Report: Kerry Began Secret Back-Channel Talks With Iran As Senator

[DonViejo]

Source: TPM

CATHERINE THOMPSON – NOVEMBER 26, 2013, 10:34 AM EST

Secretary of State John Kerry secretly began back-channel talks with Iran that lead to an agreement to curb that country's nuclear program while serving as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, according to a report published Tuesday in the Boston Globe.

Kerry made a secret trip to Oman in December 2011 aimed at halting Iran's nuclear program, anonymous Kerry aides explained to the Globe, which was coordinated with the Obama administration and the State Department.

The then-senator met with Omani Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said, according to the Globe. There he laid the foundation for further clandestine meetings between the United States and Iran over the past year, including his return to Oman in May for further secret mediation as secretary of state.

"Kerry had a simple message," an aide with direct knowledge of the meeting told the Globe. "The United States was interested in a quiet dialogue on the nuclear issue [with Iran], one that would be out of the way. There was no trust to start, only issues in need of discussion to see if there was an understanding that could be created."

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Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/report-kerry-began-secret-back-channel-talks-with-iran-as-senator

[awoke_in_2003]

1. A journey of a thousand miles...

starts with a single step (or something like that). K&R

[KurtNYC]

2. when this story broke they kept saying how we had not had

negotiations with Iran since 1979. I guess the MSM doesn't remember Iran / Contra, or the secret deal to keep the hostages until the day Reagan was sworn in.

[MADem]

4. Those conversations didn't have the imprimatur of "We, The People," though.

Those crooks were acting for their own twisted purposes.

If it's an honorable endeavor, people involved can eventually talk about it without denial, or shame!

[Botany]

3. OMG .... building trust w/ diplomacy and quiet talks

John Kerry was born to be Sec. of State.

[lillypaddle]

5. Impossible

everyone knows these talks started to detract from O-Care problems!

[MicaelS]

6. I have to admit, I was wrong about John Kerry.

I did not think he would do as good a job as HRC. I was wrong. Very well done. Mr. Secretary, very well done.

[Kingofalldems]

7. A true patriot.

[Blue_Tires]

8. Man...If only this Kerry dude had a chance to run for president or something...

I'd have voted for him!

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. Jane Fonda should be proud of him.

.
.
.

It seems Kerry is consistent in his priorities.

PEACE -

well if that don't beat all . . . .

Obama AND Kerry pushing for peace.

Sleazy and DimSon must be having shit fits!

CC

[DRoseDARs]

10. Well, there you have it. Proof he knew the Obongocare rollout would be a disaster!

[Nine]

12. :D

[JDPriestly]

11. Kerry, a sane man for these insane times. I wish he had become president in 2004.

He is missed in the Senate but doing a great job in the State Department. He did not lack power when he was in the Senate and had maybe more there than he does now.

[blm]

13. This plan is nearly the same as Kerry had reIran back in 2004 election. He was derided for it

then, but, apparently many in the media completely forgot about it. I haven't been shocked, at all, by his work with Russia's Lavrov on Syria and now, Iran. I expected it. Obama is giving him the room to act officially on his long held ideas about these issues.

[davidpdx]

14. I think it is great that Kerry has been doing this

I don't agree with everything he does, but getting the interim deal could lead to easing of the relations between the two countries.