Rice to head to Middle East with Iran in her sights

[maddezmom]

~snip~

The focus on Iran could overshadow efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, not the first time the issue has received a lower priority during President George W. Bush's tenure.

The top US diplomat had promised last month to redouble efforts to revive the Mideast peace process and Bush conveyed the same message last week to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

But on the eve of her departure, Rice said the main goal of her trip was to counter Iranian influence and promote the Bush administration's new strategy in Iraq, which includes the deployment of an extra 21,500 US troops, bolstering reconstruction aid and sending Patriot missile defense systems to the region to protect moderate Arab allies.

"What we are ... looking at is the need to solidify the consensus, the interest of these states that all fear Iran's moves in the region, fear the regional aggression of Iran," Rice said.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070112/pl_afp/usmideastdiplomacyrice_070112061526

[demnan]

1. This bitch wouldn't know how to work for diplomacy

if it bit her in the ass.

[EnviroBat]

2. This creature has done great work so far...

:sarcasm:
She should be dumped with the rest of the trash. She's a fucking freak!

[iconoclastic cat]

3. That's just *begging* for a Swamp Rat graphic! nt

[bemildred]

4. More proof they are nuts.

Iran's growing influence is due, more than any other single factor, to Bushite policy.

[A Simple Game]

5. Main goal is to counter Iranian influence.

From the article: Rice departs Friday evening for talks Saturday and Sunday in Israel and the Palestinian territories, before traveling to Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. She will wrap up her tour in Berlin and London before returning to Washington on January 19.

I'm old enough to remember when we would actually go to the country we were having trouble with. Iran seems to be missing from her highness's itinerary. Must just be an oversight.

Could someone please help me remember the name of the representative we sent to Iraq several times to negotiate with Saddam before Saddam forced * into a war he didn't want.

Am I starting to see a pattern?

[Supersedeas]

6. more Photo-ops and a lil shopping to 'boot'