It's nice of Ian Williams to try to understand the Iranian mindst but as an Iranian I can tell you that it is very difficult to understand Iran and Iranians. With thousands of years of history and experience we Iranians have accumulated all the knowledge of our ancestors. With that knowledge we have learnt quite a lot about the outside world. One of the key lessons we have learnt is that we can't trust anyone because their word; even when they sign a treaty; is no good. We experienced this very vividly during the Iran-Iraq war when Iraq was encouraged to invade Iran by the West and then armed to the teeth by the West to destory Iran. All the while Iran had to pay top dollar to get the weapons it needed to ensure it's survival. It is for this very reason and these kinds of experiences that we are so suspicious of giving up control of the Uranium that we will need to power up our plants, the West has NEVER held up its side of the bargain so why should WE trust the West? Just look at the way they negotiate, one party threatens while the other parties talk. This proves that there is no guarenty of anything from the West. Ahmadinejad may be in need of lessons on how to speak politically but his words on the nuclear power program; yes it is a nuclear power program not a nuclear weapons program; are not far from what we all think.

You've got to be kidding me, right? The "Hard Liners" reveling in the bogged down Great Satan or the fact that scores of Iraqi lives are lost every day. They are jubilant! What could be better than their old enemy killing each other and US soldiers at the same time? They will only come to the table when they themselves are facing internal problems. Internal problems to the Mullahs would be regime survival.

The truth is that Iran hates Israel and the USA hates Iran for that position. Neither side wants anything but bloodshed. Ali Larijani is caught up in the mess. He sort of reminds me of Tarik Aziz the hardliner for Iraq during the last regime. My take is that the Neo Conservatives butt heads with Iran and in turn the infrastructure in Iran gets bombed.

I don't know about your sources but I can say two things about Iranian politics. First of all, it seems that all the decision makers in the West do not understand the power structure here and that two, Larijani speaks for the Supreme Leader, an individual who contrary to belief rules by concensus. The Iranian president is more like a Secretary of Interior whilst Larijani speaks for the seasoned politicians. I am not defending this regime in any manner but it would be important to understand how this country works before making the statement that since AN is out of the country it is up to Larijani to answer. These matters are almost always left to Larijani. He speaks for the Mullahs. Yes Iran is testing the waters, for good reason. It helped the US in Afghanistan and initially in Iraq but has seen its relations with the West deteriorate due to US pressure. Iranians never forget history and our history is one of third party involvement. The Brits and Russians were the original players and post Mossadegh it was the Americans. All this came to a a fiery collision with the revolution and the hostage taking. The treatment of Iran during the war with Iraq, the supply of arms and intelligence to Saddam by the West. Rumsfeld's famous visit to Baghdad to reassure Saddam that the UN would not act on his use of chemical weapons against Iranian troops. The Shooting down of an Iranian Airbus etc etc. WHy is it that no one ever says here are all the facts. I am sure Iran has meddled in so much but so has everyone else. It is time to look at all the players' foreign policy and try to resolve these issues diplomatically.

As someone who has spent a lifetime dealing with Persians, I suspect that getting a straight answer out of Mr. Larijani will be akin to getting water out of a rock. Iranians are well know for being indirect and for talking around important issues...leaving the most important elements nuanced and open to interpretation. If they attend, everyone will be scratching their heads at the conclusion trying to figure out just what they said and why they said it. That is how the game is played over there.

You forgot to mention that for the past several years, Tehran has extended multiple invitations to the US for diplomacy, all of which have been flatly refused by the White House. Who's playing games here anyway? You also forgot to mention the current campaign of misinformation by the Neocons at the highest levels of government. People who want war with Iran, using nuclear weapons. No one has stepped forward with any hard evidence of any nuclear weapons activity in Iran, and no one can because it doesn't exist. If I was th president of Iran and knew the truth, which is exactly what I mentioned above is, I would be skeptical too. Why should Iran bow to the demands of the US knowing everything going on in Iraq stems from a campaign of lies, and in which a bully country like the US, invades and occupies another country against the peoples will? No one in Iraq asked the americans to invade. In fact, the first election results in Iraq showed the majority of candidates who won, ran a campaign based on ending the occupation, and that's how the vast majority of Iraqi voters voted. So before you jump on the war wagon, yoiu should at least acknowledge the Bush Administrations gross negligence in creating this disgusting mess.

