He Can Come As a Tourist
On the front page of today’s Washington Post, there is an article entitled Facing Obama, Iran Suddenly Hedges on Talks. Here is the opening paragraph:
TEHRAN, Nov. 12 - Since 2006, Iran’s leaders have called for direct, unconditional talks with the United States to resolve international concerns over their nuclear program. But as a American administration open to such negotiations prepares to take power, Iran’s political and military leaders are sounding suddenly wary of President-elect Barack Obama.
Boy, I did not see that coming, did you? There are many quotes of various officials, none of which seem to suggest a willingness to meet with Obama on his generous terms. The article states
For Iran’s leaders, the only state of affairs worse than poor relations with the United States may be improved relations.
And then there is a report that, on Wednesday of this week, Iran test fired a two-stage solid-fuel rocket capable of a 1,200 mile range. Right on cue. Later in the article
In recent interviews, advisers to Ahmadinejad said the new U.S. administration would have to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq, show respect for Iran’s system of rule by a supreme religious leader, and withdraw its objections to Iran’s nuclear program before it can enter into negotiations with the Iranian government.
And my favorite
Obama would not be welcome in Iran as president, were he to decide to come here, [Ahmadinejad media adviser Mehdi] Kalhor said. ”He can come as a tourist.”
Well there you have it. It looks like negotiations are going to reap unprecedented cooperation, right?
In the interest of reaching out to Medhi Kalhor and the rest of the terrorists, I offer this cheery holiday song:
It’s beginning to look a lot like Fallout
Ev’rywhere you go;
Take a look at the Council of Guardians, glistening once again
With sand-strewn plains and acid rains aglow,
It’s beginning to look a lot like Fallout,
Immense temps galore,
But the prettiest site to see will be the No-Rooz that will be
As you look up from the floor.