What does Kissinger favor?

Posted: Friday, September 26, 2008 10:44 PM by Carrie Dann

In the debate over Obama's position that he would be willing to talk to unsavory world leaders without precondition, Obama brought up that Henry Kissinger -- an adviser to McCain -- actually favors that.

That is true. Kissinger favors direct talks -- without preconditions with Iran -- but he prefers doing at the Secretary of State level.

*** UPDATE *** The McCain camp sends along the following statement from Henry Kissinger: "Senator McCain is right. I would not recommend the next President of the United States engage in talks with Iran at the Presidential level. My views on this issue are entirely compatible with the views of my friend Senator John McCain. We do not agree on everything, but we do agree that any negotiations with Iran must be geared to reality. "

From Bloomberg, (3/14):
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said the U.S. should negotiate directly with Iran over its nuclear program and other bilateral issues. "One should be prepared to negotiate, and I think we should be prepared to negotiate about Iran,'' Kissinger, who brokered the end of the 1973 Yom Kippur war and peace talks with the North Vietnamese, said yesterday in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Asked whether he meant the U.S. should hold direct talks, Kissinger, 84, responded: "Yes, I think we should.''

And from from CNN, (9/20):
Kissinger: "Well, I am in favor of negotiating with Iran. And one utility of negotiation is to put before Iran our vision of a Middle East, of a stable Middle East, and our notion on nuclear proliferation at a high enough level so that they have to study it. And, therefore, I actually have preferred doing it at the secretary of state level so that we -- we know we're dealing with authentic..." Sesno: "Put at a very high level right out of the box?"

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Comments

Watching that particular exchange in the debate last night about whether Henry Kissenger supports direct talks with Iran or not, I came away thinking that Obama had won that section of the debate.

The real argument was lost in the minutia of whether the President should engage in talks with Iran or lower level officials. To me the point is moot. The fact is that we do need to meet with Iran as Mr Kissenger also beleives.

George, Laurel, MD (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 8:15 AM)

Wow, McCain just can't tell the truth. The man is amazing how he can lie and still get some people to support him. Even when confronted by the truth he is completely allergic to it.

Obama/Biden 08

Jeremy, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 8:29 AM)

So again McShame proves he has no idea. As Obama tried to say last night, the talks do have to start at some level and he did explain the differences between pre-set conditions and precautions. He also did say that he was saying the talks needed to take place not that they had to be specifically with the President of the United States, just that we needed to embark on the talks.

gdenise, severn, md (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 8:32 AM)

I'm amazed that McCain is getting away with spending 3 minutes of the debate lieing on this. Pretending to misunderstand is despicable.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 8:39 AM)

This is another example of the media feeding into more McCain distractions so the public will not focus on his lack of knowledge on middle class anxieties, lack of composure and temper control, and his absurd lack of judgement on his flaky VP pick.

Jack K, PA (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 8:40 AM)

So, Obama was right. Mr. Kissenger has said that in the past as recently as last week.

Bill, NJ (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:04 AM)

Would Kissinger be so candid about "negotiating" with Iran if Iran insisted Israel's nuclear arsenal, and its complete failure to sign up to any non-proliferation type treaties, agreements, or anything else was on the table with equal status? I thought not. Kissinger knows for whom and what he works. Iran can't have nuclear weapons, but Israel can do what it likes.

Paul (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:05 AM)

Who cares what Kissinger thinks?
His foreign policy was misguided anyway.
Why should care?

Bart House, Springfield,Ohio (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:09 AM)

Obama never said that the meetings should be at the Presidential level. In fact, Kissinger's statement as cited by the McCain camp is exactly as Obama claimed.

Mary (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:23 AM)

Sound's like he's been persuaded by McCain to add in "McCain is right" even when McCain argued to the contrary.

Micah (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:28 AM)

So then Obama was correct.