"That's my take on what they're up to-maybe, sort of." When was the last time you or anyone in Washington went through the process of purchasing a household rug from an Iranian or Pakistanian. Were you ever sure that you were buying a quality rug for a fair price that had a worthwhile guarrantee attached to it? "maybe, sort of" I surely do not mean any disrespect to these people.Every religious and ethnic group have their unique qualities and deficiencies. However, as soon as Washington learns that these people have a certain negotiating style and veracity that has been in their blood for thousands of years the better off we will be when trying to figure out their sincerity. Let the buyer beware!

Please take a serious point to this effect otherwise United States will take a Military Action against Iran and The War will be considered as a attack of Muslim World and all muslims around the world will protest against them.

Why does America's desire to meet with the Iranian government over such topics become deemed "suspicious" in Ali Larijani mind and so many others like him? When did such small continents, countries, become such a huge issue? "When oil reserves were projected to dissipate in the next century or so," most, even I, would say; before that they didn't seem so news-worthy. Why else were the world's governments and its faculties not concerned about the citizens or governments and the voice of countries such as Iran or Iraq until the last few decades? We might point our fingers and slander the skepticism in people like Ali Larijani. The truth is we should focus on our next revolutionary (I’d say even evolutionary) step as humans if we are to survive too much longer on this earth; commonality, one race, one principle. The principle that will lay foundation necessary for the survival of our grandchildren’s children, and the future of our entire world: goodness, gentleness, kindness. Why are humans so arrogant and pompous that we can't find the commonality between our minds and goals to place us all in one common government where we should all feel the responsibility to this worlds citizens and it’s governing faculties; insuring this world, our future, evolves morally structured and found in common good and principle for the success of all nations? The truth is Ali Larijani is skeptical because goodness is less a principle these days; powers, structure, necessity all take precedence in everyone’s eyes, including his own. Sadly, I think we’ll destroy one-another long before the human race accepts that we are all responsible to every struggle this world faces, whether it might simply be their desire for economic growth (considered strength or power) or simply it’s starving or homeless population. We are self-destructing race, who’s intelligent enough to see what we are doing wrongfully or neglectfully, yet stupid and arrogant enough to not care.

Iranians and the Iranian government in general have every right to question the United States agenda and goals in these talks. If it were'nt for the current administrations fabrication of the evidence used in the invasion of Iraq, this might not be an issue. Reguardless, the situation in Iraq needs to be fixed, whether that be through a division of the country and some peaceful diplomatic solution, these talks are the best possibility for attaining this peace. So much money is being wasted that could otherwise be used to push society toward sustainability (in the way of renewable resources). Iran is spending their money on a sustainable resource, and is being harassed by a country that sports the biggest nuclear arsenal in the world and the only country that has ever used a Nuclear arm against another country....does anyone else see something wrong with this?

It is amazing how we all think differently. Why can't we all focus on how to solve the global problem of peaceful co-existence?

Pissing off 5 million Iraqis has cost us 25,000+ dead and injured. Saddam was never liked by the Muslims in the world. Therefore, reaction to his removal was mixed. Iran is a different story. It is admired by most Muslims. Dont let the Saudi, Jordanian, Egyptian rulers fool you. They do not represent their people and are hated for their positions on Arab and Muslim issues. Pissing off 1.5 billion Muslims will be a little bit different than 5 million. Do the math.

Talk, talk, talk. Anxious, hand-wringing attempts to interpret. Just act. Destroy all of Iran's warmaking ability, after informing them they've one hour to abandon all implicated facilities. Inform them also that any retaliation from them will immediately result in destruction of other infrastructures as well. No need to talk further, no need to interpret. End of story.

Oh I think the best solution is, not to have any conference at all. The Iraqi hate the Iranian, The Iranian hate the Isarael and the US hate the Iranian. The sheite hate the Suni. Now that Sadam is gone. Why don't we just sit and watch they kill each other. There will be lesser of the Hardliner to govern after all.

Middle east needs a balancing nuclear power to withstand Israeli aggressions. Until this problem is solved all peace treaties are baseless.

