Yesterday, Condoleeza Rice extended that olive branch to Iran yet again. Surely it's little more than a dried and withered stick by now.
The United States is willing to exert strong leadership to give diplomacy its very best chance to succeed.
Thus, to underscore our commitment to a diplomatic solution and to enhance the prospects for success, as soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, the United States will come to the table with our E.U. colleagues and meet with Iran's representatives.
This morning, United States representatives have conveyed my statement to Iran through the good offices of the Swiss government and through Iran's representative to the United Nations.
Given the benefits of this positive path for the Iranian people, regional security and the nuclear nonproliferation regime, we urge Iran to make this choice for peace, to abandon its ambition for nuclear weapons.
President Bush wants a positive relationship between the American people and the people of Iran, a beneficial relationship of increased contacts in education and cultural exchange, in sports and travel and trade and investment.
I'm sure there are innumerable subtle nuances to the diplomacy game that make this offer something other than a demonstration of sheer and unmitigated stupidity. I don't know what they are, but I'm no diplomat (can you tell?). Maybe it has something to do with sending a message to the people of Iran who, surely, will rise up and overthrow their leaders if they see them rejecting a good offer? (Not holding breath.)
But here's my personal take on the situation. Iran's leaders aren't the least bit interested in a "positive relationship" with the American people. The last thing they want is a friendly "cultural exchange" with the Great Satan. The benefits Rice is offering are less than worthless in their eyes, and the price unacceptable. Iran's rulers have been emboldened to believe that they can bring America and its allies (and one ally most particularly) down. Whether these sentiments are generally shared by some substantial portion of the Iranian population is unclear. But there's little indication that it matters much right now. We're obliged to deal with Ahmadinejad. That's the hand we're playing.
The nuclear issue, though, is not the only obstacle standing in the way of improved relations. The Iranian government supports terror. It is involved in violence in Iraq. And it is undercutting the restoration of full sovereignty in Lebanon under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559.
Yes, but that's not all. Where's the rest of the story? It's no secret that Hizbollah isn't Iran's only terrorist client. The Iranian regime is also sponsoring Hamas and Islamic Jihad. And there's been good reason to believe for quite a while that it's also allied with Al Qaeda. Again, Iran's intention is to bring the West down, with special emphasis on both Israel and the U.S. Not to play nice (though to the extent it can buy time it has no problem with prevarication), not to do culture swaps, not to negotiate in good faith.
It's way past time to take the blinders off.
What does all this have to do with Shavuot? Absolutely nothing, I'm afraid. But I needed to get it off my chest.
Chag Shavuot sameach and Shabbat Shalom.
