Jan 29 2009
Clinton to Meet with Iran
Just a little over a week in the Obama administration and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has announced that she would like to engage Iran. Following the lead of President Obama, she stated that the country has a clear opportunity to engage meaningfully with the United States as well as others around the world. Clinton also pointed to the fact there is already a six-party talk scheduled for next week. The State Department hopes that Iran will end its uranium enrichment program.
She continued stating that the U.S. is ready for direct talks with the country regarding it prospects, but says Iran needs to request a unilateral meeting.
This signals a strong departure from the Bush administration and comes on the heels of a review of the former president’s policy on Iran.
Commenting on the President’s recent interview on Al-Arabiya, Clinton said, “There is a clear opportunity for the Iranians, as the President expresses in his interview, to demonstrate some willingness to engage meaningfully with the international community. Whether or not that hand becomes less clenched is really up to them.”
The meeting next week will also include Russia, China, United Kingdom, France and Germany.
