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Home › Politics

Politics | 03/05/2009 5:15 pm

Clinton Inviting Iran for Afghanistan Conference

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© Getty Images

In a move that’s sure to infuriate conservatives, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today suggested the United Nations sponsor an international conference on Afghanistan and — gasp! — invite its bellicose neighbor, Iran.

Insisting the conference will be "a way to bring all the stakeholders and interested parties together," Clinton said she hopes that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon could open the talks: "We hope that this meeting could provide an opportunity to reach a common set of principles, perhaps embodied in a chairman’s statement, on a common way forward."

The secretary continued, "It is expected that Iran would be invited as a neighbor of Afghanistan." President Obama and his administration have been criticized by the right for what some people perceive to be their willingness to engage with Iran, a nation that has repeatedly threatened the United States and its ally, Israel.

Read more about: Afghanistan, Ban Ki-moon, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, International, Iran, News, Politics, U.S., United Nations

7 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

MelBerg

Well it is about time, what is so wrong with talking to Iran? We talk with Russia and I don’t think they are our friend. Talk is cheap and maybe we can come to some sort of agreement that will benefit everyone…who knows but if you don’t try you will never know.

By MelBerg on 03/05/2009 5:46 pm
MsDee1
I think this is a great idea.  Multi-lateral talks…always a good approach.
By MsDee1 on 03/05/2009 7:10 pm
MaurineH
This is a strong, smart decision. I have never understood why we should refuse to talk with the Iranian government and include them in international conferences, regardless of their bellicose rhetoric. We share what has become an increasingly small planet because of sophisticated technological and military capabilities. An exchange of words is preferable to an exchange military might.
By MaurineH on 03/06/2009 12:30 am
deberB
I can’t see how it will be helpful to invite Iran to the table to discuss a very difficult situation that is mostly about various Sunni tribal groups.   Iran has not shown itself to be a responsible or even helpful voice either in Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza or Lebanon.   I fear the result will be yet another embarrassment to the Obama administration and its, thus far, naive foreign policy overtures.
By deberB on 03/06/2009 6:05 am
cajp
How can Iran not have shown itself to be a helpful voice, have we ever engaged Iran in any talks before?  How can you be so negative about something that has never been done, surely talks with other countries who have an interest in that region should be welcomed.  Does that name "The Axis of Evil" still hold so true for people who supported the Bush admin that they can’t get beyond that idea and move forward, there is nothing embarrassing about trying something new that could possibly work.  Doing nothing and letting the chips fall where they may is irresponsible when there is a chance of having better relations with Iran and other countries around the world.  Obama and Clinton are forward in their thinking and see opportunities to try and bridge that gap of the past by not alienating countries we may not like and engage conversation with them to try and work together for the good.  Lets face it the Bush admin had no foreign policy as such, no diplomacy was required just a case of "do as we say" or else!  That is why our standing around the world went down the pan and that kind of attitude got us nowhere only made more enemies for us, so it’s time to remove that old line of thinking and try something new.
By cajp on 03/06/2009 8:57 am
deberB

Well, good morning, caj p, and top of the day to ya. 

As long as Western countries do not undersand that Eastern culture is much prouder, more rebellious and unbending - the kind of temper that will only oppose more if it is challenged or feels in any way some kind of will for domination from the party in front of them - progress in relationships will remain very unlikely. Easterners may turn out to be surprisingly “submissive” if they feel that their will is respected.

So, let us sit back and see if it works.  Because it is Iran, I’m skeptical.  

By deberB on 03/06/2009 9:30 am
fp1
Tell me something if you will:  how can talking to a nation in the mid-east that supplies aid, money and arms to Hamas and Hizbollah and has long-range missles and possible nuclear capability be counter-productive?  As for your take on Iran and eastern culture, I find it singularly ill-informed and wrong. Or could you be speaking of Israel?  Now that would be correct.
By fp1 on 03/06/2009 10:12 am