White House Turned Down Cooperation Deal from Iran in 2003

Out of Control White House Craves Conflict

By paul angelo, published Jan 18, 2007

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With a dangerous conflict with Iran looming, Lawrence Wilkerson, chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell, has revealed to BBC's Newsnight that the White House rejected an offer from Iran in 2003 to help stabilize Iraq, end its support of Hezbollah and Hamas, and to increase transparency of their nuclear energy program. According to Wilkerson, once the offer arrived on the desk of Vice President Dick Cheney, the offer was stopped cold in its tracks, despite the State Departments determination that the letter containing the offer came from the highest authorities in Iran.

In Wilkerson's own words, "We thought it was a very propitious moment to (strike the deal)," Wilkerson said, "But as soon as it got to the White House, and as soon as it got to the vice president's office, the old mantra of 'We don't talk to evil' ... reasserted itself."

Wilkerson asserts that what Iran was asking for in return is that economic sanctions on Iran be lifted, that the US dismantle the Mujahedeen Khalq, an Iranian opposition group inside Iraq, and that the US government end its general hostility toward Iran.

This revelation takes on great significance in light of the ongoing crisis over Iran's nuclear energy program, and the allegations by Cheney and Bush that Iran is interfering with and destabilizing the Iraq situation. It also, once again, calls into question the claims of the Bush administration that they don not desire conflict.

If they truly desire to live up to their responsibility to try to resolve conflicts diplomatically; if they are interested in fighting a war on terrorism; and if they do not simply crave war and military domination of oil rich nations - why then would they reject an offer from a major state sponsor of terrorism to cease their support of recognized terrorist organizations? Why, if they are so concerned about Iran's nuclear program, would they have rejected an offer from Iran to provide greater transparency of said nuclear program?

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L. Vincent Poupard

I agree with you Paul all the way. L.

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Posted on 04/11/2007 at 2:04:00 PM

paul angelo

Oliver, This is not just me and a bunch of crazies saying these things, even conservatives admit that the Bush administration is wrong in their overall abandonment of diplomacy. But, as far as this particular conversation goes, Iran made a very reasonable offer and was completely ignored in 2003. It isn't even as if Bush and Cheney even took their offer as a starting point--they simply ignored it. Listen, if you desire perpetual war and would like to keep sacraficing our sons and daughters up for the privileged ruling class and their adventures, go right ahead. Fortunately, there are still millions who know there is a better way.

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Posted on 01/20/2007 at 1:01:00 PM

Oliver Hazard

Spend 10 minutes at this website>> http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/ (i know you won't because you already think you know it all) and then tell me that Bush and Cheney are the evil ones. And while you're at it, I would be very curious to know how you would use "diplomacy" in a more effective way than the current admin. The fact is, YOU CAN'T USE DIPLOMACY. It's easy to sit back and whine like babies about bush when you have NO solutions.

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Posted on 01/20/2007 at 1:01:00 PM

Jeff Musall

Paul, this is just another example of how this Administration has its blinders on and has always had the same goals, regardless of what anyone else (or common sense) might say...and Oliver, perhaps you meant me...I have no problem saying that Bush and Cheney are evil, and that we have a stupid President...and I think the record speaks for itself in backing me up...

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Posted on 01/19/2007 at 5:01:00 PM

paul angelo

I'm sorry, but your explanation of why they turned down Iran's offer didn't make sense. It is eactly what Wilkerson described, the whole "we don't negotiate with evil" argument. That is no way to run a foreign policy. Bottom line is that Iran approached the US with a reasonable offer and the Bush administration seemingly ignored it. The only plausible explanation is that they chose to remain in conflict with Iran, rather than open the door of cooperation. If you are calling me a liar, then you are calling Lawrence Wilkerson and Colin Powell liars too. If Wilkerson didn't think Irans offer was worthwhile, why would he disclose this information? Is he part of some liberal, Bush hating conspiracy? You are being irrational and would probably follow Bush and Cheney no matter what, so I don't know what else to say to you.

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Posted on 01/19/2007 at 3:01:00 PM

Oliver Hazard

>>>"However, none of what you have said addresses the question of why Cheney would have turned down Iran's offer to give in to major US demands, which is the point of my article.">>>> Unbelievable. I just explained this!!! You are the perfect example of why it's impossible to have a conversation with someone that is determined to believe what he wants to believe. You also are a little weasel with your words, you say "Iran's offer to give into US demands." No sir, this was not your article. Your article involves an Iran-offered deal involving give-and-take. Your title says "turned down cooperation deal." No sir. This was just another of many "deals" to waste America's time, not a "cooperation deal". You innocently say "oh, i dont hate bush" but your subtitle says "Out of control... craves conflict" which is a despicable lie and shows your contempt for the white house regardless of policy. You, paul, are a lost cause.

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Posted on 01/19/2007 at 2:01:00 PM

paul angelo

Oliver, there has been no genuine offer made because the disagreement has little to do with the things you mention. Iran is insistent upon keeping up a nuclear ENERGY program, which is their right, just as it is Israels right to do so, for example. Also, there is no evidence that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons at this time. Therefore, demanding that they cease a completely legal program is a non-starter, and therefore the complete opposite of diplomacy. However, none of what you have said addresses the question of why Cheney would have turned down Iran's offer to give in to major US demands, which is the point of my article.

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Posted on 01/19/2007 at 2:01:00 PM

Oliver Hazard

March 21, 2005>>> "In return for Iran's agreement to temporarily cease the work needed to produce a nuclear bomb, President Bush has agreed to allow Iran to buy civilian airplane parts, and to drop opposition to Iran's membership in the World Trade Organization." This is what you want, right? Surely this will bring peace. HOO-RAY for Bush! Funny, i dont always agree with bush, but even when he does what YOU want him to, you still find a way to disagree.

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