Iran Continues to Play Its Strong Nuclear Hand

The Bush Administration was disengenuous in offering to talk to Iran. They made an offer that Iran has already rejected. Bush is clearly counting on a rejection of pre-conditions by Iran so that he won't lose conservative support before the Congressional elections later this year. So you can expect that there won't be much progress until after the elections.
ABC News

A breakthrough in negotiations over Iran's nuclear program is possible, the republic's president told the U.N. chief Saturday while welcoming unconditional talks with all parties, including the United States. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech later Saturday that his government would not rush to judge an incentives package offered by Western countries to persuade Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program.


State television reported that Ahmadinejad spoke by phone to U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and told him the crisis could be settled as long as the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency preserved Tehran's right to use atomic energy.


A U.S. offer for negotiations is conditioned on Iran suspending uranium enrichment a process that can produce both fuel for nuclear reactors that generate electricity and the material for atomic warheads and allowing international inspections to prove it.


[...]Iran has said intends to move toward large-scale enrichment involving 3,000 centrifuges by late 2006 but also indicated it might suspend large-scale uranium enrichment to ease tensions.

ChinaDaily.com.cn

"As soon as Iran fully and verifiably suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, the United States will come to the table with our EU-3 colleagues and meet with Iran's representatives," Rice told reporters at the State Department. The EU-3 -- Britain, France and Germany -- have led negotiations, which stalled earlier this year. China and Russia have also been involved in talks with Iran. Iran must also resume cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, she said.


Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Javad Zarif, said only that he had received the statement but, given the late hour in Tehran, would have no immediate comment.


Though President Bush has said he is committed to a diplomatic solution in the standoff with Iran, he "is not going to take any of his options off the table, temporarily or otherwise," Rice said in response to a question about whether a military option remains a possibility. But Rice said Wednesday that the United States and its European partners have agreed on a package of incentives and possible penalties intended to persuade Iran to stop enrichment and cooperate with the IAEA.


Iran has previously rejected any conditions for talks on its nuclear program, which it insists is for civilian purposes. And Zarif last week said Iran would not respond to a "carrot-and-stick" approach. "It's not whether Iran likes carrots," he said. "Iran demands respect. If there is to be a solution in Iran, Iran has to be part of the solution." Iran ended all voluntary cooperation with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency in February, including allowing snap inspections of its nuclear facilities. The country insists on its right to a full range of nuclear technology.

More Doublethink Dubya, "Sure we'll negotiate with ya, pardner. But first you gotta surrender yer nuclear ambitions. Otherwise we'll be workin' full down to slap you down!" Great negotiation tactic, NOT!