Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., April 16, 2008 Nisan 11, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:53 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

U.S. presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton (AP) Last update - 06:56 16/04/2008 McCain vows to pressure Iran as Clinton calls for low-level talks By Reuters Tags: Hillary Clinton, Iran Republican John McCain on Tuesday promised to apply massive diplomatic and financial pressure on Iran to try to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon if elected president. Often accused of hawkish policies, McCain told MSNBC's "Hardball" it would be difficult to convince the American people to go to war against Iran. "I believe we can act with nations with values and principles that we hold dear and exercise enormous pressure -- diplomatic, trade, financial," he said. Advertisement If he decided he had to attack, McCain said he would have to make an "even more convincing argument that it was necessary to do so because of our failure to find weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq. "There's a little credibility gap," he said, referring to President George W. Bush, who justified the 2003 invasion of Iraq by saying it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Iran has been a hot topic in the presidential campaign with Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton arguing that the Iraq war allowed Iran to increase its influence in southern Iraq. They also say Iranian elements have been shipping explosives across the border to attack Americans and Iraqis. Clinton urges talks, but opposes direct negotiations with Ahmadinejad Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton on Tuesday called President George W. Bush's Iran policy "a loser" and recommended low-level talks with a country the United States has labeled a sponsor of terrorism. Speaking at a meeting of newspaper publishers, Clinton sought to strike a balance between the hawkish approach taken by the Bush administration and her Democratic rival Barack Obama's call for face-to-face talks with the Iranian president. "The approach that the Bush administration has taken toward Iran has been a loser. It has neither changed behaviors or produced results," said Clinton, a former first lady who would be the first woman president. "I've advocated both that carrot and that stick, and I think that would be what I (would) take to try to create the beginning of lower levels of diplomatic engagement, some ongoing process," the New York senator said. The West accuses Iran of trying to acquire nuclear weapons under cover of a civilian program. Iran denies the charge and says it needs nuclear technology to meet electricity demand. The Bush administration has led international efforts to penalize Iran for failing to allay suspicions over its nuclear work. The expected Republican nominee for the November election, Arizona Sen. John McCain, speaks aggressively against Iran for its nuclear program and its influence in Iraq. Obama, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination to face McCain, has advocated meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a way to break the standoff and has accused Clinton of siding with Republicans because of her Senate vote last year to label Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. Clinton, who has painted Obama as too inexperienced to protect U.S. interests during a crisis, defended her vote. "I think going after the Revolutionary Guard and labeling them as a terrorist organization actually gives us a stronger hand at the diplomatic table," she said. Asked if she would initiate covert actions against Iran if she were president, Clinton said: "Without saying anything out of school, I'm sure that there are many covert actions going on." Related articles: U.S.: Iranian threats to 'eliminate' Israel justify int'l sanctions Israel fears Iran may ship Hezbollah arms via Beirut port Clinton's top strategist quits over Colombian free trade conflict Bookmark to del.icio.us   Never forget Peres, at Warsaw uprising memorial: Israel will avenge Holocaust through peace. Return to Haifa Provocative new play evokes sympathy for both Jews and Palestinians   1.   Talking with Iran is the only solution 00:36  |  *BEN JABO 16/04/08   2.   Talk to us only after YOU apologise for the 1953 Coup in Iran 03:16  |  Sadiq M 16/04/08   3.   NO to talk 04:07  |  Brod 16/04/08   4.   not quite true, Ben Jabo 04:13  |  Sam 16/04/08   5.   When will Iran apologize for bombing the AMIA in Argentina? 05:53  |  Fortuna Benmayor 16/04/08   6.   Suddenly "talk" is the magic solution. 05:55  |  Fortuna Benmayor 16/04/08   7.   For Brod # 3 06:00  |  Fortuna Benmayor 16/04/08   8.   McCain is my candidate. 06:02  |  Fortuna Benmayor 16/04/08   9.   McCain would have been a whiz at Waterloo 07:04  |  Natallie Durson 16/04/08   10.   The only option 07:34  |  Arthur 16/04/08   11.   Iran, the biggest danger to the Middle East and to the world. 08:19  |  Jean Van Daem 16/04/08   12.   Durson-Iran "no threat" to US 08:22  |  Stephen in New York 16/04/08   13.   don`t dignify mullahs w/ `war.` just bomb away. 19:36  |  frenz 16/04/08

Read & React UN calls for disarming of Hezbollah, Israel-Lebanon solution Responses: 103 Arrow successfully simulates intercept of mock Shihab missile Responses: 54 Report: Netanyahu says 9/11 terror attacks good for Israel Responses: 152 Three IDF soldiers killed in clashes near Gaza border Responses: 133 Lieberman to Carter: Meeting Meshal will only heighten terror Responses: 20 Rosner's Domain Let the debate begin: what's a "pro-Israeli" position? A lot more on the J Street project (WTR) Poll: Were you convinced that America should stay in Iraq? Obama hits the 'G-spot' More Headlines 20:49 15 Palestinians killed in IAF strikes in central Gaza 18:37 Three Israeli soldiers killed in ambush near Gaza border 14:37 Survey: Nasrallah is the most admired leader in the Arab world 17:34 Report: Netanyahu says 9/11 terror attacks good for Israel 15:47 EU: Israel resumes supply of fuel to Gaza power plant 16:28 New Jewish-American lobby wants to be alternative to AIPAC 19:43 Swedish court reduces Palestinian terrorist's life sentence 18:00 Lieberman to Carter: Meeting Meshal will only heighten terror 16:01 Breaking ranks with U.S. Jewish 'establishment' on the occupation 13:26 Report: David and Victoria Beckham to send son to L.A. Jewish school 16:53 South Korean cosmetics company pulls ad campaign with Nazi references 16:56 8-year-old Yemeni girl wants to divorce her 30-year-old husband 15:59 Court to postpone trial of Jerusalem mother suspected of child abuse Previous Editions Select Day 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 11 apr 10 apr 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates Pardes Institute Summer Sessions Study Jewish texts and issues in Jerusalem, Co-ed, All Levels Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved