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Former Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns on why the U.S. should seek negotiations with Iran after the election before military action is conside...
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Nuclear programme taking center stage word is the US is to have one on one meetings with Iran after the election.
My next guest says -- -- to negotiate with the -- before going to war in joining us an exclusive interview is -- Former undersecretary of state for political affairs and professor at Harvard university's Kennedy school of government it is great to have you back on -- show.
Let's get right to do it I mean this all stems from.
Our report that was in the New York Times that talked about the administration saying that they had set up one of -- Negotiations are meetings with Iran they then.
You later came back out beta spokesman command tonight so there's been sort of a back -- that what's going on here first of all you -- from your own knowledge in your own time.
In Washington do you does -- seem reasonable that this could happen.
Well -- remember -- -- -- -- the policy of the George W Bush Administration to seek negotiations with Iran in the second term.
And President Bush and President Obama have had a very policies that are very close to each other.
-- -- both administrations have wanted to deny -- is -- nuclear weapon.
Both have been willing to negotiate with Iran but Iran hasn't been opened of that and so both administrations -- sanctioned Iran.
And have threatened the use of military force should that be necessary and I think that's the proper policies so.
I think there's large scale agreement in Washington that should be the construct.
If if President Obama is reelected or if governor Romney wins the election.
I would think it does make sense for us to have negotiations with Iran we certainly have -- time and space available to do that.
Negotiations don't mean.
-- all that you give away the store negotiations mean that you try to stop them from -- from building a nuclear weapon but try to do it by peaceful diplomatic means.
With a threat of force behind you and if negotiations don't succeed you always have that option now for so I think I think it does make sense we would try to negotiate.
Well I mean if they promised to sit down one and one in talk there's always the chance about the stalling tactic that you set a date for that you keep on doing exactly what you're doing while you say that.
It in essence we just lose time right.
Not necessarily know because you know V the international atomic energy agency is inspecting the Iranian nuclear enrichment plants we have a pretty -- idea what's happening.
In Iran and you know there's no there's really nobody in Washington saying we should use force right now I'm not -- a single politician.
In the democratic Republican parties who believes we should be going to war over -- Iran.
And we do have the time.
It makes sense to see if there's a there's a way to resolve this through a lot of intimidation of Iran through the effect of the sanctions their currency is lost.
80% of its value in the last year -- but negotiations would have a lot of international credibility he would strengthen the position the United States.
And if the Iranians appeared to be stalling we can simply leave the table so I really don't see with the downside.
Say if we did well I mean I'll give me a couple you say if we do have the time -- do we EU member of course Benjamin Netanyahu's standing up there and saying you know we only have until.
Next summer I mean people put different -- -- -- different periods it seems like we've been talking about this for so long we've got to be running out of time at this point.
Now I think that most people would win would say we're not running out of time that when there is time available -- -- indefinite amount of time.
But you know the IAEA reports that -- public stake in that Iran is making progress but is not close to a nuclear weapon.
If the Israeli government of prime minister as you said announced that.
For the time being Israel's not gonna take action -- and at Israel's red line will be moved to sometime in mid 2013.
So there's certainly time.
For President Obama or governor Romney shouldn't get elected to choose diplomacy and that is of the American tradition of course.
We're -- country that wants to see if it's possible share to resolve problems peacefully but let me ask you -- If we sit at that table to make a deal and they they're willing to stop what is it that we're giving them to do do that -- -- just money.
Well I thank you know obviously.
I think that the negotiation will be all about.
Limiting your brand's ability.
To enrich uranium making sure their -- cannot enrich you -- agreement and weapons grade.
And therefore be in a position exchange what I want to know what are what are we giving them.
Well that remains to be seen because you know we have not had a negotiation what was your him to speak -- on this issue.
Way it is very difficult this until you sit down at the table with the Iranians.
Until you know.
What the parameters are heard discussion.
Means is it would be inappropriate it's unrealistic to say -- you give them but by by definition.
Any negotiation.
Is gonna be some type of compromise that's -- negotiations are.
President Bush was willing to have those negotiations as as President Obama.
But we really can't say.
What the United States should offer I would not recommend the United States make unilateral concessions until we know and test.
Whether Iran is serious and we don't know that right now -- -- -- thank you so much for coming on the show have a great weekend they care.
Thank you very much Nextel -- --
