Clinton Repeats Obama on Iran: ‘Reaching Out a Hand, but the Fist Has to Unclench’
EmailABC News’ Jennifer Duck reports: Secretary Hillary Clinton repeated President Barack Obama’s words on Iran from an interview last month with al Arabiya television.
"Iran has an opportunity to step up and become a productive member of the international community," she said after a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband. "As president Obama said, we are reaching out a hand, but the fist has to unclench. And we will see how we proceed together toward a policy that we believe represents the objectives that we share, vis-a-vis Iran."
She said Undersecretary Bill Burns "will discuss the approach that the international community will take toward Iran" at the p5+1 meeting in Germany which begins tomorrow.
The meeting with Secretary Milliband was Secretary Clinton’s first bi-lateral face-to-face meeting with a European counterpart. She will also meet with German Foreign Minister Steinmeier at the State Department this afternoon.
Clinton said she was "particularly grateful" for the British troops in Afghanistan.
Milliband said he had a "good discussion" about the Middle East Peace Process with Special Representative to the Middle East George Mitchell.
UPDATE: After meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Clinton said if Iran didn’t comply with U.N. mandates "there must be consequences."
"President Obama has signaled his intention to support tough and direct diplomacy with Iran, but if Iran does not comply with the UNSC and the IAEA mandate, there must be consequences," Clinton said after meeting with her German counterpart.
She was asked specifically about the Iranian satellite launch, which shows the country’s long-range ballistic technology, but the secretary only expressed concern in general about Iranian government’s behavior.
"We are obviously concerned about Iranian behavior on a very broad base. It’s not limited to any one event or activity," she said. "And, as you know, we’re undergoing a comprehensive review of how best to approach Iran and how to influence its behavior going forward."
Gulf of Mexico to Become Gulf of America? 
Can Mitt Romney Win Conservatives Back?
Make Way for Obama’s Magical Apology Tour.
From The Telegraph (UK):
—“You were standing against the Iranian people in the past 60 years,” Mr Ahmadinejad said during an address in the western region of Khermenshah that was broadcast by state television.
“Those who speak of change must apologize to the Iranian people and try to repair their past bad acts and the crimes they committed against Iran.”
As to the troops, he said he expected two kinds of “deep and fundamental” CHANGE.
“Meet people, talk to them with respect and put an end to the expansionist policies. If you talk about Change it must put an end to the US military presence in the world, withdraw your troops and take them back inside your borders.”
Mr Ahmadinejad said the advocates of change must “stop supporting the Zionists, outlaws and criminals”.—
Posted by: But Will Obama Meet Ahmadinejad's Pre-Conditions? | February 3, 2009, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
Definition: P5+1 is UN Security Council permanent members – US, UK, France, China, Russia plus Germany – relevant because of UN ongoing sanctions and upgraded Western power sanctions against Iran.
Posted by: robert b | February 3, 2009, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm
Just maybe if Mr. Bush had let the United Nations do their thing the US would not be in the mess there in. Ever think of that!!!!!
Posted by: Rose Szymanski | February 3, 2009, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
There’s no more Bush now, so I’m sure Obamagod and the Useless Nations will fix it all.
I hope Hillary does the right thing and volunteers herself as an Iranian human shield when the Israelis go in there to take names.
Posted by: Grand Old Party | February 3, 2009, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
It is truly dismaying how ignorant most people are today. This is not a quote from Obama, regardless of how Hillary spins it – it’s a paraphrase of an Indira Ghandi quote from the early 80′s: “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.”
So not even 30 days into office, top officials are lying by omission, and ascribing quotes to the President that are not his.
Posted by: Last Angry Man | February 3, 2009, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
The UN is NOT to be trusted. The UN has already shown us that its’ existence has overstayed its’ welcome. For a recent example: It has come to light recently that the UN lied about the IDF shelling a UN school. The interesting fact is it didn’t come out until AFTER the cease fire. How convenient for Pro-Hamas flunkies.
Posted by: UGrev | February 4, 2009, 8:29 am 8:29 am
Why? The GOP hasn’t unclenched their fists, but Obama is still reaching out to them?
Posted by: Thomas Mc | February 4, 2009, 11:02 am 11:02 am
Warning to our Naïve young President–Don’t damage our relationship with the world’s largest democracy by kissing up to Islamic regimes! India is not feeling the Hope and Change nowadays. Bush improved relations with India a great deal—don’t blow it.
From Financial Times (UK):
–India has warned US President Barack Obama that he risks “barking up the wrong tree” if he seeks to broker a settlement between Pakistan and India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.
MK Narayanan, India’s national security advisor, said that the new US administration was in danger of dredging up out of date Clinton administration-era strategies in a bid to bring about improved ties between the two nuclear armed neighbours.
“I do think that we could make President Obama understand, if he does nurse any such view, that he is barking up the wrong tree. I think Kashmir today has become one of the quieter and safer places in this part of the world,” Mr. Narayanan said in an interview with CNBC TV18.
“It’s possible that at this time there are elements, perhaps in the administration who are harking back to the pre-2000 era.”–
Posted by: carl | February 4, 2009, 11:02 am 11:02 am
Now that Iran has launched a satellite into space, how long do you think it will be until the launch a rocket into the US.
Posted by: Lizzie | February 4, 2009, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
“Now that Iran has launched a satellite into space, how long do you think it will be until they launch a rocket into the US.”
***************************************
About as long as it took the Soviet Union to launch a rocket into the US.
Posted by: Samurai | February 4, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
I guess we finally figured out that bombing them was immoral and stupid.
Posted by: Huh | February 4, 2009, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
Bombing who? If you mean the Iranians, then you are truly out to lunch.
“About as long as it took the Soviet Union to launch a rocket into the US.”
Why should they have? The oversaw the expansion of Communism over half the world through their proxies. The nukes kept us from invading North Korea, South Korea, Cuba, etc. because they always held that over our heads.
Posted by: Grand Old Party | February 5, 2009, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm
Iran’s leaders are insane .
Posted by: infoseeking | February 6, 2009, 2:24 am 2:24 am