Iran rules out negotiations with the U.S.

[cal04]

Iranian and U.S. officials will not hold bilateral talks when they are together in Egypt next week, Iran's president said Wednesday, echoing comments made earlier by Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Iran and the United States have not had diplomatic relations since the 1979 Islamic Revolution toppled the U.S.-backed shah of Iran. Before the Iraq war, Bush named Iran as part of an "axis of evil" along with North Korea and Saddam's Iraqi regime.

Speculation had been rife that top diplomats from the two countries would take the opportunity of a regional meeting on Iraq scheduled for Nov. 22-23 in Egypt to talk and perhaps pave the way for better relations after the re-election of President Bush.

"That we are specifically going to have negotiations with the United States (in Egypt) is not on our agenda," President Mohammad Khatami told reporters after a Cabinet meeting Wednesday. "Before negotiations, the United States has to change its behavior."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-11-17-iran-talks_x.htm?csp=34

[chiffon]

1. They don't want to talk to Condi...Oh My!

"Before negotiations, the United States has to change its behavior."

Or their diapers.

[billyoc]

2. Yeah, who DOES?!

She, and by extension now the United States, is completely unable to act on a world stage. :(

[htuttle]

3. Seems like the wind changed direction

From the tone of this, I'd say the Chinese have given Iran considerable security guarantees. Lil' George Bush started himself a new Cold War.

Unfortunately for us, much of our foreign debt is owned by China, so they basically hold an 'economic nuke' over our heads.

Yup. There's been a change in the weather.

[Goathead]

5. Yes, the Russians announced today

that they would be deploying a new mobile missile system. Good job, Georgie you've rekindled the Cold War, you stupid fuck.

[Flammable Materials]

8. That's exactly what the GOP wanted.

It's not like this happened by accident.

[Deja Q]

4. And if Iran thinks the US will change its behavior, it's going to have to

wait at least 4 years and 2 weeks.

This should be fun to watch; how much longer can they point and jab at US 'leadership' before it retaliates?

[0rganism]

6. Iran must have made some progress on their nuclear deterrent

or they're real confident the Chinese are serious about backing 'em if the sabre-rattling starts.

George's "advisors" are ready for another conquest.

[oblivious]

7. The U.S. has isolated itself here. It no longer has any influence.

Iran has Russia, China, Japan and India on side.

Russia has just about completed building Iran's nuclear reactor and trade between the two countries is really expanding, including satellites and Russian jets. Putin is begging for oil field development deals for Russian firms.

China has just signed a deal worth $70 to 100 billion to develop an oil field, and signed an agreement earlier this year to buy $20 billion in liquefied natural gas from Iran over a quarter-century. China is also the major supplier of manufactured goods to Iran, including arms.

India calls Iran a strategic partner and its state oil company has just signed a $3 billion deal to develop a gas field in Iran.

Japan is Iran's largest customer.

[jpak]

9. ...and after the Shia in Iraq assert their authority there,

you can add I-raq to that list.

Would a truely "free" I-raq ever sell a drop of oil to the US???

I don't think so...

(of course PNAC would never let a freely elected Shi'ite majority government come to power in I-raq, but you get the picture...)

[Deja Q]

10. I think India still likes the US and that we have some influence...

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9589_22-5439174.html

BANGALORE, India--India's outsourcing companies were jubilant Wednesday that the elections in the United States will return President Bush to office.

But, if things continue, the US will have no influence.

[oblivious]

11. Sure. I'm not saying these countries don't like the U.S.

and the U.S. still has influence with Russia, China, India and Japan.

But my point is that U.S. influence on these countries does not translate to influence with Iran, so Iran no longer has to worry about what the U.S. says. Two permanent members of the Security Council will never support any action against Iran. You can probably throw in a third (France). Plus, Britain's foreign secretary has said war with Iran is inconceivable. The EU is making its own deal with Iran.

Where does that leave the U.S?