Bush's tough-guy policy towards Iran, combined with Rice's incompetance has placed the USA in a bad place regarding Iran. I hope the USA's foreign policy becomes less abusive and authorotative in the future. I also hope my fellow citizens work on their pathetic cowardice...cowardice that is expressed as a desire for violence against someone who won't do what you want them too.

As an American, I can say that I dislike the current situation in the middle east. Namely because I feel we should not be there. The issues of the middle east should be dealt by the people in the middle east, not us. Iran has every right to advance their technology as they see fit. Iraq has every right to have whichever government takes power. Many say Saddam was so awful... however, it does not seem to me that Iraq is safer and more peaceful after his removal. In fact, he was the best thing for Iraq at the time until they could manage their OWN revolution. I hope Iran does engage in talks to help Iraq. The only way anything will improve in Iraq any time soon is if Syria and Iran help. It was foolish of my country to not allow them to help before.

Wow...what a war-mongerer & a Bush-believer! I really can't believe that we have people in this country that are so ready to destroy, especially when they have no concept of the real struggle. First off, is there *any* proof of nuclear weaponry (or should I say WMD's)? No, there are suspect areas/sites, but no proof. Second, you have to have lived & learned to understand their mistrust. It's genuine - we've never given them a real reason to trust our motives. Instead of threats, both sides should offer & deliver small promises working toward a common goal. One final note: your thirst for blood will result only in more of our own bloodshed. Think about it.

Some of the posters here are aware of the fact that Iran has good reason to hate and distrust us. It's nice to see some of my people with enough brains to look beyond the "Kill 'em all, let God sort them out" crowd. America's hands are just as bloody as any of the rulers in the Middle East. We truly are to blame for a great many injustices over there. I'm not saying the Iranians are blameless and that they will not have to conform to international standards. All I'm saying is that we cannot believe our news sources as they are biased, constantly putting forth information from our government as fact and having it proven time and again to be false. Little better than propaganda in some cases. Before we go around killing more people we need to look at our own actions and take responsibility for them. We need an open debate, televised with everyone watching so that everyone will have a clear understanding of the true facts, not neocon paranoid fantasies. Read a book or something if you don't know what I mean. It's time as Americans to start taking care of ourselves again instead of unsuccessfully telling everyone else what to do.

The world must not let IRAN get Atomic Weapons. this people are religios fanatics.and dont care to use them.if Iran dont stop trying getting the atomic Bomb. USA and Israel should take military action to stop them. all other Nations are only interested in making money with this Crasy lunatic nation. do it now or suffer later when One of those dirty nukes.explodes in the USA.

I will say this straight up but I do not want to categorize all Iranians in this because majority of the populous just wants to live their lives; worship God, care for their family, etc., and it is always the select greedy, power hungry few that tend to ruin it for the majority. To use the pretext that it is God's will to ignite the Islamic struggle against the West is merely a facade. That rationale is no different than the Spanish Inquisition or The Crusades. I will say that if one were to remove the Iranian Military influence (yes, I am talking IRCG here and who do they answer to? - look it up peoples) from providing weapons and training to the Iraq insurgency, 80% of the Iraq issues would go away. This also includes key Iraqi officials not sucking up to Tehran (last I recalled they worked for Iraqis, not Iranians) and the immediate disbanding of all militia's, to include al Sadr's (it doesn't help that Tehran supports him). Additionally, removing that same Iranian influence would cure about 50% of the issues in Afghanistan. It doesn't help that the media skews the realities against the West and trust me, I do not agree with everything going on but when you have citizens in the Middle East declaring that the Sunni/Shia rift was started by the US, UK and Israel, is completely false and ignorant. Those issues were there long before the US or Israel ever existed. It’s easy to control the masses when you only feed them one line of crap their whole lives and they never get see or know anything else in the world – knowledge is power and the only true leveling of the playing field. To solely blame the West is only being hypocritical. Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. To force Madrassas to teach, ‘death to America’ only perpetuates an already skewed, stereotypical view. If Islam is truly peaceful, then there should be a uniting of all Muslims, Shia and Sunni alike, to stand against, morally and actionably, those radicals that destroy and destabilize everyone’s lives (regardless of faith), and hurt the credibility of Islam. God willing (Enshala), let death subside and peace prevail.

