Obama to Iranians: Hardliners in Both Our Countries 'Oppose a Diplomatic Resolution'

[mystery-ak]

http://www.weeklystandard.com/print/blogs/obama-iranians-hardliners-both-our-countries-oppose-diplomatic-resolution_893045.html

Obama to Iranians: Hardliners in Both Our Countries 'Oppose a Diplomatic Resolution'
Daniel Halper
March 20, 2015 8:02 AM

President Obama uses his Nowruz statement to speak directly to the Iranian people. In doing so, he compares Iranian hardliners to those Americans who are skeptical the president's deal with Iran will prevent the rogue nation from getting nuclear weapons capability.

"The days and weeks ahead will be critical. Our negotiations have made progress, but gaps remain. And there are people, in both our countries and beyond, who oppose a diplomatic resolution. My message to you—the people of Iran—is that, together, we have to speak up for the future we seek," says the president.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6DfZyrT2AI

Here's the full transcript of his remarks:

    Hello! To everyone celebrating Nowruz—across the United States and in countries around the world—Nowruz Mubarak.

    For thousands of years, this has been a time to gather with family and friends and welcome a new spring and a new year. Last week, my wife Michelle helped mark Nowruz here at the White House. It was a celebration of the vibrant cultures, food, music and friendship of our many diaspora communities who make extraordinary contributions every day here in the United States. We even created our own Haft Seen, representing our hopes for the new year.

    This year, that includes our hopes for progress between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the international community, including the United States. So I want to take this opportunity once again to speak directly to the people and leaders of Iran. As you gather around the Nowruz table—from Tehran to Shiraz to Tabriz, from the coasts of the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf—you’re giving thanks for your blessings and looking ahead to the future.

    This year, we have the best opportunity in decades to pursue a different future between our countries. Just over a year ago, we reached an initial understanding regarding Iran’s nuclear program. And both sides have kept our commitments. Iran has halted progress on its nuclear program and even rolled it back in some areas. The international community, including the United States, has provided Iran with some relief from sanctions. Now, our diplomats—and our scientists—are engaged in negotiations in the hopes of finding a comprehensive solution that resolves the world’s concerns with Iran’s nuclear program.

    The days and weeks ahead will be critical. Our negotiations have made progress, but gaps remain. And there are people, in both our countries and beyond, who oppose a diplomatic resolution. My message to you—the people of Iran—is that, together, we have to speak up for the future we seek.

    As I have said many times before, I believe that our countries should be able to resolve this issue peacefully, with diplomacy. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons, and President Rouhani has said that Iran would never develop a nuclear weapon. Together with the international community, the United States has said that Iran should have access to peaceful nuclear energy, consistent with Iran’s international obligations. So there is a way for Iran—if it is willing to take meaningful, verifiable steps—to assure the world that its nuclear program is, in fact, for peaceful purposes only.

    In this sense, Iran’s leaders have a choice between two paths. If they cannot agree to a reasonable deal, they will keep Iran on the path it’s on today—a path that has isolated Iran, and the Iranian people, from so much of the world, caused so much hardship for Iranian families, and deprived so many young Iranians of the jobs and opportunities they deserve.

    On the other hand, if Iran’s leaders can agree to a reasonable deal, it can lead to a better path—the path of greater opportunities for the Iranian people. More trade and ties with the world. More foreign investment and jobs, including for young Iranians. More cultural exchanges and chances for Iranian students to travel abroad. More partnerships in areas like science and technology and innovation. In other words, a nuclear deal now can help open the door to a brighter future for you—the Iranian people, who, as heirs to a great civilization, have so much to give to the world.

    This is what’s at stake today. And this moment may not come again soon. I believe that our nations have an historic opportunity to resolve this issue peacefully—an opportunity we should not miss. As the poet Hafez wrote, “It is early spring. Try to be joyful in your heart. For many a flower will bloom while you will be in clay.”

    For decades, our nations have been separated by mistrust and fear. Now it is early spring. We have a chance—a chance—to make progress that will benefit our countries, and the world, for many years to come. Now it is up to all of us, Iranians and Americans, to seize this moment and the possibilities that can bloom in this new season.

    Thank you, and Nowruzetan Pirooz.

[Lando Lincoln]

Whatever his origin, Obama is not one of us.

[aligncare]

The more he speaks the more I worry. He must believe the toxic pablum he spews, why else would he say it.

Our problem is not that we elected the first black president, but that we elected the first radical Muslim sympathizer and appeaser who helped radical Islam undo everything that was done last decade. Obama is a runaway train.

[andy58-in-nh]

Whatever his origin, Obama is not one of us.

There is absolutely no doubt about that. Obama sounds like a person who not only grew up fully immersed in Muslim culture and practice, but who still identifies with it - all of it.
 
I don't know which is ultimately scarier: Obama's more-than-evident Islamic affinity or his maddening conceit that only he stands for moderation, while only "hardliners" oppose his efforts.

[240B]

It is a laugh out loud joke, that Obama would compare American 'hard-liners' to the leadership of Iran. I don't know of any American politicians who want to exterminate entire nations the way most of the Iranian leadership does.

These Iranian 'hardliners' as he calls them, are the very people he is dealing with. What a fool Obama is. Which is fine, more or less, when he is screwing up America.

But this is more than that. This will effect the entire world. I think he is in for much, much, more push-back, than only American 'hard-liners', to use his term.

[flowers]

It is a laugh out loud joke, that Obama would compare American 'hard-liners' to the leadership of Iran. I don't know of any American politicians who want to exterminate entire nations the way most of the Iranian leadership does.

These Iranian 'hardliners' as he calls them, are the very people he is dealing with. What a fool Obama is. Which is fine, more or less, when he is screwing up America.

But this is more than that. This will effect the entire world. I think he is in for much, much, more push-back, than only American 'hard-liners', to use his term.

So true.