Source: Asia Times. By M K Bhadrakumar
I wrote yesterday that the ramifications of Iran’s “scoop” – downing the US drone (”Beast of Kandahar”) – are bound to spread. President Barack Obama has now broken silence, revealing, “We’ve asked for it back – we’ll see how the Iranians respond.” This is public diplomacy at its very best. The dozen words will be keenly analysed not only in Tehran but in many world capitals, especially Beijing and Moscow.
Defence Secretary Leon Panetta promptly stepped in to cover for Obama, saying he won’t expect Tehran to heed the US demarche. Interestingly, Panetta spoke of US having made a “request” rather than a demand, which leaves leeway to backtrack. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also carefully used the word “request” – and that too, in the presence of visiting British Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Categories: Americas