SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE: National Security Committee

[Napoleon]

Here we are.

Members:
Napoleon, Chair
Kalwejt
Gass3268

[Talleyrand]

Congratulations to Senator Napoleon for the honor of chairing the Committee, and to Senators Gass and Kalwejt for being able to serve on it.

I will be happy to appear before the Committee to offer my thoughts on various issues and answer any questions you might have.

[Napoleon]

Actually I would like to request a sort of general outline of where this administration's foreign policy will differ from the previous administration's. Anything confidential can be sent to members via PM.

Thank you Secretary.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Where was this Nappy when he ran the IA committee?


Nice start man. I hope it continues.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Don't forget to select a fill-in chair as well.

[Napoleon]

Gass3268 shall be fill-in chair. I'm certain he will serve capably if needed.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

So how is the Secretary's/Administration's report coming along?


Oh and you need a new member already. Damn!


Well, keep annoying the Secretary until he produces what you want.

[Napoleon]

Secretary Talleyrand is preparing a foreign policy review for Senate consideration. I believe that he's waiting until that has been completed to answer Napoleon's question. My understanding is that it won't be more than a couple of days before it's ready.

I'm fine with that.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Mr. Chairman, have you heard anything more on the FPR?

[Napoleon]

Okay.

I'd like to discuss Iran next.

Can the Secretary give an overview of any recent developments in our relationship with Iran?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I get the impression the administration is going to make doing anything with the committees as difficult as possible so as to acheive there complete elmination.

[Napoleon]

I get the impression the administration is going to make doing anything with the committees as difficult as possible so as to acheive there complete elmination.

I can play that game just fine, as I am sure they are aware.

[Talleyrand]

I would like to thank the Chairman and the other member of this committee, the Honorable Gass3268, for waiting graciously for an answer.

Our relationship with Iran is stable, as a result of the diplomatic channels introduced by former SoEA Kalwejt back in August of last year, and my talks with former SoEA (and current Southeast Governor) SJoyce have confirmed that the main issue of contention in negotiations has and will be nuclear talks. I've spoken with the current Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi by phone, and had an opportunity to meet incoming President Hassan Rouhani at the United Nations, and will probably head for further talks in mid-August or so. The DoEA hope to temper Iran's nuclear weapon program as much as possible and advocate for the liberalization of political freedoms.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

In the opinion of the your department and the administration, do you see the last objective as being more achievable under the new leadership in Iran, or will it be more of the same with a similing face instead of a brazen, rogue leader?

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I realize I am not a member, but considering the shortfall and such I thought it acceptable to go ahead and ask it.

Basically it is a question of expectations, and one which naturally would be expected to have a measured and careful response but a response thus the same and I would like to see it.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I had hoped that Polnut's addition here would re-energize the discussion.

I am still interested in the question about the expectations regarding Iran and what is reasonably possible to achieve in the opinion of the administration now versus before.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I would like to ask the question of whether or not to offer some sort of olive branch to the new regime, along the line of a meeting on neutral ground?

[Talleyrand]

It's impossible to determine how exactly the "regime change" will impact Iran's approach to political freedoms, although I'd venture to say that it does not appear any major changes will occur in the near future in that regard, although we are optimistic about nuclear talks. As is well-known, Khamenei still remains the de facto Head of Government, and the flexibility allocated to the new President's administration will be minimal. Talks are planned for the next month, although a meeting place has not been decided. Fairly neutral ground, such as Kazakhstan, could be a good place "to offer an olive branch" and hold the negotiations.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Would possible relaxation of sanctions be on the table as part of a possible "olive branch" in exchange for concessions on the nuclear program and if so, what sort of verification is the Dept and administration going to insist on if so to ensure that we aren't give up something for nothing?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I would suggest an officials or Foreign Minister-level meeting in neutral territory to have a discussion on what issues COULD be part of a higher-level.

I think a prospect of sanction relaxation HAS to be part of it.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I would suggest an officials or Foreign Minister-level meeting in neutral territory to have a discussion on what issues COULD be part of a higher-level.

I think a prospect of sanction relaxation HAS to be part of it.

Without a doubt, my concern is that we actually get results in exchange for doing so.