U.S.-Iranian Thaw Could Be at Hand [foxnews]

[truthisfreedom]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,107342,00.html

U.S.-Iranian Thaw Could Be at Hand
Sunday, January 04, 2004

By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos

WASHINGTON — Could a devastating earthquake that killed upwards of 30,000 people be the event that finally improves U.S. relations with Iran, one-third of President Bush's "Axis of Evil (search)"?
So far, any all-out thaw seems unlikely, at least right away. On Friday, Iran said no to a U.S. offer to send a high-profile delegation to Iran on a humanitarian mission, preferring that the U.S. proposal be "held in abeyance."
But the nature of the catastrophe — a Dec. 26 earthquake that destroyed much of the ancient city of Bam — and the fast U.S. public offers of aid have led some to predict a change for the better is possible.
"An earthquake became the pretext for an opening that was struggling to be opened over at least the last six to eight months," argued Hooshang Amirahmadi (search), president of the American-Iranian Council in New Jersey, and a professor at Rutgers University.
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U.S. diplomacy with Iran is at a crossroads, some analysts on Iran said, adding that American officials need to maintain an important balance of appealing to ordinary Iranians, while keeping up a firm stance against the fundamentalist regime ruling Tehran.
"I wouldn't read any ulterior motive into it, but one of the byproducts of American aid is to win over the hearts and minds of Iranians," said Gardiner. However, "we're only going to see a thaw in relations if there is a significant change in the government there in the country."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Radioactive]

1. politics?

I find it disturbing that people are talking politics when so many people have lost their lives from a natural disaster, it makes me feel sick. You should put politics aside at times like these and help out as best you can.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Unfortunately

politics does play a role

On the bright side the adults seem to be taking over from the neo cons