Obama issues a statement in response to the report that a State Department official will meet meet with Iranian leaders even though Iran continues its Uranium enrichment program:
“I welcome news that the Bush Administration has shifted course and will send an envoy for direct talks as part of the P5+1 with the Iranians in Geneva this weekend. I commend our European allies and other friends on this effort. Now that the United States is involved, it should stay involved with the full strength of our diplomacy. A united front with our friends and allies directly calling on the Iranians to stand down on their illicit nuclear program will maximize the international pressure we can bring to bear and will show the Iranian people that Iran’s isolation is a function of its government’s unwillingness to live up to its obligations. Iran should live up to its obligations now; by waiting, it will only face greater isolation.”
