Fat chance, Ahmadinejad

From the Times Online.

Iran’s hardline president appeared to hint at a softening of relations towards the US today, claiming he was “ready for dialogue” if President Obama changed American policy.

And just kind of changes is he looking for?

“It is clear that the change [by Obama] must be fundamental and not tactical,” the Iranian leader said.

Fundamental, eh? Don’t think so, pal.

Following those comments, Mr Ahmadinejad set tough conditions for any breakthrough, demanding that Washington withdraws its troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, and that it apologises for what he said were decades of US “crimes” against Iran.

Tell him he’s dreamin’.

How about this one, Iran? Quit your nuke program. Like the hand Obama is extending to you, do the same towards Israel. Voila, you might get your ‘breakthough’. Hardly likely, though, with Israel’s Likud party as front-runner for the elections today and with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni heading ‘number two’ party, Kadima. Well, we’ll see. She does favour a two-state solution to the Israel/Palestine conundrum.

Oh, and Jules Crittenden, in an Obama wrap up of sorts, notes the POTUS isn’t unaware of Iran’s support for Hamas and Hezbollah, either.

Did the president of the United States actually intend in his first press conference to kiss mullah ass? To his credit, Obama managed to summon up a mention of Iran’s support for terrorism and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. He specifically indicated that Iran’s support for Hezbollah and Hamas is not appreciated, a not insignificant observation. He said that when his administration holds face-to-face talks with the murderous, terrorism-supporting, nuke-seeking mullahs, who desire to dominate the region, he’ll let them know that support for terrorism and pursuit of nukes are not acceptable. Unclear about the regional domination part. I’m sure the mullahs, when they have their big primetime moment on equal terms with the Great Satan, will be very impressed, but will have their own thoughts about all that. Obama didn’t indicate how he intends to impress the unacceptability on them, though he said the United States must use all the tools at its disposal, including diplomacy. That may suggest the soft talk comes with a big stick, though a big stick you don’t care to use is basically kindling.

Methinks the mullahs ain’t gonna be happy. But at least the media will probably be onside this time ’round.