I'm not Iranian, nor do I pretend to be. But, I am an avid student of their language and ancient history. Persian literary style reflects their political methodology too, it seems. What does that mean? It means that they seldomly directly say what they mean, but always mean what they say. Sadly, as an American I have to agree with the "rational" few here. The fact is that Israel purports (unconfirmed) to have nukes. Iran, as a counterbalance and as a sovereign nation, must be allowed to do what it needs to. If that entails building a power program and (later) weapons program, so be it. The Pakistani have nukes. So does India? That is a terribly unstable region twice on the brink of war (at least). Why have we just signed further nuke cooperation with India? Nukes are a deterrent. US knows that more than any other. Its why we rushed to beat out the Germans on that front. Its why we continue to maintain stockpiles despite our interest in de-nuking the world. It is self-interest, not the sake of world peace that drives Washington and those others with the power - lets not be naive. Proliferation will occur, another fact. So, the question is, what do we do to help the situation? We acknowledge that Iran is a player. It has the potential to be a formidable enemy (especially if the muslim world unites as highly unlikely as that is). But what harm is there in try diplomacy? Use of nukes anywhere in the world would immediately draw the wrath of world powers. It would be an instant suicide maneuver. But it can also be a brilliant bargaining ploy. Ask Kim-Jong-Il. What America needs to do is forget the past... Iran has not only wronged us and the West, but we too have wronged them... as far back (and perhaps further) as WWII. If we work with hostile nations, maybe they won't be so hostile. That may sound naive, but brute force simply isn't what it used to be in this day and age. We have to come to the same realization the Redcoats came to when they fought the colonies... warfare has change and so has the geopolitical means to effect change. Lets make an honest effort... what is the worse that can happen? Iran arms itself and attacks Israel? Or God forbid, the US? Ok, by then we will have demonstrated good will and have recovered the Face which the current administration has worked so hard to destroy. We would have the world backing our retaliation. We don't stand to lose and neither would the Iranians. Another form of "speak softly..." - Peace to the world!

Brad, your comments are the most ridiculous currently posted. They show evidence you are a mind numbed liberal talking point regurgitator. Regurgitating worn out DNC talking points requires no intellectual process. If you had an ounce of intellecual honesty you wouldn't ignore the lessons of history when it comes to dealing with tyrants. You would also not blame America first by showing sympathy for the mis-trust of the Persians. The truth is they are the force of evil in this scenario. Calling for the elimination of Israel and the United States should make that obvious to you. When did the American agenda ever call for such an evil thing. Wake up, no, grow up, Brad.

Reagon once said trust but verify. He was not thinking of Iran in that statement nor North Korea. These gov's have lied to their people, the international community, and to themselves. I see no trust in their spoken word, even their Kooran tells the islamic masses to lie, sleep with children, and corupt other nations govt's to make way for their cult religion to rule the world. Think do you want to live in an islamic world. Look at whats happining to Europe...

Nobody cares if the Muslims of the world are pissed off. Iran needs to back off the nuclear ambitions and the US will back off completely and ask for help in the region. Iran should not look at complacency as an excuse to try to gain something from Iraq's misery. Iran will be destroyed fairly effectively along with peoples lives if it provokes an attack from the US. Lets not be stupid and thing that b/c things have been bogged down now that the US did not win in Afghanistan and Iraq. Muslims/terrorists(fairly synonymous at this point) have only had an impact by blowing innocents up. Any provocation will bring the whole thing down on Iran and hopefully Irans leaders(certainly not Ahmenijihad Chavez, which is what his name should be, or the Real Devil)realize that and will just let peace reign for a change. Muslims are only blowing themselves up. Nobodies impressed.

there are open-minded people in the U.S, too bad they donot control the policies in this country

Can someone say Jimmy Carter? Everyone is so focused on blaming Bush but remember Iran is Jimmy Carters Blunder we have been stratled with for decades.

The first post said that the West dosnt understand Iran, the reverse can be said about Iran. They dont know how holding a rally of millions with the leader chanting "Death To America" and "We will have nuclear material" can scare a nation. As for St Louis Brad, it doesnt matter who is in power, no U.S. President will ever allow a Nuclear Iran.

