GOP Heavy Hitters Pressuring WH to Talk With Iran -Laura Rozen, LAT

[Rose Siding]

By Laura Rozen, Special to The Times
May 27, 2006

WASHINGTON — Amid concern that the U.S. is drifting toward eventual confrontation with Iran, a growing number of influential statesmen, Republican senators and foreign policy experts are stepping up pressure on the Bush administration to consider doing what no U.S. administration has done in 27 years: talk directly with Iran.

In recent congressional hearings, think-tank conferences, op-ed essays and media appearances, Republican heavyweights — including former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) and Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) — have publicly urged the administration to leave the current path of escalation and join European allies in direct talks with Tehran.

The public campaign parallels private efforts by GOP insiders, foreign policy specialists and U.S. allies abroad to influence the thinking of key administration officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Elliott Abrams, who oversees Iran policy at the National Security Council. Both have met recently with foreign diplomats and outside experts and have discussed U.S. diplomacy with Iran.

"I think the administration is gradually and with some reluctance moving in the right direction," said a central figure in the Republican foreign policy establishment who is trying to shift the administration's stance.

"But I don't think they are taking initiatives now. I think they are being dragged."

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-usiran27may27,0,7708313.story

[babylonsister]

1. Got Diplomacy, anyone? I don't think this admin knows the meaning

of the word, and we're all a lot worse off because of that.

[grytpype]

2. Hmm... looks like there are some Repugs that haven't lost their minds.

Maybe Lord Numbnuts won't get his war with Iran after all.

[Vidar]

3. Unless they have more money than big oil, * will never listen.

[ShortnFiery]

4. That's what happened to the ongoing Iraqi DISASTER ...

The American Chimperor doesn't listen to ANYONE, not even his own father. :scared: :nuke:

[joe_shmoe]

5. **PETITION AGAINST MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAN**

It is with grave concern that I observe the growing threat of a new U.S. war--this time against the people of Iran.

For a collection of articles and resources on this subject you can visit this link: http://reseaudesign.com/research/iran/iran_summery.html

I'm starting up a petition which I will be sending out to as many members of Congress as possible. I'm asking for help to get this signed by as many people, possible in the next month. Send it to as many people you can.

http://www.petitiononline.com/n0war1rn /


thanks,
J-shmoe

[KoKo]

6. I would love to believe this....but I'm very wary of this report

Don't know why...just am...:-(