Former Nat'l Security Advisors Criticize US (IranVNC.com)

Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor for President Carter at the time of the 1979 revolution in Iran, criticized US policy of insisting on preconditions for diplomacy with Tehran, while suggesting the administration's "all-options-on-the-table" strategy may back fire.

Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter: "We are unintentionally legitimating the use of force, and we may choose not to use force, but by legitimating it to our own public, we tempt the Israelis even more... It convinces Iranians they are being threatened and perhaps they aught to have nuclear weapons...It pushes Iranians into more nationalistic stand uniting them against us."

The P5 plus one made Iran a "freeze-for-freeze" offer in Geneva. This would temporarily stop uranium enrichment and delay further sanctions while all parties engage in diplomacy. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned, only such a deal can prevent more "punitive measures," saying, quote: "people are tired of the Iranians and their stalling tactics."

Retired General Brent Scowcroft, who was national security advisor to presidents Gerald Ford and George Herbert Walker Bush, seemed to also suggest a less confrontational negotiating stance.

Gen. Brent Scowcroft, former NSA advisor to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush: "They seek recognition as a major force in the region, as a major culture in the world...As Shia in a Sunni region, as Persian in Arab region, and yeah, we need to recognize they need a regional security framework so they can flourish."

So far the Bush Administration position on Iran has been clear:

Condoleezza Rice, U.S. Secretary of State: "If Iran suspends its enrichment and reprocessing activities, I will join my UN National Security colleagues with my Iranian counterpart anytime, anywhere, on any issue..."

Today, on state television, President Ahmadinejad again said further sanctions would not force Iran to stop its enrichment program. And he advised US officials not spoil the progress made in Geneva with quote, "irrelevant comments and colonialist language."

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