by Cheryl Rofer
Yesterday, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claimed that US participation in the latest round of talks was recognition of Iran's right to acquire nuclear technology.
Yes, Ahmadinejad says all sorts of things. Yes, he is claiming more than can be justified. But there seems to be no reflexive denial/argument/condemnation from Ms. Rice or Mr. Bush.
And Iran has a right to civilian nuclear technology under the NPT, which has been its continued claim, of which this is one more example, bolstered (according to Ahmadinejad) by William Burns's presence at Saturday's talks. It's the kind of thing that Iran needs to save face, unlike the unilateral surrender hitherto demanded by the Bushies.
That's not saying it's a definite move toward negotiation, just that it could be.