bdamomma]

5. good.

[Wizard777]

6. I see Ahmadinejad is taking a less radical and more moderate tone.

But he's right about the era of dialog and intellect. Ahmadinejad can be very relevant when he stays away from the radical rhetoric. He appeals to a much smaller audience with that. It simply does not provide him or Iran with the broad appeal they will need to take them to a more prosperous future.

[thewiseguy]

8. The presidential election in Iran is coming up

[cosmicone]

7. Wait till AIPAC derails any prospect for a dialog. n/t

[sabra]

9. CBS News has learned Iran's President Ahmadinejad has officially asked for a meeting with President

Source: CBS News

BREAKING NEWS>

* CBS News has learned Iran's President Ahmadinejad has officially asked for a meeting with President Obama



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/

[Jackpine Radical]

10. The likelihood of species survival just got a little bit better. (nt)

[Captain Hilts]

11. His numbers are tanking and he's trying to suck up to our guy. NO. He's batshit crazy...

and a Holocaust denier.

He's in a tough electoral fight and is trying to use Obama to help win re-election.

[panader0]

15. There is a moderate running against him in the coming election

Can't remember his name now, but I think that's why Ahmad wants the meeting. Whatever the reason, it's a good thing.

[Captain Hilts]

16. I agree. But it underlines that Prez Obama shouldn't meet with him.

He lost a ton of seats for his party in the last parliamentary election and he has a moderate, former prez really challenging him now.

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. Obama could say he has to meet them both, or neither

so that he's not seen to be 'taking sides'. That might be good for Khatami.

[harun]

23. He is a populist and a good guy.

[Renew Deal]

24. Who?

[Captain Hilts]

30. Yeah, who?

[bluestateguy]

12. Meet with him in Switzerland

Just because Obama said he'd meet with him (and I think that's the right thing to do) does not mean that Ajmwhateverhisnameis should be dignified with an invitation to the White House.

[Captain Hilts]

17. He shouldn't be dignified and elevated by a one on one with Prez. Obama.

A multi-lateral, regional conference? Fine.

NOT mano a mano. That puts him on an equal footing.

[thewiseguy]

32. What a bunch of rubbish. Obama himself proposed that he would talk to the leaders of Iran.

[high density]

28. Meet him in Tehran

Maybe in front of one of those big "death to America/Israel" murals they've got over there.

[Frustratedlady]

13. Oh, great! Now, the Repugs will move up the date for the Rapture.

[Donnachaidh]

14. Good.

Let's start showing the world that Captain Codpiece and his chest-thumping, knuckle-walking antics are GONE -- Diplomacy is BACK.

[Ticonderoga]

18. This is an encouraging development.

[honoluludaniel]

19. Good. Enough of the macho-bravado bullshit.

That's what got us into Iraq, among other conflicts, in the first place. Obama promised to talk with foreign leaders, including "those we don't like", so why back down now? Schedule the damn thing.

[shadowknows69]

20. Not big enough news to end the AROD TOOK ROIDS scandal.

The pecking order is Britney/Sports heroes/Iran.

[peace13]

22. Oh Noooooo and without pre-conditions, say it isn't so.

The Rethugs just knew that Obama would give it all away and there he goes. Doesn't he know that this war machine depends on an endless supply of hatred?

[Renew Deal]

25. Obama should wait until any election passes

If this is just another stunt about going to the Americans and showing them what's what. Otherwise, pick a neutral site in Europe and have at it.

[defendandprotect]

26. Ahhh. . . people talking rather than throwing bombs at one another--!!! Good move!!

[AllentownJake]

27. Agree to a meeting in a European host city

with the current Iranian President after Iran's elections. If whackjob wins we still have to find a way to work with him. If he loses we meet with the moderate guy. win-win.

[msongs]

29. Ahmid... IS NOT HEAD OF STATE so Obama will not meet with him . Iran pres is a figurehead NOT the

leader of the government.

Msongs

[Prometheus Bound]

31. Can't have this.

The neocon propaganda machine is going to have to crank up the hate.

[thewiseguy]

33. The thread title does not match the article

Iran's government run news agency is asking to interview Obama.

That is what the article says. The request has been made by Iran's representative to UN.

[mdmc]

34. Talk it out baby!

[tomhayes]

35. I always thought Obama was talking about ...

having our ambassadors and diplomats meet with their ambassadors and diplomats, not an automatic meeting with Obama and whoever they send.