Clinton, Richardson Fault Policy on Iran

[cal04]

Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Rodham Clinton and Bill Richardson on Wednesday urged the Bush administration to continue a dialogue with Iran as the U.S. tries to thwart the country's pursuit of nuclear weapons.

In separate speeches, the candidates offered a broad indictment of President Bush's foreign policies, from the Iraq war to the use of unilateral force to relations with Iran and North Korea.

Clinton said the administration has given Iran ``six years of the silent treatment.''

``In this vacuum, Tehran continues its progress toward developing nuclear weapons and increasing its influence in the region,'' she told the Center for a New American Security. ``After initial talks with Iran and Syria on Iraq, the administration says it isn't sure that we need any more discussions with either of them. I think we should keep talking.''

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6740715,00.html

[Tellurian]

1. Hillary did a great job..

She touched all the important issues in just a few short paragraphs:

From the OP:

"The New York senator said U.S. priorities should be bringing troops home from Iraq, demanding that Iraqis take responsibility for their country or lose U.S. aid and intensive diplomacy to restore frayed relationships.

``We have a long road ahead to repair the damage that has been done these past six years,'' she said.

She said she would introduce legislation soon to deal with nuclear terrorism. She said the administration has abandoned nonproliferation efforts, cutting off dialogue with Iran and allowing North Korea to reprocess enough material to make nuclear bombs and test a nuclear weapon.

Clinton said she would increase funds for the global threat reduction initiative, ensure the removal of highly enriched uranium from research reactors around the world and create a senior adviser to the president for nuclear terrorism."