Bloomberg.com: U.S.

Bloomberg.com: U.S.

Bush Urges Diplomatic Solution to Iran Standoff (Update1)
Jan. 13 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush urged a diplomatic solution to the standoff with Iran over its nuclear ambitions, saying the United Nations Security Council should deal with the issue.

A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a ``grave threat'' to the world and is ``unacceptable,'' Bush said after White House talks today with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel agreed, saying the U.S. and European allies would ``try to persuade as many countries to ally themselves with us.''

``We will certainly not be intimidated by a country such as Iran,'' she said, The U.S., Germany, France and U.K. yesterday said negotiations have failed to persuade Iran to stop processing nuclear fuel. The four countries want the UN International Atomic Energy Agency to hold an emergency vote to refer the matter to the Security Council, where Iran may face censure or sanctions.

Merkel, making her first official visit to the U.S., is seeking to repair ties with the U.S. without alienating Germans skeptical about Bush's Iraq policy. She called today's talks ``open and candid,'' and ``a good beginning.'' Bush called the meeting with Merkel ``extraordinarily positive.''

The president defended U.S. detention of terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay, rebuffing Merkel's call to close the military prison in Cuba. ``There are some misperceptions about Guantanamo,'' Bush said. ``Guantanamo is a necessary part of protecting the American people,'' he said, and ``so long as there is a threat, we would inevitably need to hold people.''

I see perhaps (or I am hoping this to be so) a brilliant strategist coming to light with Chancellor Merkel; She's maintaining peaceful relations with the US, especially since The Bush administration is clearly war happy, her approach needs to first establish neutrality. Establish a common goal.
Originally she seemed to be very concerned about closing Guatanamo, but has chosen not to bring this issue up in these meetings.
Last night I was concerned with her new and different approach and possible tactics, but I suspect it all serves its purpose, in its own time. I think she clearly knows what she is doing, and paving her way quite diplomatically.