Obama vows to pursue Iran diplomacy despite tirade

[babylonsister]

Obama vows to pursue Iran diplomacy despite tirade

2 hours ago


WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President Barack Obama vowed Tuesday not to be deflected from "tough" direct diplomacy with Iran despite the latest anti-Israel tirade by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Obama said after holding talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan that the Iranian President's fiery rhetoric at a United Nations racism conference was "not helpful, it is harmful."

"I think it actually hurts Iran's position in the world, but we are going to continue to take an approach that tough, direct diplomacy has to be pursued without taking a whole host of options off of the table."

Obama also specifically singled out Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni as the most important center of power in Iran, in a possible attempt to downplay Ahmadinejad's capacity to disrupt US engagement plans.

"We will continue to pursue the possibility of improved relations and a resolution to some of the critical issues in which there have been differences, particularly around the nuclear issue," Obama said.

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http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h421oQP2ymBAwZ_-7NWD_y1xpPJg

[Skidmore]

1. As well he should.

Give Iran a way in which to marginalize Ahmedinejad and to get more moderate leaders voted in.

[vaberella]

2. Yup, yup, yup. n/t

[Danger Mouse]

3. Good...marginalize Ahmadinutjob. He's not worth acknowledgment.