Iran to top Bibi-Barack talk
US President Barack Obama will address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee annual conference in March, the White House announced this week.
His appearance before the country’s largest pro-Israel lobby comes amidst growing international tension with Iran and as the major US political parties gear up for the 2012 presidential race.
Obama will appear at AIPAC on March 4 and then meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, himself coming to Washington to address the conference, the next day at the White House.
Iran is expected to top the agenda for the leaders’ meeting. The country is indicating it is ready to return to the negotiating table after the international community, led by the US, has imposed increasingly harsh sanctions on the regime.
A bipartisan groups of senators this week called on Obama to continue to ratchet up sanctions on Iran despite its apparent willingness to enter talks.
“We would strongly oppose any proposal that caps or limits sanctions against the Iranian regime in exchange for anything less than full, verifiable and sustained suspension of all enrichment activities,” stated the letter written by the 12 senators that included New York Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Republican John McCain of Arizona.
Alluding to fears the Iranians will buy time by drawing out negotiations, they added, “The time for confidence-building measures is over.”
THE JERUSALEM POST
REPORT: Hilary Leila Krieger
PICTURED: Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama meeting last May. They will hold talks again in Washington next month. Photo: JTA
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