Condi’s Double Standard: I Can Chat With Iranians But Khalilzad Can’t
Condi’s Double Standard: I Can Chat With Iranians But Khalilzad Can’t
On January 27, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, UN Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad participated in a panel discussion on Iranian foreign policy alongside two Iranian officials – Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, and aide to President Ahmadinejad, Samare Hashemi — without authorization from the Bush administration. While previous reports noted that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was “angered” by Khalilzad’s move, Reuters reports today that Rice has now personally “chastized” Khalilzad for the appearance:
Rice summoned Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad to the State Department on Monday for him to explain his attendance at the meeting, which irked the White House and was not cleared beforehand. The United States does not have diplomatic ties with Tehran.
“I think everyone agrees that these things should be coordinated and it should have been coordinated,” Rice told reporters traveling with her to London where she will have talks on Afghanistan.
Khalilzad did not speak directly to Mottaki or Hashemi and “stuck to the administration playbook” on Iran policy during the Davos panel.
Rice’s criticism of Khalilzad stands as a glaring double standard. At a conference on Iraq in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt last May, Rice exchanged “pleasantries” and talked about ice cream with Mottaki during a private lunch:
On Friday, The Iranian foreign minister entered the lunch, greeting the gathered diplomats with the Arabic phrase, `”As-salama aleikum,” a Muslim greeting often used by Iran’s Farsi speakers meaning “Peace be upon you,” according to an Iraqi official who was present.
Rice replied to him in English, “Hello,” then added, “Your English is better than my Arabic,” according to the Iraqi official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the lunch was private.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit then piped in, telling Mottaki, “We want to warm the atmosphere some.”
Mottaki smiled and replied in English with a saying, “In Russia, they eat ice cream in winter because it’s warmer than the weather” – more or less meaning, “You take whatever atmosphere-warming you can get.”
“That’s true,” Rice replied, according to the Iraqi official.
Did President Bush “authorize” Rice to discuss ice cream with the Iranian foreign minister back in May? Rice’s message to Khalilzad seems to be: “Do as I say and not as I do.”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Rice replied to him in English, “Hello,†then added, “Your English is better than my Arabic,†according to the Iraqi official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the lunch was private.
Wrong, Condi. The correct response is “wa ‘alaikom as-salaam.” “And upon you peace.” It’s really easy. You don’t even have to pronounce the ‘ayn if you don’t want to. Just say it as a vowel.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pmAnd he should be listening to Rice because….????
Every move this criminal adminstration is wrong, so why should anyone care what the hell they think.
Buck Fush
February 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pmYeah, ….er, um, … you could…
But you WON’T, so perhaps a hearty STFU would be in order….
February 6th, 2008 at 1:26 pmSure, Condi., as if you would anyway.
A∞Ω
February 6th, 2008 at 1:29 pmHow do we continue our path towards global domination if they won’t do as we say! (stomping foot)
Can we please have our country back now? I am so tired of these war mongering, world dominating jerks. SHOOO! GO AWAY!!
February 6th, 2008 at 1:31 pmHere is the Wikipedia definition of Khalilzad’s job:
The United States Ambassador to the United Nations (full title: Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations, also known as the U.S. Permanent Representative, or “Perm Rep”, to the United Nations) is the leader of the United States’ delegation to the United Nations. As such, he/she is charged with representing the United States on the UN Security Council, as well as being the representative of the United States in all plenary meetings of the General Assembly except in the rare situation in which a superior officer of the United States (such as the U.S. Secretary of State or the President of the United States) is present. Like all United States ambassadors, he/she must be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
From what it says here, it doesn’t sound like Condi is Khalilzad’s boss, so where does she get off criticizing him?
February 6th, 2008 at 1:33 pmYeah right. She sets the rules for everybody like Bush…wrong on both counts. Condi you’re old news and you haven’t done a thing for “your people” except whore for Bush. Shame Condi Shame.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:34 pmWhat could be worse than being bawled out by a gross incompetent?
February 6th, 2008 at 1:37 pmFrom what it says here, it doesn’t sound like Condi is Khalilzad’s boss, so where does she get off criticizing him?