Ray Bandon Oregon (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:34 AM)

Sen. McCain is not saying that "we" shouldn't have talks with Iran or North Korea. His point is that "The President" should not meet with certain dictators without preconditions. Obama is trying to blur the statement to make it appear that McCain is against talking. Apparently carrie Dann is also following this tactic. I would probably use the same strategy if I had made the statements Obama did during the Democratic Debates. It's good politics but lacks accuracy and truthfulness.

Matt Herbot, Lynchburg, VA (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:44 AM)

Yes Kissinger agrees with McCain, but what he doesn't say is that Obama's statements were correct.

Kissinger's comments during a September 15 forum -
"But I do not believe that we can make conditions for the opening of negotiations."

This is the statement proves that Obama was correct in his characterization of Kissinger's statements.

Dr Digg, Anytown, FL (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:46 AM)

What?! For Kissinger to say "Senator McCain is right" is totally inconsistent with the stand he has previously made! See the Kissinger quote. Obama was totally correct in this. The CNN 9/20 quote is clear, but it is also incomplete. There was a "But.." at the end which additionally included the possibility of Presidential Level negotiations. I resent support of the McCain lying machine.

Ellen Van Dyke (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:51 AM)

Obama didn't say Kissinger approved of a sit-down with Iran at the presidential level. So when McCain mischaracterized Obama's words and said something to the effect of "Kissinger did NOT say that he would approve of face-to-face meetings between the president and Ahmadinejad," Obama even said, "Of course not." So it would seem that Kissinger's opinion is in line with how Obama used it. And like Obama said, Ahmadinejad isn't even the top dog in Iran.

Zack McLain, Denton, Texas (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:57 AM)

So - McCain was correct. And Kissinger agrees with McCain that the POTUS should not talk directly with Iranian officials.
Katie Couric should also apologize to Palin and viewers for getting it all wrong about Kissinger.

zazzle (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:05 AM)

Obama *did* clarify that talks probably shouldn't be presidential level either, if I recall correctly?

Jeremy, Albany, NY (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:08 AM)

Barack Obama NEVER said he would go racing in as President himself personally to speak to the evil leaders of Iran. Obama was making a contrast between the policy of not speaking at all on any level with a foreign country until they do what we want. DOES that work in any of your relationships? The flaws of this method are evident as Obama pointed out in North Korea. Every time we start ignoring them and calling them the axis of evil they start firing up the nukes. We talk to them and they stop. Now they may be need to be babied but that is better than a unpleasantly directed nuke.

Obama was thinking in terms of his administration being willing to consider any option that kept Americans safe, strong and powerful.
That is where Obama and Kissinger agree.

Besides it has been proven (http://tinyurl.com/yzeuw5) that the wipe Israel of the face of the Earth got lost in translation. He was talking about the Zionist philosophy not a second holocaust.

Kirk Beowolf (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:09 AM)

It seems that McCain's main problem is with the English language. Words like negotiate, direct, high level, and preconditions are very confusing. I must complement them however on the way the seem to have mastered the Jedi mind trick whenever he is caught. You just repeat the wrong statement and stand, face the audience even if you have no clue what it is you are talking about.

AK, Tucson, AZ (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:12 AM)

This sounds like the "the economy is fundamentally sound" gaff all over again. Seeing the true crisis, fundamentally sound meant "our workers are fundamentally sound". And now...Direct unconditional talks becomes "high level direct negoitiations does not include the president".

The difference equals prop up McCain when he blunders...

Double speak, double speak, double speak.

Marvel, Kannapolis, NC (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:13 AM)

So now Kissinger is trying to backtrack and deny what he had said about talking with our enemies? I thought Kissinger was beyond this political posturing! Will these people ever stop lying?
McCain would prefer to take the bomb and just drop it on our so-called enemies like Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria. He is in favor of Israel bombing Iran which will be the start of WORLD WAR III.

START NOW WITH DIPLOMACY!

ONE MORE REASON WHY I AM VOTING OBAMA/BIDEN '08

Leslie (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:13 AM)

This is why I hate politics and debates in particular. Words are grabbed out of context and twisted to make them appear factual. B.O. needs better fact checkers!!!!!!!!!!!

