Private Note to Bush from Hagel Calls For Direct, Unconditional, Comprehensive Talks with Iran

[laststeamtrain]

I have just secured a private letter -- not yet publicly released -- from Senator Chuck Hagel to President Bush and copied to Condoleezza Rice, Robert Gates, and Stephen Hadley. I should add that I did not receive this letter from Senator Hagel but from other sources.

The letter urges the President to pursue "direct, unconditional, and comprehensive talks with the Government of Iran."

In the letter, both attached (Hagel letter pdf) and reprinted in full below, Hagel warns that "unless there is a strategic shift , I believe we will find ourselves in a dangerous and increasingly isolated position in the coming months." Hagel continues, "I do not see how the collective actions that we are now taking will produce the results that we seek."

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http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/002471.php

[Windy]

1. On foreign policy matters, I trust hagel more than Clinton n/t

[TwilightGardener]

2. Ouch. But so do I.

[bleever]

3. An interesting move

from someone not running for office.

Read the letter. He's creating a place where sane Republicans can take a safe public stand against war with Iran.

[laststeamtrain]

4. I heard Steve Clemons on Rachel Maddow's show.

He characterized the letter as a 'speed bump' on Cheney's mad rush to attack Iran.

Your's is good too. 'A place for sane Republicans...'. The Dems need a few of those to stop the bleeding.

[Purveyor]

6. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hagel as a contender for the Unity08 campaign. eom

[Demeter]

5. Why Not an Unconditional Resignation?

That would take care of a lot of problems simultaneously!

[bleever]

7. Kick.