To know how to solve this is to know world history. As one and many have said, "if you don't remember history, the history is bound to repeat itself". There are some really good points here, on both sides. The problem is not easy. Iran says it has a right to Nuclear Technology, and it does. But it broke that right when it became part of the Black Market Network of the Pakistani Nuclear Black Market. When you find evidence outside of Iran that is one thing, but when you find the making for a nuclear bomb, a underground test center for a nuclear device, and the people that you received the information from are the same people that turned over all the evidence "to be accepted back into the World", that says something. The NTP allows only five countries to have Nuclear Weapons. Iran is not one of them. They say that the Nuclear Technology is for energy and for medical research, but that has been offered to them free of charge and still they don't want it. Also, why do they have to use a Heavy Water Reactor? Can't they use a Light Water Reactor which, while still able to produce Nuclear Material for bombs, it takes over 100 fold to produce the same amount from a Light Water Reactor as it does a Heavy Water Reactor. All that aside, the US should engage Iran over this topic, and do it publicly. While we (the US) is the only Super Power left in the world, it seems to me that this title cares an even bigger role than a non-Super Power. Being a Super Power does not mean that you cram your counties policy down everyone elses throat. What it should mean is that "hey, we have the most influence in the world. Let's work together for the good of humanity". But then you have Bush, while I will never call him a non-Patriot, his cowboy ways and his hard-on for Saddam pretty much killed what America had been built on, been respected for around the world. Now, we could let Iran build it's nuclear technology up, and eventually they will build the bomb. With the bomb, Iran would bomb Israel, and if Israel survived, the world would see if it truly has Nuclear Weaponds. Either way, the world as we all know it would never be the same. Until everyone in this world loves their children more than they love dying (suicide bombers, terrorists, freedom fighters, whatever you want to call them), we, as a World Society, will never come together. I wish governments would see that the people of the world are more important than their governments ability to stay in power. If this can not be done by all powers of the world, then the hell with it, let every country launch all their missiles at once and who survives, is the winner. That is what the world appears to be headed to anyway, so why play these games.

I caution all of you to keep your minds open. Believe in nothing you've been told by the media or politicians. Both are taking orders from players behind the scenes, and pushing agendas that DO NOT BENEFIT YOU. I speak to both fellow Americans and Muslim brothers and sisters. We have a duty to the common thread that binds us all, and that is being human, above all things. This entire situation is the culmination mans fear of what he does not understand. Fear by the West of the Eastern mind that we do not fully understand, and the Fear by the East of the Western mind that they do not understand. I have read and listened to many things President Ahmadinejad has said. I do not believe he wants a weapon. What would he do with it? Do you think mutually assured destruction is not alive and well? Do you think he would use it on Isreal, and kill every Palestinian as collateral damage? Dont the winds blow to the East? Would they not blow radiated dust over Iran itself? What threat would Irans bomb pose to the US? They have NO capability to deliver it to our soil. And if Iran did have ONE bomb, how would that be any different then when the USSR had HUNDREDS pointed at us? We as AMerican citizen need to get off our cloud and realize we dont rule the world, and who would want to anyway. To the warmongers, be very careful of your rhetoric you are starting to sound like Nazis. Our way or we bomb you. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Americans better than you gave their lives to defend this world from tyranny, and you spit on their graves with comments like that.

I think Iran should participate and as long as we stick to the subject at hand and don't go in pointing fingers and making demands of the Iranian's this could hold alot of potential for smoothed relations between the US and the middle east. This is also a two sided coin, their president spews plenty of retoric of his own so they need to clam up as well. Despite popular belief, this isnt about oil, when the hierarchy of the mideast countries are crapping in gold plated toilets from all of the money they make off oil revenues, nobody is "stealing" their oil,at least it didnt appear so last time I paid for gas. It's a clash of cultures and religions and the lack of ability on both parts to resolve their differences. A little more diplomacy and a little less spouting off from all sides could go a long way. When true diplomacy fails then and only then is it time to consider action.

