Sen Obama, Rev Jackson, Reality Calling

In his never ending quest for a microphone or a television camera the Reverend Jesse Jackson has informed the world that Obama will remake the Mideast. In the course of this globe shaking activity, the Reverend Jackson opined that he fully supported the long-advanced position of Senator Obama that talks without preconditions between the President of the United States and the Mullah-in-Chief of Iraq are both necessary and proper.

Apparently neither the Reverend Jackson nor all-but-inaugurated Obama have bothered to ask the folks running the Islamic Republic of Iran what their take on precondition free talks might be. The Iranian government has rectified this oversight.

It turns out that the mullahocracy has a couple of preconditions of its own which must be met before there could be any meaningful direct conversations between itself and the US government. The position came in an exclusive interview between Vice President for Media Affairs Mehdi Kalhor and Fars News Agency. (http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8707210851)

There are only two stated conditions. But, they are doozies!

According to Fars the VP averred that as long as there were US troops in the region and the US continued to support the "Zionist Entity," there was no possibility for talks.

So, to have the Obamaesque talks without preconditions all the United States must do is retract all forces from the "region" however broadly the statesmen in Tehran might define it and stop all support of whatsoever nature for the State of Israel.

And, why, pray tell, Mr Vice President should the US undertake these two adjustments in its policy?

The VP asserted, "It is the Americans who are in dire need of reestablishing ties with Iran."

Oh, really, just how did you and your mates in the Islamic Republic's hierarchy come to that conclusion?

The VP did not deign to dilate on his assertion but merely piled a second on top of the first according to the Fars account. "Iran is not obliged to reestablish ties with the U.S."

Neither, the Geek hastens to add, is the US under any obligation to reestablish ties with Iran and may not benefit in the slightest from any ties should they be established.

The reciprocity aspect of international relations eluded the Vice President for Media Affairs. That is not surprising considering the breathtaking arrogance of his next comment to the gentleman of the Iranian press. "If they take our advice, grounds for such talks would be well prepared." (Quotes in original.)

At least the Veep for sweet talk was honest in his final remark. "It is stupidity to hold talks without any change in U.S. attitude."

So, let's see if the Geek has it right. To achieve the Obama-Jackson goal of no-precondition talks with Iran all the US has to do is this. Get the hell out of the Mideast and Persian Gulf region as defined by Tehran. Toss Israel over the side. Say, gosh a rootie, mullahs, you are right, a peace loving Mahdi Bomb is a great idea.

Yes. Yes. And, yes. Those big three and maybe a bunch of other minor adjustments of American attitude would prepare the ground for talks.

As has been indicated in previous posts, the Geek is no fan of US policy regarding Israel over the past forty-five or so years. Likewise, he is not convinced that the all sanctions, all the time approach to the unpleasant behaviour of Iran is the best approach, simply that it is better than war at this time.

Be that as it may, the idea of precondition free talks with a regime which can take the positions adumbrated by its VP for Media Affairs is preposterous on the face. One need not be a world class diplomat to realise that.

Evidently one needs more experience in diplomatic matters than the Reverend Jackson to connect the dots. Can the same be said about Senator Obama?