President Barack Obama in the Diplomatic Room today. (Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais.)
by Mark Silva
Following direct talks with Iran today about its nuclear facilities, President Barack Obama called Tehran's acceptance of international inspection of the uranium enrichment facility that it is building "a constructive beginning.''
Yet Obama, who committed the U.S. to negotiations while demanding that Iran cease enrichment of nuclear material that might be used for an atomic weapon, maintained that Iran will have to follow through with other moves -- including allowing a third-party nation to handle the fuel that it intends to use for any civilian nuclear power generation.
Following a meeting in Geneva today among representatives of the United States and other members of the United Nations Security Council, Obama said in a statement delivered from the Diplomatic Room of the White House: "The Iranian government heard a clear and unified message.... Today's meeting was a constructive beginning, but it must be followed by constructive action.''
Javier Solana, the European Union's senior envoy, said that Iran had pledged to "cooperate fully and immediately'' with the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency, and that he expected Tehran to invite agency inspectors looking for signs of covert nuclear weapons activity to visit "in the next couple of weeks."
The IAEA said its director will visit Iran to discuss issues related to the country's nuclear program. Mohamed ElBaradei was "invited to Tehran by Iranian authorities,'' the agency said. He will travel there soon to discuss a number of matters."
Obama said that Iran "must grant unfettered access to IAEA inspectors within two weeks'' and "Iran must take concrete steps to build confidence that its nuclear program will meet peaceful purposes.
While voicing support for Iran's pursuit of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, Obama said that transferring its enriched fuel to a third fuel-producing nation would demonstrate that.
The talks, following Iran's recent disclosure of a once-secret enrichment facility, mark the highest-level direct contact that the United States has had with Tehran since the U.S. broke off relations with the nation during the hostage crisis of 1980.
"We're not interested in talking for the sake of talking,'' Obama said. "This is a constructive beginning, but hard work lies ahead.... Talk is no substitute for action.
"Our patience is not unlimited.''
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Comments
When Barack Obama took office, The United States' image around the world could not be worse. Only a few weeks earlier, a SHOE was thrown at the President (Bush), Europe was almost completely detached, the cold war with Russia seem to be on its way back, and almost no powerful country was willing to join in an effort to pressure Iran. What a difference 9 months makes.
A couple of weeks ago an amazing new study - That was obviously mostly ignored by the MSM in America - showed a stunning shift in the image of the US in Europe.
"The annual "Trans-Atlantic Trends" study found that 77 per cent of European Union citizens back Mr Obama's handling of international affairs, compared with only 19 per cent who thought the same of President George W Bush.Overall, 75 per cent of Europeans have confidence in Mr Obama's ability to combat terrorism and two thirds now have a favourable view of America.
The popular view of American leaders has been transformed in the last 12 months. In Germany, Mr Obama enjoys an approval rating of 92 per cent, compared with only 12 per cent for Mr Bush.
In Britain, 82 per cent approve of Mr Obama, while only 17 per cent felt the same about his predecessor."We see a remarkable shift in trans-Atlantic opinion from the previous administration," said Craig Kennedy, the president of the German Marshall Fund, which conducted the study. "With American leadership enjoying unprecedented modern popularity, partners on both sides of the Atlantic have an immense opportunity to co-operate on a range of economic and security issues."
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6163508/Barack-Obama-is-still-loved-in-Europe-poll-shows.html
I trust President Obama's ability to deal with Iran way more than I did Bush and Cheney (and the GOP media arm - Faux News).
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-eyuFBrWHs
Posted by: sok | October 1, 2009 4:20 PM
This is the way international negotiations should take place, with dignity and respect for the other nations involved. This is the way progress is made.
Posted by: JLE | October 1, 2009 4:34 PM
The WH keeps talking about Iran having to make a decision. Iran has already made it's decision. They want nuclear weapons. Until we accept that, this farce will continue.
Posted by: Matt J | October 1, 2009 4:58 PM
That's right. People of the world HATED the US. That's why we have 20,000,000 illegal aliens, and millions more legal immigrants flooding into the US. What a rotten place.
And who hated us? People who support terrorists? Russia? Hugo Chavez? Now they LOVE us, because Obama will do everything he can to weaken the US and give away everything so he can be liked, and because he is a socialist who hates success on terms he does not define.
Andy survey like the one mentioned is a joke. People adored Hitler and Mussolini and Stalin in the 30's. Even American liberals sang praises of how Hitler was such a good guy. Remember how the US turned away shiploads of Jews fleeing Europe? After all, how bad could it really be?
Well, the guys the whole world adored brought about the deaths of 100,000,000 people.
So keep that in mind the next time you hear about how Europeans thing Obama is such a great guy.
Posted by: escaped from ny | October 1, 2009 4:58 PM
We can only hope the UN exhibits the same type of authority that they did when Saddam Hussein worked so dilligently with inspectors back in the late 90's/early 00's.
Posted by: Apologist Tour 2009/10 | October 1, 2009 5:43 PM
That's right. People of the world HATED the US. That's why we have 20,000,000 illegal aliens, and millions more legal immigrants flooding into the US. What a rotten place.
