Is Barack Obama justified in his willingness to talk to foreign leaders without preconditions?
Yes, because talking with foreign leaders is a key part of peaceful diplomacy, and is the President's job.
The United States should be taking a more cooperative role in international relations. This requires an increased willingness to have a dialogue with other leaders. Merely talking, in general, should not require other leaders to acquiesce to the United States' demands. The President should always be willing to talk and negotiate with other nations.
Posted by: tacomoonHe is talking to leaders, but likely setting a worst case scenario.
Talking with leaders for a reason, is meant for a reason. The worlds problems and our countries ability to meet them rest on talking to foreign countries in the midst of things. Not setting conditions in some aspects allows a more relaxed posture in regards, and making some progress even if no progress is seen.
Posted by: BearPreconditions only limit the free exchange of ideas needed to improve international relations.
There shouldn't have to be preconditions on a meeting between world leaders for the purpose of improving international relations with the goal of world peace and a better life for all. Limiting the ability to exchange ideas, whether through preconditions, blacklisting or censorship, does nothing to improve our ability to share ideas and understand one another.
Posted by: Th4FireIt is a good idea for President Obama to talk to foreign leaders as long as no lasting commitments are made.
I don't think it ever hurts to sit down and have a talk on the issues. President Obama's willingness to talk to leaders without preconditions shows that the United States is willing to engage in dialogue. During these talks, nothing should be given a final decision but the leaders can become acquainted and "take each other's temperature."
Posted by: R0d0FerdyI agree with President Obama's willingness to meet with foreign leaders, because no progress can be made if we can't sit at the same table.
I believe that President Obama should continue to meet with foreign leaders, especially from the Middle East and Central Asia, without setting preconditions. Although we may have major concerns with the country's political or social positions, we will have little positive influence unless we first sit down with the leaders. Once the President is sitting at the table with these leaders, he can work towards positive change.
Posted by: MakeshiftJospeh80I believe that lack of preconditions before discussion is necessary in order to keep the playing field even.
I think that if any president really wants to build a relationship with other nations it is important that they not try to impose their will. One of the reasons why other nations hate the U.S. is that its presidents of the past believed that they had a right to dictate how other nations behave. This type of arrogance has resulted in terrorism hitting us at home, and spreading through out our allies territories. In order to cease the hate fueling these attacks we have to take away the terrorists legitimacy amongst their followers. When we stop bullying, and exploiting others for our own financial gain the Osama's won't be able to gather young men willing to kill themselves to get us because our interference have destroyed all the prospects in their homes.
Posted by: XglossyWyndHe is right in wanting to talk to foreign leaders without preconditions.
Requiring preconditions before discussing things with foreign leaders is disrespectful, and it indicates to them that we demand to be in charge. You can't expect to have a serious discussion with someone if you go into it with an attitude of superiority. Even if our government disagrees with a foreign leader or has a serious problem with another country, our President should be able to talk to their leaders to try to work out solutions.
Posted by: N Schroeder 60Yes, he is the president, he can do what he thinks is best.
Barack Obama has the right to speak to whomever he pleases without preconditions. I don't think it should be seen as a weakness, I think it should be seen as a show of faith, that he can be open in his talks with others. President Obama is an extraordinary human being who should be respected for his decisions on how he chooses to communicate with other dignitaries and anybody else he deals with.
Posted by: PinkMychIn order to further a peaceful agenda, Obama is justified in his willingness to meet foreign leaders without preconditions.
In order to create diplomatic solutions, it is important for President Obama to talk with foreign leaders without preconditions. In personal relationships we are continually encouraged to open the lines of communication. Refusing to speak only allows your own point of view to be heard. When governments are engaged in talks, the chances are increased that a resolution to current issues may be found. If the initial talks become about the conditions that need to be set before the governments can talk, the global issues will never be able to be discussed.
Posted by: 5h4n3GotPresident Obama is the face of the United States, and should be free to conduct his foreign policy.
The President should be willing to meet with foreign leaders without cumbersome preconditions. He must be able to meet them on neutral ground, because always meeting in a position of superiority can harm his stance of peace and equality.
Posted by: deikkenaBarack Obama is justified in proceeding with these talks. He is only trying to help our foreign relations.
I feel that Barack Obama is justified in his actions. I know that some people might be concerned by the fact that there are no preconditions, but those people must remember how badly our foreign relations were wounded during the Bush Jr. regime. No precondition meetings are a good way to repair a lot of our foreign relationships.
Posted by: 5c4ryEInYes
In article two of the constitution, it states that foreign policy is one of his jobs to carry out. So you tell me. It is his job?
