CNN: Kerry warns U.S. willing to walk away from Iran nuclear talks
Washington (CNN)Secretary of State John Kerry made clear Thursday that he was not afraid to walk away from the negotiating table as he addressed looming questions about the Iranian nuclear deal currently in the works.
"We are not going to sit at the negotiating table forever. We also recognize that we shouldn't get up and leave simply because the clock strikes midnight," Kerry said from Vienna, where the talks are taking place.
The deal's deadline has been extended twice, and both U.S. and Iranian officials have said differences remain ahead of a third deadline on Friday.
However, Kerry stressed that despite the tough issues that still have to be resolved, progress continues to be made.
WNU Editor: From Iran's FARS News Agency via through Reuters .... "Fars News agency reports nuclear talks are deadlocked as U.S. refuses to accept Iran's rights on sanctions". After getting almost everything that they wanted, Iran now wants all sanctions removed ASAP. Will the U.S. and its allies agree .... I doubt it. The U.S. Congress will never agree to it, and the French have already indicated that they will not support such an arrangement. I expect these talks to end in the next day or two with no agreement or resolution.
More News On U.S. Sec. of State john Kerry's Comments On The Ongoing Iranian Nuclear Talks
Kerry threatens to quit Iran nuke talks after more delays -- AP
Congress deadline looming, Kerry says U.S. in no rush to get Iran deal -- Reuters
In Iran Nuclear Talks, U.S. ‘Will Not Be Rushed,’ Kerry Says -- New York Times
Kerry says tough issues remain unresolved at Iran nuclear talks -- Washington Post
Iran nuclear: US 'will not be rushed over deal' - Kerry -- BBC
Just who are the US's "allies" on this one? Certainly not Russia or China. As for Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, these are members of the European Union. The European Union views the United States as a strategic competitor. As such, member governments would likely hold the same position.
ReplyDeleteIf they oppose the deal, it will not be because they are allies of America. It will be because they felt something about it was not in their interests or their perceived interest.
With this said Iran may have overreached on this one. This is hardly surprising to me, as it fits with the prior pattern of America's enemies. Iran could have very easily agreed to a written position on whatever sanctions there are remaining place but it would be in writing only not taken seriously by anyone. Essentially the Iranians could have had a de facto end to all sanctions. To express another way, while the sanctions might technically exist on paper but in substance would be over.
Such a situation would have allowed the American team a "fig leaf" they could take back home and allow them a modicum of face saving. When negotiating, one generally has to be prepared to at least offer the other side SOMETHING. What Iran is likely counting is arm twisting by other members of the P5+1 to get the US team to agree to an immediate lifting of all sanctions. While we may not get a deal, it will not be because America has allies who would oppose. It would only be because other parties felt it did not confer with their interests.
I believe the bottom line is with or without negotiations Iran is going to get nuclear weapons and all sanctions will be lifted sooner rather than later. There's essentially nothing America can do to stop this and we (the US and its leadership) need to prepare accordingly. Essentially other than perhaps a diversion to buy us time to prepare it would seem these negotiations are a colossal waste of time and resources. Unfortunately I see no evidence the US is taking any steps to prepare for the inevitable lifting of the sanctions or a nuclear armed Iran. As I stated, negotiations seem to be a colossal waste of our time and resources.
"The European Union views the United States as a strategic competitor. "
ReplyDeleteRussia & China are also strategic competitors. they have companies that compete with European companies and try to outsell them
Every country is a strategic competitor of every other country to some extent.
So what were you trying to say?
What I was trying to say is EU nations are not friends of the United States. While it is true that countries do compete with each other at various levels, certain countries are generally friends of other countries. While the hostility toward America by EU nations may not be on the level of Russian and Chinese hostility, they much closer to an enemy of America than they are a friend. As such, they would gladly harm America at any opportunity and are not to be trusted.
ReplyDeleteAt the negotiating table, they are going to implicitly be in the corner of Iran and will implicitly try and undermine anything that might be beneficial to America. I say implicitly because if Iran overreaches here they could undermine the deal they are getting.
With the US despairate for a deal ANY deal for Iran to screw this up and not get a deal would take some legendary incompetence on their part. To sum up, EU nations including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are not friends of America. If there is a continuum where "friend" versus "enemy" could be measured, these nations are far closer to being enemies than they are to being friends of America. As such, they are not to be trusted. The only reason to even keep people such as this close is to keep tabs on those who are hostile to us and our interests. I hope this clarifies.
"At the negotiating table, they are going to implicitly be in the corner of Iran "
ReplyDeleteFor the stand point of selling product. Probably true.
Why did they want the missile shield?
"Why dud they want the missile shield?" In the case of the US, it would be to defend against the threats of missile launches against us from countries such as Iran, North Korea, Al Qaeda, or now ISIS. Anything we could do would have no utility against enemies such as Russia or China.
ReplyDelete