Where are the Grownups?

Iran's Supreme Leader Sees No Benefit in U.S. Talks
By REUTERS

Filed at 8:43 a.m. ET

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday that talks with the United States would not benefit the Islamic Republic, which is embroiled in a dispute over its nuclear program with the West.

Washington has offered to join the European Union's direct talks with Iran if Tehran agrees to halt its uranium enrichment work. The demand was made in a package that has the backing of six world powers but Iran has not yet replied.

``Negotiating with America does not have any benefit for us and we do not need such negotiations,'' Khamenei was quoted as saying by state television.

Iran denies Western claims that it aims to produce nuclear weapons, saying it is only seeking atomic power.

The U.S. offer to join talks was viewed as a major policy change in Washington, which has not had diplomatic ties with Tehran since 1980. Some analysts, particularly in the West, viewed it as a possible deal clincher.

But Iranian officials have said they remain suspicious of U.S. intentions. Analysts said Khamenei's remarks might indicate pessimism in the leadership that such talks would yield results and sent a message that Iran was not in a rush to meet.

Given that Bush hands out ultimata rather than offering negotiations, I can understand Tehran's reluctance:

Bush: Iran must stop uranium enrichment

Monday, June 19, 2006 Posted: 1509 GMT (2309 HKT)

KINGS POINT, New York (AP) -- President Bush said Monday the United States will not waver in demanding that Tehran suspend all uranium enrichment-related activity before America would join international talks to resolve the nuclear standoff.

"Nuclear weapons in the hands of this regime would be a grave threat to people everywhere," Bush said on the eve of a trip to Europe.

Bush said the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia have adopted a unified approach to resolve the impasse with Iran diplomatically. He said that Iran must "fully and verifiably suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities" before the United States will join in negotiations with Iran.

"Iran's leaders have a clear choice: We hope they will accept our offer and voluntarily suspend these activities so we can work out an agreement that will bring Iran real benefits," the president said. "If Iran's leaders reject our offer, it will result in action before the Security Council, further isolation from the world and progressively stronger political and economic sanctions."

Baby Bush doesn't understand that there is a difference between serious negotiations and non-negotiable demands. Like a spoiled child, he expects to simply get his own way, or else. This is embarassing.