S.R. Wood (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:15 AM)

Why is Henry Kissinger's opinion on any matter relevant? This is a man that belongs in prison for crimes against humanity for his role in the Cambodian bombings where thousands of innocent civillians were murdered. How is it possible that we forget about the fact that he was part of the Nixon administration - The most corrupt administration in our country's history. Stop seeking the consult of this man, it destroys your credibility as a news organization.

Dave Webber, Lafayette, IN (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:16 AM)

On the point of negotiating directly with rogue states without pre-condition; At what point did Obama say he, as Preesident, would talk directly with the nations? He did not! He was very clear that the US should engage Iran, North Korea and other nations but he never said he would do so at the Presidential level. Kissinger stated that as well but McCain was confused on the topic and Obama's position.

Tom Huskerson, Richmond, VA (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:19 AM)

I think what is important here is that Obama is WILLING TO TALK and negotiate. While they quibble over semantics, what I get from McCain is that HE would bomb first, ask questions later.
Meanwhile< Rice admits that she was in meetings where various forms of torture were discussed, and McCain admits that we tortured people by saying he won't let it happen again. Where is the uproar about that? That is illegal activity by Bush-IMPEACH!

Sue Midland, MI (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:21 AM)

I love the spin. McCain isnt right. Obama even said that Kissinger said it would be low level without preconditions, which is what Obama wants. Somehow, McCain cant even acknowledge that, and insists that Obama wants it at the presidential level.Which is not what he said, and it's not what he claimed Kissinger said. McCain was so condesending, and if he listens to the replay of the debate he will see what Obama said was right. But I'm sure we'll get more spin and lies from a desperate man. I lost complete respect for McCain now.

Karen Albany, NY (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:21 AM)

I like the idea of talks...in place of negotiations...the USA can present requirements for a peaceful co-existence...and Iran can do the same...this is how we find out disparity between the two. Then it is just an elementary problem of acceptance or adjustment to achieve the peaceful co-existence...if this cannot be achieved and our elected leaders feel that we must act militarily or otherwise, we as citizens of an elected government have to bear the consequences whatever they may be.

Matthew Truax, New Richmond, WI (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:29 AM)

It's disgusting that Henry Kissinger is viewed as some sort of sage. He should be behind bars for crimes committed 30+ years ago. His major accomplishment - "peace with honor" in Vietnam - resulted in neither. He directed illegal and genocidal bombing campaigns on a country we were not at war with. He had a hand in overthrowing a democratically elected leader and replacing him with a murderous tyrant in Chile. This is a partial list. Why in God's name would anyone turn to him for advice on how to manage international relations?

Marek Littau (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:32 AM)

Can somebody get the video posted on YouTube ? Kissinger is flip-flopping and needs to be called on it. The McCain campaign is based on lies.

kelly, indiana (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:35 AM)

I want to talk about "pre-conditions".

McCain was very condescending when he mocked Obama for sitting down with Iran's leader without "preconditions" - meaning that Obama would just sit down with Ahmadenijad directly without any preparation.

Obama was RIGHT - Preparation is different from Precondition! look it up! Pre-condition means that the CONDITION (Iran agreeing to do what the USA wants) needs to be fulfilled before (PRE) the sit-down! Preparation is a more appropriate word for "going through the proper protocol of sitting with the lower ranking USA officials" - McCain couldn't take the time to look that up before he went on stage to debate???

box1 (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:45 AM)

I wouldn't believe anything Dr Strangelove/Kissinger says..he's a natural liar and opportunist. Quotes: "The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." In Haig's presence, Kissinger referred pointedly to military men as "dumb, stupid animals to be used" as pawns for foreign policy.

Max, Westerville, OH (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 10:58 AM)

Senator McCain's "experience" may not be to America's advantage. As the saying goes, "doing the same thing the same way over and over again brings the same results". Due to Bush's lack of judgment, with Mcain's backing we are in this mess now. McCain's policies are the same as Bushs' only packaged differently. Obama warned congress of a financial crises, where was McCain then? Obama voted against he war in Iraq McCain voted for it. I will vote for the man with intelligence and common sense over a man who doesn't learn from his mistakes.

