US, Iran to discuss Iraq: Rice

[bemildred]

Notice the butchery of punctuation in the headline.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States will talk to Iran about its accusations that the Islamic republic is trying to destabilise Iraq.

Iran, responding to an overture by the US last November, said last week it was open to talks on the issue with the American ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad.

Until Dr Rice's comments, US officials had given no firm reply.

"I'm quite certain that at some point they will meet," Dr Rice said.

ABC News Online

[cliss]

1. OK: here's my take on the situation.

The US was in no mood for talks. About 2 weeks ago, the Russians urged the U.S. and Iraq to "get together and talk". China said pretty much the same thing recently. So the US is being badgered into this, so I really doubt much will come of it. Probably not even a Photo-Op which Bush is so fond of doing.....shaking hands and smiling for the camera....hugging his bestest buddy Pervez....

It was almost amusing (but not quite): Iran said they are going to lecture the US on how we are behaving in Iraq. The US said in another article, 'we are going to let the Iranians know we're not messing around'

= meaning, nothing will come of this.

[bemildred]

2. I think badgered is correct.

I think some of the badgering is coming from within the US government, though, not just from outside. I don't expect an "agreement" any time soon. It does seem like it makes bombing the shit out of Iran less likely, for the time being anyway.

[ladjf]

4. A couple of weeks ago Iran announced that it had proof that

the U.S. govt. was involved with Al Queda in some of the terrorist activities. If they aren't bluffing, it might explain why the anti-Iran rhetoric has cooled since that announcement. Other middle Eastern Countries might have the same information.

[HuffleClaw]

3. an utter sham

which will only be used as 'evidence' to further their march to war.