IRAN READY TO TALK WITH U.S.?

The LA Times reports that for the first time Iranian reformers and conservatives agree that talks with the U.S. on the nuclear and regional security issues are in the best interests of Iran. But, the report continued, at the same time the Iranians are moving towards talks, the U.S. appears to be moving in the other direction.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John R. Bolton said Monday, "I don't think we have anything to say to the Iranians."

Here we go again. The Bushies would rather rattle sabers, finance revolution and talk trash than try to exercise diplomacy. Somebody should have made Georgie and Dickie take conflict resolution classes in college instead of letting them slack off in the fraternity houses planning hazing activities.

The nuclear issue would not be the most important item to be resolved in talks with the United States, Hadian added. For the Americans, he said, the key issues are cooperation on Iraq and curtailment of Iran's support of groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. The Iranians would like security guarantees and a push for a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East, he said.

Strategically, he said, the United States and Iran share many aims, including stability in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as free movement of oil through the Persian Gulf.

"Both sides have demands," he said. "For a fundamental resolution of the problem, the U.S. should engage, and other issues should be on the table."

The two nations "need one another. They just cannot ignore one another," he said.

As a matter of pride, many Iranians would like to be taken seriously enough by the United States to be engaged directly.

Moreover, diplomats said that what Iran wants most, only the U.S. can give: security guarantees and access to technology and foreign investment.

Tags: Iran, Bush administration, talks