Ed Alles Boca Raton. Fl. (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:00 AM)

I really despise the practice now rampant in politics, government, the media, business and, I might add, the some of the general population, to lie by artfully twisting variations and shades of the truth. Skillful timing of these lies is another key ingredient of this diabolical skill. It undermines the very foundation of one's sense of security because you wind up feeling you have to be a detective just to get by in such a sinister world.

P D Skelton (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:04 AM)

hENRY Kissinger taped interview with his possition on talking directly with leaders without preconditions was played over and over again last night on different channels. He did say he would met at a higher level, just as Future president Obama quoted. As for Henry Kissinger emailing THAT WAS LAUGHABLE, does he even own computer? WASN'T WAY PAST HIS BED TIME? Anyone can claim to be kissinger sending an email. McCain doesn't get it, he doesn't understand Americans are moving in a new direction, we have new ideas and are ready for change. McCain has gone through many changes in his life. He was born and lived though the ages of the first model T, the invention of television, vodville, the telephone.... You think with all those changes, he could adjust and go with the flow. It is time for more changes, and Mr. Obama is going to take us down that road. Enough of the good ole day stories, we are living for the future, not in the past! John Mccain thank you for your service, now time to move over as fresh ideas are on the horizon. VOTE OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT!

Fay Council aka Henry Kissenger, West Covina, CA (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:13 AM)

Does McCain believe that the majority of the people who placed Obama at the debate also "just" do not understand..... get real....

Roy Weightman (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:21 AM)

guess obama has to get his facts straight. this is an extreme embarassment

mike (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:22 AM)

maybe obama will get rev wright as his sec of state.

mike (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:25 AM)

Does McCain believe that the majority of the people who placed Obama at the debate also "just" do not understand..... get real....

Roy Weightman (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:25 AM)

McCain would bring about endless international conflict and needless war. Obama would reduce international tension.

Larry Wilson (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:25 AM)

I am soo tired of the news media spining the debate. McCain is such a liar.

Sophie (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:28 AM)

Obama repeatedly said that preparatory talks should start below the presidential level, but without precondition, just as Kissinger said. McCain kept trying to put words in Obama's mouth and then claim those words showed naiveté, but Obama simply observed that Kissinger endorsed the idea of direct talks without preconditions. Kissinger clearly did take this stance, (see the quotes from Bloomberg and CNN) notwithstanding his transparent attempts to spin the issue post-debate to appear to align with McCain.

David F, New York, NY (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:29 AM)

If you want to be honest with yourselves go back and listen to Obama in the debate with Hillary - he was going the one that was going to sit down, but as with everything Obama he needs to change the story and spin it because he knows he is wrong - You guys just don't want to see it - Start listening - don't try to cover up just like he does - Have you ever seen a candidate that has had to spin so many of his statements or friends -

bPla (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:33 AM)

I think the Fox News fact checker put it best:

THE FACTS: Obama was right that Kissinger called for meetings without preconditions. McCain was right that Kissinger did not call for such meetings to be between the two presidents.

In a foreign policy forum on Sept. 15, Kissinger said: “I am in favor of negotiating with Iran.” He went on to say, “I actually have preferred doing it at the secretary of state level” and the U.S. should go into the talks with “a clear understanding of what is it we’re trying to prevent. What is it going to do if we can’t achieve what we’re talking about? But I do not believe that we can make conditions for the opening of negotiations. We ought, however, to be very clear about the content of negotiations and work it out with other countries and with our own government.”

maxine hattery (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:34 AM)

Obama won last night and it was supposed to be McCain's strong suit of foreign policy. The next debates will be gravy for Barack. McCain looked old and tired. McCain was smarmy and arrogant with his smirks and defensiveness.

Rob. Sturbridge. Ma (Sent Saturday, September 27, 2008 11:36 AM)

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