Breaking News: Iran Considered A Threat To World Peace

I know, I was socked to hear Iran might be up to no good. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (http://www.iiss.org) release a report on May 20, 2008, that indicates that Iran’s desire to obtain a nuclear bomb is fueling an arms face in the region:


AP: Iran's nuclear program feeding proliferation

In a preempted response to the IISS report, the former head of the Berlin-based German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), Christoph Bertram wrote in an op-ed piece for the Sunday paper Der Tagesspiegel that suggested the present western Iran strategy had "failed."Bertram urged western leaders to "review the strategy towards Iran" instead of issuing futile threats and repeatedly passing "toothless sanctions." Bertram called on western nations to engage in nuclear talks with Tehran "without any preconditions." Bertram details his plans for the West to engage Tehran in his forth coming book titled -'Partner, Not rival: For another Iran policy'

Maybe Bertram is right. That we should meet with Iran without any pre-conditions, but I would at least add one post-condition to the talks – “If you continue with your nuclear ambitions you will not see a finished product. Cease all attempts to develop nuclear weapons, or we will close your program down for you.”

No futile threats, but a clear message delivered right to the point, just as Reagan did with the Soviets at Reykjavik in 1986. Bertram should know that Iran will never negotiate in good faith with the United States, or for that matter the rest of the world. Talks would only allow Iran to fulfill their desire while watching the United States lollygag.

It is ironic that this report was released just days after President Bush’s “Reaganiness” speech, which clearly some people have ignored. To negotiate with the current Iran is paramount to appeasement, which is unacceptable.