OPINION:
There are several things to understand regarding the GOP letter to Iran’s leaders (“Ted Cruz: I’d sign Iran letter ’in large print’ so the Ayatollah wouldn’t need his glasses,” Web, March 17). First, it was not a secret communication, but rather an open letter to be read by Iran, world leaders, the White House and the American public — more of a press release than a diplomatic communication.
Second, it was not a negotiating instrument, but an informational message designed to ensure that the Iranians understood the constitutional role of Congress — especially in view of President Obama’s tendency to exceed his authority. Third, it is not unprecedented as Democrats claim. To wit, in 2007 Democrats engaged in a series of secret talks with Syrian despot Bashar Assad. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi met with Syrian President Bashar Assad while the George W. Bush administration was attempting to isolate Mr. Assad. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Ohio Democrat, blasted American Middle East policy after private discussions with Mr. Assad. In that same year senators John Kerry, Christopher Dodd, Jay Rockefeller and Arlen Specter held private “diplomatic discussions” with Mr. Assad.
Further back, former President Jimmy Carter undertook freelance negotiations with North Korea, complicating things for the Clinton administration. Mr. Carter’s naive interference may have helped rather than hindered North Korea’s acquisition of the atomic bomb. In 1984 congressional Democrats wrote to Nicaraguan dictator Daniel Ortega apologizing for President Reagan’s tough policies. In 1987 Democratic House Speaker Jim Wright met privately with Ortega at the time Reagan officials were in sensitive peace negotiations with Ortega’s Sandinistas and the Contra freedom fighters.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russian KGB documents revealed secret negotiations between the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, and Soviet Premier Yuri Andropov, with Kennedy attempting to influence Reagan’s 1984 re-election. Kennedy’s secret proposals to Andropov included visiting Moscow for direct talks, advising the Kremlin on dealing with President Reagan, arranging invitations for Andropov to visit America for media appearances and arming “Soviet officials with explanations regarding problems of nuclear disarmament so they may be better prepared and more convincing during appearances in the USA.”
The fact that Mr. Obama intends to have his personal agreement ratified by the United Nations while circumventing Congress reflects a dangerous left-wing global view that places international authority over American sovereignty. If the Senate Republicans have shed light on — and possibly derailed — a bad deal, they have done a great service to the United States and the civilized world.
LARRY HORIST
Boca Raton, Fla.
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