Kerry: US energy independence would pressure Iran

[ProSense]

INTERVIEW-Kerry: US energy independence would pressure Iran

Wed Jun 24, 2009

* Senator recommends driving oil price down

* War of rhetoric would be unproductive, Kerry says

* Says climate change bill would help cut oil use

By Susan Cornwell

WASHINGTON, June 24 (Reuters) - The best U.S. option for pressuring Iran's hard-line government is to drive down oil prices by reducing America's dependence on imported energy, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Wednesday.

In an interview with Reuters, Senator John Kerry said a rhetorical war with Tehran over its violent crackdown on protests following the June 12 election would be ineffective.

President Barack Obama on Tuesday sharpened his criticism of Iran's clampdown on protesters, saying he was appalled and outraged by it. But he continued to try to walk a fine line and avoid the appearance of meddling in Iran's affairs.

"In this case the most significant thing we could do is drive the price of oil down by guaranteeing that we are more energy independent and have a stronger energy policy," Kerry said. "Because Iran is in serious trouble if the price of oil is under 50 bucks and heading downwards.

"So if you want leverage, and different attitudes in Iran, that's a very significant way we could have an impact. Far more than sitting around figuring out what to say to them, or engaging in a public, rhetorical back-and-forth which will do nothing to alter their direction."

Kerry linked the suppression of protests in Iran, the world's fifth largest crude exporter, with the need for Congress to pass legislation reducing U.S. reliance on oil.

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[ProSense]

1. Experts Tell Senate Panel that Opposition Movement in Iran Likely Will Continue

Experts Tell Senate Panel that Opposition Movement in Iran Likely Will Continue

By Cindy Saine
Washington
24 June 2009

Several experts on Iran spoke at a roundtable held by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Wednesday on the ongoing political crisis in that country and options for U.S foreign policy. They agreed that despite the Iranian government's crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, the opposition movement in Iran is far from over.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, Democrat John Kerry said the events in Iran since the country's disputed June 12 election have prompted U.S. and international outrage over the Iranian government's crackdown and sympathy for opposition demonstrators who are demanding a full investigation of the vote.

Kerry said President Barack Obama has delivered a well-calibrated official U.S. response.

"But if we truly hope to empower moderates rather than merely score rhetorical points, we have to recognize how our words are heard half a world away," said Senator Kerry. "America has a long and troubled history with Iran."

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[YvonneCa]

8. I remember Senator Kerry saying...years ago...

...how the US funds both sides of this 'war on terror.' Becoming energy independent puts a stop to that. I haven't seen the roundtable discussion yet, but I am looking forward to it.

[blm]

11. The Iran-Iraq war always deserved THOROUGH SCRUTINY. Again, Kerry's work for this nation

was undermined by members of his own party working for the Machine while acting as if the facts were too uncomfortable to expose further to the American people. Move on......Move on.

[Cha]

2. Ooooops! That would be a win win win

situation~:bounce:

[ProSense]

4. Yes, it would be. n/t

[politicasista]

3. kick

:kick: :patriot:

[Luftmensch067]

5. That was an AMAZING roundtable discussion today!

Everyone should watch it. K&R!!!:kick:

[blm]

6. For nearly a decade Kerry has been saying renewable energy IS a National Security issue.

The Neanderthals can't wrap their brains around even that simple a truth.

[wisteria]

7. And, he has been right all along. The power people behind big oil

fight all attempts to change the status quo.

[karynnj]

9. Reducing oil demand and price, would lessen the power of many nations

in that area - as well as help on global warming. John and Teresa Kerry have fought for that since they met at the Rio Conference.

[karynnj]

10. Kerry's hearing yesterday really is worth watching

He and his staff put together a very diverse panel and it was run as a roundtable which allows for ideas expressed by one expert to be politely challenged, supported, qualified by others.
Here's a link - it starts 36 minutes in - http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/2009/hrg090624a.html