Hagel says Bush Iran/military option talk is an empty and foolish threat

[NNN0LHI]

Republican senator calls for talks with Iran

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N19384298.htm

WASHINGTON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Republican Party foreign policy expert Sen. Chuck Hagel is calling for the United States to open talks with Iran's new president and has dismissed President George W. Bush's talk of a military option against Tehran as an empty and foolish threat.

In an interview with Reuters during a trip across his home state on Wednesday, Hagel said the United States should greet the new Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with a bold diplomatic stroke.

"You've got a new president, a new opportunity to do something bold here. Why not take that opportunity and do something bold? Iran is going to be a major influence in the future of Iraq. It already is. Who are we kidding when we think that they're not? They are.

"I would start engaging with American face-to-face dialogue. We're not at negotiations yet, but opening that dialogue. This is a process. This needs to work. Every side has to give something here," said Hagel, who is a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and is seen as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2008.

[steve2470]

1. Good for you Chuck ! maybe you should take Bush's place until 2008 nt

[corker]

2. Expect Chuck to get smeared soon...

[montanacowboy]

3. When are the dumbstruck Dems going to start saying

stuff like this? why does it have to come from a republican mouth?

Freaking coward democrats