Uncle Sam blinked ; Auntie Iran winked !

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The US said wednesday it would join in face-to-face talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear program once Tehran puts its atomic activities on hold, a shift in tactics meant to offer the Iranians a last chance to avoid punishing sanctions. Iran dismissed the offer as " a propaganda move ". http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2006-06/01/content_605584.htm --------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- This mother of all U-turns is good for the resolution of the Mexican stand-off over Iran ; a potential flash point of another armed conflict. Instead of being " the leader in diplomacy " we actually see the " follower " at work here, and a very slow and reluctant one at that. Dubya must be the last man on the planet to be alerted to the fact that diplomacy is all about face-to-face talks, doing your best to convince your adversary the validity of your points , or else. Tehran has managed to steal the march here with the presidential letter to Dubya and now enjoying the option of dismissing this porposal with some disdain. Iran has shown the world that being recalcitrant actually pays , and pays well. This is not the brinkmanship battle the world enjoys watching because one small mistake and a shooting war may break out. So we hope Iran will negotiate once she has gloated over this wink wink with her friends.