Comment by bilbobaggins — February 6, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
She is, actually, ato the State Department’s org chart:
February 6th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I’d be surprised if Condi didn’t have to work her way back up the professorial ranks at Stanford after playing such a key role in our national deterioration.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:41 pmI’m with you toasterhead. You’d think she could at least find the time to be able to say hello in Arabic. Jeez. I mean State Dept/Ambassadors/Diplomats ALL of them should have a little handbook with common phrases and greetings. You would think.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:41 pmwhat traitor condi really means is its our way or we’ll throw a temper tantrum… or hell maybe occupy your country.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:43 pmI’m sorry, are you seriously complaining about Rice exchanging pleasantries with an Iranian foriegn minister? This whole post is just embarassing.
First, I disagree with Rice complaining about Khalilzad’s participating on the UN panel. It strikes me as a pissing match where Rice is annoyed that everything isn’t being filtered through her office. In most administrations the ambassadors and state department officials are considered to be somewhat independent from the political whims of the administration.
However, Rice is the freaking Secretary of State! If she wants to enter into negotiations with the Iranians, let alone exchanging pleasantries, that’s her job. The Secretary of State is responsible for this nations’ foriegn policy. Her pissing match with Khalilzad may be unseemly, but he does fall within her jurisdiction.
And, really, don’t we want Rice to be pleasant to the Iranians?! Isn’t the preferable to us entering into another military adventure in the Middle East?
I don’t know what your policies are on pulling posts, but I think this one should be a candidate. It is pathetic, petty, baseless, and counter productive. The author shows a distinct lack of knowledge about both the functioning of our government and common sense.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:45 pmIn Russia, they eat ice cream in winter because it’s warmer than the weather†– more or less meaning, “You take whatever atmosphere-warming you can get.â€
And in America, bush will take a dump in an ice cream dish and expect the country to agree that it’s a chocolate sundae.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:47 pma far cry from a member of that administration engaging in small talk about ice-cream.
Comment by good_golly
This comment shows just how stupid gigi is. The small talk isn’t about ice cream, it’s a metaphor for taking what you can get, in this case, the Iranian is talking about having off the record small talk in lieu of offical dialogue. idiot.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:50 pmwith common phrases and greetings. You would think.
Comment by mary — February 6, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
from Cheney’s forty eight languages to say Phuck You! in…
February 6th, 2008 at 1:50 pmIn other words, the only DEMOCRACY in Iraq is whatever Bush says it is. I thought that was the definition of a DICTATORSHIP. Someone get another cell and waterboard ready at Guantanamo.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pmA diplomat speaking on a panel on Iranian policy without authorization from the administration is a far cry from a member of that administration engaging in small talk about ice-cream.
You’re kidding? You been in the diplomatic corps? Senior diplomats are in fact encouraged to participate in these sorts of things, you see, as senior diplomats, they are trusted to stay on script, something which Khalilzad evidently did.
A diplomat of Khalilzad’s seniority having to clear this event with Condi is the equivalent of you, even you, asking your mommy every time you need to go potty.
I read this stupid charade as another example of Cheney’s paranoia that anyone might have contact with an Iranian official. In fact, the very notion that Condi “who-stole-my-wet-noodle” Rice could bawl out anyone, let alone a guy who spent most his working life in the world’s most dangerous places, shows just how serious this incident really was.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pmMy post was referring to Ben’s description, moron.
Comment by good_golly
Ben was being ironic, fencepost.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:58 pmHowever, Rice is the freaking Secretary of State! If she wants to enter into negotiations with the Iranians, let alone exchanging pleasantries, that’s her job. The Secretary of State is responsible for this nations’ foriegn policy. Her pissing match with Khalilzad may be unseemly, but he does fall within her jurisdiction.
And, really, don’t we want Rice to be pleasant to the Iranians?! Isn’t the preferable to us entering into another military adventure in the Middle East?
Comment by fletc3her
No one here is criticizing Condi for talking to the Iranians. They are criticizing the fact that she is not engaged enough to learn a few words of Arabic so that she doesn’t insult the people she is talking to.
And it was a big mistake for her to get into this pissing match with Khalilzad. All it is doing is making Khalilzad sound like a statesman and Condi like the hysterical, mean spirited human being that she is.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:59 pm@ 20 – by “serious” I mean complete non-issue.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:59 pmDiplomacy is a bush administration oxymoron.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:03 pmDon’t let it ruffle your feathers, condi. If your upset try on a pair of papagalos.
I thought Iran was a member of the Axis of Evil, along with Lex Luthor, The Joker and Bizarre Superman.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:05 pmUS says al-Qaida in Iraq using children
BAGHDAD – Videotapes seized during U.S. raids on suspected al-Qaida in Iraq hide-outs show the terror group training young boys to kidnap and assassinate civilians, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Wednesday.