It's blind and dumb to think that Iran (or the U.S.) would place all the cards on the table and reach a solution. Neither side trust each other. What solution can be reached when the opinion’s are so far from each other. Why is it anyone (most anyway) who post here approving of Iran, don't use their name? (or at least a somewhat realistic name). Rather or not Iran is seeking nuclear weapons (WMD's) is beside the point. The U.N. (and we know what a bunch of panty-waste they are) approved sanctions if Iran did not stop production. If my dad said "Take out the trash." I would do it. Dad=Superpower here. If my next door neighbor's dad told me to, I wouldn't. Next door neighbor's dad= 3rd would country. Basic rule cause and effect. With every action (or in this case in-action) there is an immediate and opposite reaction.

a high context culture

Anyone who suggests there needs to be a counter balance to Isreals nuclear armament is crazy. Isreal is a moderate regime in that region. They are not aggressors. They are not talking about wiping anyone off the map. They have made concession after concession to the palestinans and got nothing but more aggresion for it. As far as thier right to exist thats a moot point. Every nation once established has a right to exist. Every nation that exists on the face of the planet has at one time subjigated, defeated or annihilated someone else to become established.Isreal on the other hand did not. All they did was displace and then offer reconciliation which was soundly rebuked. In fact no significant nation in the history of mankind can boast how peaceful the sstablishment of Isreal was in comparison. Nor can they boast the righteousness of which Isreal can claim to exist. Jews are one of the most historically and systematically repressed races. They deserve a homeland as much as anybody else if not more so.

The fat lady is about to sing and when she does there will be no more chance for talks Iran will be bombed and the world will head for destruction the good book says God will give them power to take over the world so God words will be fulfilled IT WONT BE FUN

Anyone who is staggeringly ignorant enough to claim that Iran is not trying to make Nukes should just shut up and put thier head back in the sand. THEY ADMITTED IT! They are trying to enrich uranium far beyond the necessary amount for energy production. There is only one reason to do that. Nukes! Also they have plenty of oil and coal to produce more energy than they need and if they stopped enriching uranium and cooperated with U.N. inspectors then they would get plenty of energy aid. Even in the form of nuclear power. Anyone who suggests the "TRUTH" is that Iran has only peaceful intent is either a completly confounded imbicile, insane or a seditious traitor.

I guess what some of you people are advocating is to sit and wait for the mushroom cloud for proof of Iran's nuclear aspirations. I guess then we can shoot all the people who continue to sabotage our efforts at that point.(they will be the ones blaming us for not preventing the holocaust)Then we really will be justified to turn the M.E. into a glass factory. And you can bet if anyone gets nuked by Iran then Iran will cease to exist as will her allies. I wonder which scenario has fewer casualties? The one where we stop them from building a nuke or the one where we let them use one? You self deluded sycophants need to realize that Mutually Assured Destruction is not a deterrent to radical muslims it is an INCENTIVE. They are perfectly content to be martyred to the last man in thier ridiculous quest for 72 virgins in Heaven as a reward for killing the infidels. Either wake up or keep your heads in the sand and shut up and stay out of the way. The nature of progress is to steam roll over obsolete or regressive cultures. Its a sad and often tragic fact of life. But the benefit is... well PROGRESS!

The Muslims hate each other: Shiites in Iran hate Sunni everywhere, Sunnis hate Shiites everywhere. Iran hates the Al-qaeda, the Al-qaeda hates Iran. Let the muslims kill themselves.Conference in Iraq is not the solution. Israel must destroy every warmaking means by the Iranian government, if thats not enough, Israel must destroy every infrastructure in Iran. Save the last for the United States to do: "WIPE IRAN OUT OF THE MAP'. This is the solution to the problems in Iraq.

brad : you are right the way to end all this is to stay home and wait for Iran to make amove. we should wait for them to develope or maybe not develope a weapon that can be used or maybe not used. but the thing to do is be as passive as possible, or maybe we should send aid, that's the ticket lets all talk and send aid. that will make all of us a lot safer and if there is going to be any blood shed it should be all ours this way we wont insult any muslim country and they wont have to take any time out of their day to demonstrate.and maybe just maybe their messages will be a little easier to read by the light of a bomb going of in connecticut.

There is more evidence of Iran's intent to build a nuclear weapon than there is that humans are causing global warming. The difference is that Iran has pretty much admitted what they are doing. The planet has yet to speak up. And another thing. When did the right to dissent validate seditious unwarrented vile bashing of your own President? You dont have to love the man or his policies but at least respect your own contry and the esteemed office of Commander and Chief. At least he is not getting oral from a chubby intern in the Oval office while on the phone with foreign heads of state.

