Without a wacko extremists for a counterparty, even Iran's Ahmadinejad has conceded to what a responsible leader does. Without threats from Cheney, his position as an elected leader is further threatened by another moderate - Khatami. From the
Washington Post of 11 Feb 2009:
Quote:
Iran is ready for dialogue with the United States, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday, directly addressing the U.S. administration in his most measured remarks to America since President Obama took office.
"The new U.S. government has announced that it wants to create change and follow the path of talks. It's very clear that true changes should be fundamental and not tactical," Ahmadinejad said during a massive rally in Tehran to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution that overthrew the U.S.-backed shah of Iran.
"These talks should be held in a fair atmosphere in which there is mutual respect," he added. ...
Ahmadinejad's overtures are made under tight supervision by Iran's other leaders, analysts say. "When he speaks, he does so with the approval of the Supreme National Security Council," a group that includes representatives of the country's religious, military and other power centers, said Mohammad Marandi, head of the North American studies department at the University of Tehran.
"They will decide if Iran will really deal with the United States," Marandi said. "It's the United States that should send signals first. They need Iran more than we need them," he added. "Iran can help the U.S. in Iraq, Afghanistan. Pakistan is unraveling, Iran also wants security and stability in those nations. The fact that they now work separately makes it impossible to get things done."
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George Jr did Cheney's bidding. Amadinejad answers to his supreme council of neocon clerics. But simply remove a neocon extremist and suddenly something, always necessary for peace, is possible. Talking.