Posted by: AnonymousBeing open and willing to talk is the message that we want to portray
There are many tools of negotiation and diplomacy, and I believe that saying "We won't even talk to you unless you do x, y, and z" sends the wrong message. Items like trade relations and foreign aid can be used to encourage good behavior, but the willingness to talk with "the enemy" should be universal, or very close to it. The US should always strive to hold the moral upper hand, and this is one step toward that goal.
Posted by: Iuk45GrinderWe need to keep an open communication with other countries.
I think it is ridiculous not to communicate with other foreign leaders and dignitaries. Without open communication how can we learn about our differences and how to deal with each other? Refusing to talk is akin to putting up the Berlin Wall. If we can't speak with each other, no solutions will be met.
Posted by: M4rwInfernoPresident Obama is justified in talking with out foreign leaders without preconditions because it sets a good example for the new American foreign policy.
President Obama is justified in talking to foreign leaders because in order to work with other countries, we must put aside past transgressions and focus on the "now" rather than events from the past. Before we can ever begin to look forward, we must not look backwards and hold grudges that were largely along partisan lines. Without talking to other nations leaders, we are putting our country at a distinct disadvantage should we ever need anything from the international community.
Posted by: R3ubHockeyIt never hurts to listen.
It doesn't hurt to listen but you don't have to get involved in the politics of other counties. Sometimes you gleen valuable informaton and do nothing but listen.
Posted by: AnonymousTalking between nations should be open, and is the first step towards cooperation.
I think that talks between countries, in our case, led by Barrack Obama, should be possible at all times. Although it is desirable to set conditions on talks, the possible outcomes of talks with those unwilling to agree to such conditions far outweigh the benefits of having set any type of conditions.
Posted by: ColossalJeramy56Barack Obama is justified in his actions to open lines of communication.
Barack Obama is justified in his willingness to talk to foreign leaders without preconditions because it presents a position of a willingness to negotiate. It treats other nations as equals in a discussion to make a better world, without taking a negative posture of superiority in talks. It enables other leaders to talk freely on equal footing with the United States.
Posted by: ThegaXenBarack Obama should talk to foreign leaders without preconditions because, otherwise, negotiation is impossible.
When there are preconditions to speaking with someone, you place your agenda as more important than even acknowledging their existence. This not only prevents pursuing your agenda, but insults them and makes them more likely to resist your agenda. However, when a head of state recognizes another head of state as a colleague and equal, then they can have discussions and find common ground, which is a starting point from which agreements can be reached.
Posted by: FlakyHerb64
I oppose dialogue with nations that are not allies without any ground rules.
Right now, Obama wishes to open a dialogue with the Iranian government without any preconditions. This is a wasteful exercise which would serve little purpose other than to waste the time of our diplomats and to provide the Iranian regime with material for propaganda. They have shown no willingness to act in good faith, so why talk to them?
Posted by: HissingBarton72Barack Obama should have some preconditions before talking to foreign leaders because some of them are helping to kill our soldiers.
As an example, Iran is supporting terrorists to kill our military in Iraq and Afghanistan. Any country that helps our enemies during wartime should have some preconditions put on them. Some countries should stop supporting terrorists. Then make arrangements to have talks and negotiations. And he should stand firm with his preconditions.
Posted by: takeitonedayNo, Obama should not discuss policy with all foreign leaders.
There is some truth to the saying that Obama never met a terrorist he didn't like. I'm surprised Obama has not tried to have a heart to heart with Osama Bin Laden. Look the United States president should not be holding talks with enemies of our nation. The president is much too important to be speaking with dictators and thugs. Obama should have more respect for the office he holds.
Posted by: BriaBlackenBarack Obama is not justified in his willingness to talk to foreign leaders without preconditions, because some foreign leaders are being sanctioned by the UN.
Barack Obama is not justified in his willingness to talk to foreign leaders without preconditions, because some foreign leaders are being sanctioned by the UN. Barack Obama should not recognize or negotiate with any foreign leader sanctioned by the UN. When a foreign leader ignores UN sanctions, it is not reasonable to expect him or her to recognize any diplomatic agreement.
Posted by: jackprague94Barack Obama should be aware of dangers of talking to other foreign leaders and should not go forward without preconditions.
Foreign cultures and customs are all different. Therefore, I think the President needs to be careful when meeting with foreign leaders. Preconditions allow all parties to be on the same wavelength and know the rules coming in. Otherwise, there could be a big mis-communication or misunderstanding during the talks, which could lead to global problems.
Posted by: EImerN4th