JUST READING THE COMMENTS MAKES ME THINK OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT KNOW,HAVE MET,OR POSSIBLY ARE PEOPLE FROM IRAN. I HAVE NOT MET ONE LIVING IN THIS COUNTRY OR VISITING THAT DOES NOT HATE THE UNITED STATES. AND TRYING TO GET THE TRUTH OUT OF THEM IS LIKE PULLING TEETH. I AM SURE THE UNITED STATES MAY APPEAR DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, BUT HOW MANY COUNTRIES IN THIS WORLD WILL HELP HAS MUCH AS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE? IRAN IS NOT A COUNTRY THAT HAS A HISTORY OF BEING HONEST OR TRUSTWORTHY.

All of you people who think the USA is so bad answer me the following. Why are people always wanting to go to the USA to live and they even risk there lives to get in? How many try to get into Iran to become citizens? Does Iran permit freedom of speech or do they have "state run" media. How about religious tolerance? Can you be a Christian or are people forced to be Muslim? Does Iran promote politcal liberty and justice for all people? Do they want "one Empire" run by a supreme leader (dictatorship)? Brian C. - your comment sounds like communism which always fails - due to the "human condition." Seems to me that people need to read up on history.

Some folks who wrote comments about Iran are not politically educated enough to understand the Middle Eastern countries be it Iran,Iraq or others in the region.If United States and its allies England,France and Germany were so interested in the peace in the region,then why did they turned their back to the Shah of Iran who was doing a great job of keeping the peace in the region? Greed and more greed, because the Shah wasn't going to read their hands and blindly follow their instructions anymore. FYI,poppet regimes such as Saudi's who couldn't see Iran's progress in Technology, freedom, and higher status in the world + the Union Jack (read as europe) who was eager to take advantage of Iran's resources + the incompetent Jimmy Carter(Not to mention the state of Israel who felt threaten by yet another major power in the region just as it feels today)joined together to start the revloution in Iran. The Europe got first hand to Iran's market and the US lost its role. After 26 years not only the price of oil didn't go down but has doubled since 1979. The world's silence during Iran and Iraq war which caused more than 1 million dead on both sides will never be forgoten by the Iranians. As Chinese people would say,even if takes 1000 years to get even, Iranian will revenge. It is Iran's right to have the Nuclear Technology, just as all other nations have. There is no evidence that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon and even if Iran was to build one, it could be justified so long as other nations,some which are in very close proximity to Iran have. Part of the NPT agreement was for those nations who do have nuclear weapon to destroy theirs. The opposite has taken place. USA, Russia, France and England have invested billions of dollars on improving the technology and have built much more sophisticated warheads. The SALT I, II, III, etc was just to get rid of their old inventory. Now days with rapid growth of China and India, the west wants to ensure their giant share of not only Oil, but all other resources in the region + the vast market for their goods, be it consumer products or junk weapons they sell.One way is to keep people from advancing in Technology. Furthermore its the nature of the west specially USA to cause war every now and then, so as to improve their poor economy. Every defense contractors hand is involved.War creats job security for everyone in USA. From designer of the sophistacted weapon, aircraft, tank, missile luncher, etc,etc. to the avearge joe who works in automotive industry, to the waitress who serves in the coffee shop. The housing Industry, banks etc, will florish. Why beacuse money is generated and it is circulated. Remember the 1991 invasion of Kuwait which was engineered by USA and blamed on Saddam? It served two purpose. 1)It allowed the US Sub-cotractors to rip the Kuwait out off billion's of dollars for re-building that nation. They were even shipping welders from USA to Kuwait to do the job, as if there were no welders any where locally! 2)It also gave a signal to all other poppet regimes in the area that don't you think it is Israel you need to fear. Your own mulsim brother will come after you unless we protect you!! Thus sell of billions of junk arms to the Arabs. Today, the Neo cons are demonizing Iran, so as to hide their failures in Iraq and else where. Iraq's people were just happy to be under Saddam's dictatorship than the situation they are in now. All of us know that it wasn't WMD that started the war, it was the oil that chenny,Bush and their boses had their eye on, and with the recent signing of the oil agreement, Necon can say mission accomplished. The hell with Iraq and its people. Now they want a way out of the mess they have created and this meeting with Iran and Syria is to save face. At the same time they want to be able to tell the world later in the event they attack Iran,we tried communicating with the Iranians to peacefully and diplomatically resolve the issues, but now have to resort to military action. Dream On Bush and Condi As an Iranian I assure you that no Iranian will be holding flowers in their hands as the american troops marchs down the street of Tehran,that is if they manage to get close. Iranian's are brave people and will fight to the last drop of blood even with tooth and nail if they have to. They will not surrender. There is a saying in persian translated would be " If you are about to go to hell,go like a man". Similar to Death before Dishonor. The fight will be so harsh that will make American's hard time with Japanes in War World II trivial. We have survived over 2500 years and will outlast all of you. You can bet on it. As for Israel,just dare to make an attempt. We are not like defensless palestinans to throw rock at you. We have a big surpise for you shalom!!

