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February 28, 2005
Should Bush Use Trade to Get Iran to Do His Bidding?
Gregory Djerejian of The Belgravia Dispatch, in commenting on New York Times Correspondent Steven Weisman's report, based on interviews with European and American officials, that "The Bush administration is considering a proposal by Britain, France and Germany to offer Iran trade benefits, commercial aircraft and aircraft spare parts in return for dismantling what is suspected of being a nuclear weapons program," thinks "this one will be a really tough call for Bush's foreign policy team." He opined:
The fear, of course, is Iran getting WTO accession and various Airbuses and the like (ie, all the very sizable carrots)--but nevertheless surreptitiously continuing her nuclear weapons program. A win win for the Iranians. Still, significant monitoring mechanisms will be a part of all these arrangements. So, and as B.D. has repeatedly predicted, it appears Bush really is striving to pursue a diplomatic route in concert with the Europeans on Iran.While I see no problem with Iran having nuclear weapons, while the West and Israel have them, I can understand the Europeans' position. If negotiations can stave off a war, then negotiate.
Posted by Munir Umrani at February 28, 2005 06:44 AM
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