Ex-Aide Says Rice Misled Congress on Iran: Rejected Iran proposal akin to 1972 opening of China

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/Reuters: Ex - Aide Says Rice Misled U.S. Congress on Iran
By REUTERS
Published: February 14, 2007

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Controversy over a possible missed U.S. opportunity for rapprochement with Iran grew on Wednesday as a former aide accused Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of misleading Congress on the issue.

Flynt Leverett, who worked on the National Security Council when it was headed by Rice, said a proposal vetted by Tehran's most senior leaders was sent to the United States in May 2003 and was akin to the 1972 U.S. opening to China.

Speaking at a conference on Capitol Hill, Leverett said he was confident it was seen by Rice and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell but "the administration rejected the overture.''

Rice's spokesman denied she misled Congress and reiterated that she did not see the proposal....

***

Leverett, speaking at a conference hosted by the New America Foundation think tank, said the 2003 overture "was a serious proposal'' for a comprehensive agenda for U.S.-Iranian rapprochement.

"The Bush administration up to and including Secretary Rice is misleading Congress and the American public about the Iran proposal,'' he said....

***

Leverett said (Colin) Powell, in a conversation about the Iranian proposal, told him he "couldn't sell it at the White House.'' This was evidence it had been discussed there, he said....

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-iran-usa.html

[LonelyLRLiberal]

1. Impeach the bastards now!

What else are we going to find out these traitors have done?

[superconnected]

2. condosleeza cannot tell a truth.

nothing we didn't already know here, just futher vinidcation that we were right.

[sce56]

19. How can you tell When CondaSleezey is not lying?

When her lips are not moving!

[flyarm]

3. IS THERE ANYTHING THESE F'ER'S TELLTHE TRUTH ABOUT??

BUT HOW can they tell the truth..the truth is Iran was in their PNAC plans from the get go..the * cabal needs the oil in Iran as well!

i hate these bastards!

fly

[Morgana LaFey]

10. They are Straussians (neocons) -- their philosophy insists on lies

for the great unwashed. It is not just their right but their imperative to lie to us so that we will allow those who are in the know, the elites, to run things the right way.

[Uncle Joe]

16. I believe you hit the nail on the head Morgana LaFey,

to them we don't deserve the truth.

I keep thinking sooner or later these people have to touch bottom, but each day brings a new surprise in the sheer quantity of their hubris, shortsightedness, greed, power lust and ignorance, they know no bounds.

[IndianaGreen]

4. These people are gambling with American lives

This has gone beyond negligence and incompetence!

[billyoc]

5. The National Security Advisor

didn't see a letter from Iran, a member of their "axis of evil". Yeah, I'm sure that will get right past the Congressional hearing. :eyes:

[Up2Late]

6. I sure as hell wish SOMEONE in Congress would start asking the question WHY!?!?

WHY did you NOT see this!?!? Wasn't it your JOB to see this sort of letter!?!?

And WHY haven't you been FIRED yet!?!? If this IS your JOB to read letters like this, WHY hasn't our so-called pResident FIRED YOU YET!

Just like with "scooter" Libby. WHY would the Vice-President keep someone with "such a bad memory?" I mean, until I was finally diagnosed with ADD (and began taking medicine to improve my memory) I had a HELL of a hard time keeping my low level, not working for one of the most powerful men in the WORLD, jobs.

WHY wouldn't you be FIRED if you had such "a bad Memory?!?!":rant:

[rodeodance]

7. Testifying before a U.S. Congress committee last week, Rice, said......

.....``The Bush administration up to and including Secretary Rice is misleading Congress and the American public about the Iran proposal,'' he said.

Testifying before a U.S. Congress committee last week, Rice, said about Leverett's previous public comments on the Iranian proposal: ``I don't know what Flynt Leverett's talking about.''

She faulted him for not telling her, ``We have a proposal from Iran and we really ought to take it.''

On Wednesday, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: ``What she said is she has no recollection of having seen it. She has said that repeatedly.''

Leverett and others have represented the proposal as a missed opportunity that could have defused tensions with Iran which have grown to the point that the U.S. administration has been forced to deny it plans military action against Tehran.

[rodeodance]

8. ....Leverett said Rice should apologize for calling his competence into question.

......Leverett said Rice should apologize for calling his competence into question.

He said he had left the National Security Council, which advises the president on security issues, in March 2003 before the Iranian proposal was received. He returned to the CIA where he previously worked and soon after left government. Hence, he was not in a position to make this case directly to Rice, he said.

Leverett said Powell, in a conversation about the Iranian proposal, told him he ``couldn't sell it at the White House.'' This was evidence it had been discussed there, he said.

The proposal was transmitted in May 2003 by the Swiss ambassador in Tehran, Tim Guldimann, who represented U.S. interests there. Washington has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since two years after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

[rodeodance]

9. "acceptance of Israel's right to exist"---was in the proposal. Geesh! you

you think she would recall this!




.........According to a copy of the proposal posted on The Washington Post Web site and cited by Leverett, it contains considerable detail about approaching issues of central interest to the United States and Iran.

This included an end to Iran's support for anti-Israel militants and acceptance of Israel's right to exist.

It carried a cover letter from Guldimann, who said the proposal was approved by Iran's supreme religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, and then-President Mohammed Khatami.

[CoffeeCat]

11. It feels as if many are trying to stop...

..the neocons from advancing the next step of
their perverse agenda.

More people seem to be speaking out against these
thugs, and labeling them out as the liars, greed-mongers
and war-obsessed freaks that they are.

The neocons are a bunch of bullies--who silence their
critics with fear an intimidation. All it takes to
topple the power of a bully--is a few people willing to
stand up and not take it--and call them out. Then, others
break their silence.

We need more people like Leverett--willing to speak the truth.

Maybe Colin Powell needs to come out of the woodwork and start
making up for all of the damage he has caused. If he's so
torn up about the lies they made him read at the UN--maybe he
could make it up to the country by speaking out against the new
war with Iran that is being waged.

[leftchick]

12. Was bush asked about this at his little press party yesterday?

nope, didn't think so.

[Javaman]

13. Nothing to see here folks, move along, make sure you keep your

fingers in your ears. move along.

[Nickster]

14. Geezus, what does Condi look at? How is stuff vetted for her? Or is she just plain lying? n/t

[TexasLawyer]

17. just plain lying

[Doondoo]

15. K&R

[FormerOstrich]

18. We didn't see it.....

We didn't hear...

How could we have known........

Who would have predicted..........

But we were told.......

blah, blah, blah

Why do they think claiming incompetence is ok? Why do they have they audacity to say we were completely incompetent on this and yet in the next breath it's trust us, give us more power.....

and they get away with it!!!!

Sometimes I just want to scream!