Those CIA guys really know how to teach the art…
February 6th, 2008 at 2:11 pmthought Iran was a member of the Axis of Evil, along with Lex Luthor, The Joker and Bizarre Superman.
Comment by Juan C. — February 6, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
No, No, that was the Lexus of evil!
February 6th, 2008 at 2:27 pmThis is not new….Under President Carter’s Administration , Andew Young was US delegate to the UN…News surfaced in the media that Young was seen shaking hands with PLO Palestinian representative in UN in a party…Carter under pressure from media and Jewish organization was forced to terminate Young’s services.
The irony here, under Reagn and Bush,SR. talks started with the PLO, at the end of Clinton adminstration a peace deal almost struck between the PLO & Israel.
Then came the Neocons and Bush administration who ignored Arafat, and Sharon who was let to invade the West Bank Palestinian’s territories.
Rice made at least 10 trips to the Middle East coming back empty handed and with no solid results to show.
Carter later made so many trips to the West Bank after he retired and he saw in his own eyes how the Palestinians live under Israel occupation rule. Carter was later attacked as anti-Semite for writing and publishing the book
February 6th, 2008 at 2:33 pmNow, it is Rice telling Khalilzad not to talk to Iranians…in another world forum
looks like history is repeating itself.
A diplomat of Khalilzad’s seniority having to clear this event with Condi is the equivalent of you, even you, asking your mommy every time you need to go potty.
Comment by Dumb_Fox — February 6, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
Didn’t the Chimperor have to ask Condi to go potty in the UN?
February 6th, 2008 at 2:35 pmI’ll be happy on the day this “WAR CRIMINAL” gets handcuffed and taken to prison. Remember her LIES?! ‘Mushroom clouds’, ‘WMD’, etc. Thousands of inocents iraquis, that had not attacked the USA on 9/11 and had nothing to do with Al-Queida are dead now because her LIES! I wish on her the same fate the Facist Mussolini had. His body hanging up side down on the street of Rome, and the italian people queing to spit on it! She does not deserve to be considered a human beeing!
February 6th, 2008 at 2:38 pmIt’s a vairation on the familiar wingnut theme of IOKIYAR:
DAISNAID
Do As I Say, Not As I Do.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:40 pmI’ll make a Voddo doll of her!
February 6th, 2008 at 2:42 pmI meant a voodoo doll…
February 6th, 2008 at 2:43 pmDidn’t the Chimperor have to ask Condi to go potty in the UN?
Comment by robbez_92107 — February 6, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Oooh, yes, allegedly he did. Good memory. Maybe Condi liked the idea and that’s the way she runs State now.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:46 pmThey knew what was on the NIE report and continued to talk about Iran “nuclear threat”. The same way (modus operandi) they talked about Saddam Hussein’s WMD. On the case of Saddam, she never mentioned that the chemical weapons he possessed in the 80s, were given to him by the USA/UK and most of it came from Maryland US! On the case of Iran, she never mention the Tiranic government that had the backing of the USA until the Iranians had enough and revolt! RICE=WAR CRIMINAL
February 6th, 2008 at 2:50 pm… and that animal Bush, talking about WWIII!!!!!!!!!!! HAGUE 2009!
February 6th, 2008 at 2:53 pm“From what it says here, it doesn’t sound like Condi is Khalilzad’s boss, so where does she get off criticizing him?”
You forget, Condi is Bush’s girlfriend.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:12 pmI’d rather see Khalilzad in that role than John Phucking Bolton.
C’mon, Condi, grow up. He didn’t take you cheese, he acted diplomatic at the meeting and we all support talking to the Iranians instead of war.
Condi, the longer you’re in the Cabinet, the more you act like Bush.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:19 pmSay what you want about the policy, but this is a ridiculous story. Hmm, discussing foreign policy, discussing ice cream, no difference!
February 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pmGreat pic by the way.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pmCondi tried to throw her weight while around at Stanford by trying to backdoor the process of staffing at the local mail center – failed there too, but paid more attention to that than the intelligence on the Al Queda threat!
February 6th, 2008 at 10:41 pmI can’t wait till this completely useless, stupid person just goes away. Condoleezza Rice is about as adept at being Secretary of State as George Bush is at being smart.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:23 amCondi has a double standard ? Nooo, you don’t say! I don’t know if you guys have noticed this but she’s been the black, female, right hand of Bush-Cheney for 8 years. She must know a thing or two about double standards and hypocrisy!
February 7th, 2008 at 9:43 am