Glass the middle east (all of it). By 'Glass' I mean enough thermonuclear devices to melt the sand. Drill through the Glass, take the oil. The problem is we are trying to make peace with people who are fundamentally different, instead just accept they are different, give them their Jihad, and let them see what the true evil of the American infidel is really about (If you have questions ask the Indians... if you can find one) :)

It's so interesting to see how the Bush administration begins to bend it's own arm to find a solution for it's failure in Iraq. If the arm bending is legitmate and not a con is yet to be see. Blaming Iran is the easy way to go. Iran must be cautious now because the US has betrayed them so often in all their forms of government previous and present that there really is no reason to trust them. Action will speak more than words. Yet sovereignty must be respected on both sides and acknowledging that oil and other resources do not belong to the bigger gun is imperative.

George Jr. had a plan to invade Iraq long before he became president. He used the 911 as an excuse to promote his fraud plan. When Iraq said that they do not have any WMD, he claimed they did and if they do not come clean he will attack as he did. Now, he is caliming Iran wants Nuclear Wepean, and he is not willing to negotiate a fair deal to make sure Iran only gets nuclear power. George Jr. is saying do exactly as I say or else. No one can not blame Iran to look after their own interest. Every one knows that having Nuclear weapon is not in best interest of Iran. Having the know how is safe and also give them a sense of scurity. Iran has offered to stop its enrichment, and let the west do it on their soil. This is not acceptable to Jr. because he wants full control. Did the cost of life and expense in Iraq worth the benefits? Does anyone in their right mind thinks that a war with Iran will be any easier. I think it is time to tell the Jr. to back off, and let him know he works for us. Some one needs to break it to him that he is not King George W.. A man who did not want to do his service like others, is sending more and more young men and women to a war which he will never win.

There will never be the "proof" of the Iranian weapons program you lefties seek until Tel Aviv is a smoking hole. Not that you would lift a finger to save Jews, anyway...

Firstly ther might be some joy that the US is bogged down in Iraq becuase it limits its capabilites of starting more wars in the world, but that is not totally true. Because of the US-UK occupation of Iraq by military force, terrorism has been exported to Iran destablizing Iranian borders. It has been demonstrated that the nuclear energy program is peaceful and the IAEA has verified this and also stated that the US is twisitng the facts. By the way there is no civil war in Iraq, it is American and British death squads that are doing the killing and blaming Iraqis for killing each other. Ask anyone from Iraq or the Middle East!

Mr. Williams, These people need to mean what they say. If everything is up to interpretation then how does one know if one's making any progress. If this conference is going to be successful at all then all the leaders need to understand eachother. The future for their countries depends on actions taken now to bring about peace. They need to want it badly enough to achieve it.

Cliff from Freeman, South Dakota should be ashamed of himself. On the theme of enemies killing each other, Cliff from Freeman should be reminded it was Henry Kissinger who said "The only pity of the [Iran-Iraq] war is that one day it will end." Iranians have known war on their own territory. They have been the victims of Saddam's chemical weapons (supplied by German and Dutch companies). They have been the victims of conventional weapons, including the ones Donald Rumsfeld agreed to give Saddam. They have also been bombed by Saddam's air force using reconnaissance provided by the US. Iranians know the meaning of warfare, Cliff. In the experience of most people who have lived within the US and without, a sentiment as vile, debased, and barbarous as Kissinger's is heard never so often as from Americans. Can you keep a straight face when you accuse Iran of meddling? Ask any Iraqi - IT IS AMERICA WHICH IS MEDDLING.

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