For Obama: How to Manage Russia, Iran?
French foreign minister sees new opportunities
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Wednesday suggested new diplomatic opportunities will come as President-elect Obama moves into the White House.
In a meeting with reporters, Kouchner indirectly called for trying to understand Moscow's mentality regarding western actions, including NATO expansion, in areas under Soviet domination just 20 years ago. "Russia believes that we are besieging them," he said, also noting Russian public opinion.
He described Russia as a key partner in contending with international disputes, including Iran's nuclear programs. "We need to keep on talking with them [the Russians] . . . if we want to get rid of this problem," he said of the Iranian nuclear drive.
Kouchner reviewed disagreements with Russia over its summer invasion of Georgia and other issues that would be covered in discussions between European Union and Russian leaders later this week. "We are very frankly talking to them, but we are talking," he said.
Kouchner offered an upbeat view of an incoming Obama presidency's approach to the Iran issue, dwelling on the need to engage Iran in direct talks, which has been an Obama policy position. "The Iranians—they want to talk with the American people," he said. He praised the decision of the Bush administration to send diplomats for a face-to-face meeting with Iranian officials this summer in Geneva. "It was important progress," he said.
However, Kouchner also alluded to the difficulties in dealing with Iran. "To talk with the Iranian people is very difficult. We tried and tried and tried," he said. He also cited the Israeli factor in efforts to prevent an Iranian nuclear breakout. "The Israelis are absolutely determined not to leave them with a bomb," he said.
On Afghanistan, he said, "There is no military solution in Afghanistan." He called for continued "Afghanization" of the long-term military effort, and he appeared to welcome the future policy imprint of an Obama administration. "I hope that President Obama will change the perspective," he said.
Kouchner, 69, is a physician and cofounder of Doctors Without Borders. He was originally from the Socialist Party in France but now sits in the cabinet of the center-right government in Paris.
Reader Comments
HOW TO MANAGE RUSSIA AND IRAN
Why should we manage either? It is only arrogance that such a question is posed. Both these are sovereign nations like the United States. And given how we have mismanaged this country why would either country want us to manage them. The truth of the matter is politicians in this country has always been fearful of the Russians, not the Europeans, they have always been fearful of the United States. Coming out of World War 11 the Europeans protected themselves from the economic hedgemony of the United States rather then the military threat posed by the Russians.
What we done to the Iranians would shame any rightous country, instead, we use the fact that they held our people hostage while we held their money, to justify a perpetual embargo against them. Why would the Iranian allow the west in general and America in particular to provide its nuclear fuel.
At the first sign of any dissagreement the valuable fuel would be denied. I hope President elect Obama chart a new relationship with both countries.
simple answers to all of these nations and there people
Just light them up like Hiroshima!
We have the weapons to do it with out use of our nuclear war heads. Just as powerful but less "Eco" damage. If we destroy just one of the country's with out all the press, the crying Hollywood, and all the crap .. Obama... can just simply give the order to destroy wipe every living thing out.
It can be this simple but politicians stop us winning anything.
Take Palestine or Afghanistan or Iran out of the playing fields once and for all...
Then you will see every other nation in these country's saying real fast YES SIR may I help you... What can we do to make the world a better place... Its never going to end with these small forceful countries until all hell breaks loose on them. Talking ? for what to hear your self ? That doesn't work with Muslim nations....They only know one way DEATH....
We tried and tried and tried?
That is a joke for 2 years Iran suspended enrichment, what did they get. In kouchner's mind talking means you will do as I say or we are talking at all.
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