And who hated us? People who support terrorists? Russia? Hugo Chavez? Now they LOVE us, because Obama will do everything he can to weaken the US and give away everything so he can be liked, and because he is a socialist who hates success on terms he does not define.
Andy survey like the one mentioned is a joke. People adored Hitler and Mussolini and Stalin in the 30's. Even American liberals sang praises of how Hitler was such a good guy. Remember how the US turned away shiploads of Jews fleeing Europe? After all, how bad could it really be?
Well, the guys the whole world adored brought about the deaths of 100,000,000 people.
So keep that in mind the next time you hear about how Europeans thing Obama is such a great guy.
Posted by: escaped from ny | October 1, 2009 5:47 PM
So keep that in mind the next time you hear about how Europeans thing Obama is such a great guy.
Posted by: escaped from ny | October 1, 2009 4:58 PM
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Oh that's right, I forgot. The Repuglican party loves to hate other countries, hatred and denial is in their blood. I mean look at the fake cowboy, wannabe toughguys (Bush-Cheney) that they drooled all over the last eight years.
Posted by: America (not including GOP) | October 1, 2009 5:53 PM
Time for Barry to have tea with the Iranians - then he can bury his head back into the sand.
Posted by: BDD | October 1, 2009 5:58 PM
Iran should not arouse concern. Georgia is the most dangerous flashpoint in Russia's tense relations with the West. The Bible says: "At the appointed time [the king of the north = Russia] will return [will regain the influence, which it lost after the break-up of the Soviet Union] and come into the south [many indicate that this might be Georgia], but it will not be as the former [1921] or as the latter [2008]. For shall come against him the dwellers of coastlands of Kittim [the West], and he will be humbled, and will return." (Daniel 11:29,30a)
Then Iran will be humbled also. "But ships will come from the direction of Kittim, troubling Asshur [Russia] and troubling Eber [inhabiting on the other side the Euphrates]." (Numbers 24:24a, BBE)
At that time, peace will be taken from the earth and the "great sword" - nuclear sword - will be used. (Revelation 6:4) However, it will be neither the great tribulation nor "the end of the world" (Armageddon). As Jesus foretold, that will be "the beginning of birth pains". (Mathew 24:7,8)
If the Heavens planned a full return of Russia (and much suggests this) the present economic crisis will deepen. Then also the European Union and NATO will not stand.
Posted by: Ewiak Ryszard | October 1, 2009 7:24 PM
Obama: "Talk is no substitute for action."
Reality: Under Obama, talk IS a substitute for action.
Posted by: Disillusioned Dem | October 1, 2009 8:10 PM
Time for Barry to have tea with the Iranians - then he can bury his head back into the sand.
Posted by: BDD | October 1, 2009 5:58 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Yeah, Obama should just trump up some WMD lies against Iran and then start the bombing and killing. I mean, that worked out "great" for the Bushco Republican chickenhawks like you with Iraq, right tough guy?
I think I see you in this video, Paulie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFGit_tZDqs
Posted by: Tito | October 1, 2009 8:10 PM
Tito: Yes, you're right. What's wrong with bombing these folks back into the stone age? Nobody said we have to clean up afterwards. If they cause us angst again, well, we bomb again.
Posted by: c george | October 1, 2009 10:32 PM
These UN guys, aren't they the same people you put your trust and faith in with Iraq? That worked out well.
Let's go down that road again and see if things turn out differently.
Obama says that Iran must do this, or what? What is he going to do? Throw Jimmy Carter at him?
Please.
Obama's foreign policy is right out of Carter's book. Appease, appologize, and weaken the military. Make us look weak to the rest of the world. This time we are playing for more than 56 hostages. Thousands of lives depend on defeated future terrorists. George Bush was not in office when hundreds of terrorist attacks were executed against the US and the REST OF THE WORLD. Nothing short of killing them will stop them. They tried to blow up the Twin Towers when Clinton was president. Why don't you anti-Bush fanatics redirect your energies into defending America from the real enemies: THE TERRORISTS.
Posted by: Gary | October 2, 2009 1:08 AM
George Bush was not in office when hundreds of terrorist attacks were executed against the US and the REST OF THE WORLD.
Posted by: Gary | October 2, 2009 1:08 AM
What a crock! it is a known fact that deaths from terrosim increased dramatically around the world during Bush's second term. It is also a fact that it has decresed dramatically since Obama took office. Do your homework Gary!
Posted by: Scot S. Blakeley | October 2, 2009 8:07 AM
Thank for that twisted bit of Bush hatred, Scot. Did my homework; there is a list of dozens of terrorist attacks just for September 2009. You can read about hundreds more siince Bush left office here: http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/index.html#Attacks
Time to take off the Leftist blinders.
Posted by: Gary | October 2, 2009 3:47 PM
Oh, you poor naive little man-child! You're a starry-eyed little boy trying to do a man's job -- and you're in waaaay over your head. Ahmahnutjob is going to eat your diplomatic lunch and let you pretend you got the better of him. You're a walking talking disaster in the making.
Posted by: Liberalism is a plague -- eradicate it! | October 5, 2009 9:30 AM