Arlen Specter: “in evaluating our needs in the Department of Defense authorization bill, key factors will be our relationship with Iran…”

“in evaluating our needs in the Department of Defense authorization bill, key factors will be our relationship with Iran and North Korea as we face two major problems of two nations: one having nuclear weapons and the other appearing to be intent on developing nuclear weapons. I applaud the President's recent move to agree to bilateral negotiations with Iran subject to certain conditions, and I think he was precisely correct in saying that notwithstanding the difficulties with Iran and their apparent intransigence, that all diplomatic efforts ought to be explored before any consideration is given to the use of military force. I think that is a way to approach the international issues. While we deal with some of these tough adversaries, all options should theoretically remain on the table. But to the extent that these problems can be solved through diplomacy, that is obviously the preferable course. In dealing with countries such as Iran and North Korea, it is difficult when the United States has branded them as the ``axis of evil.'' But President Reagan invited Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev to a dialogue within weeks after labeling the U.S.S.R. as the ``evil empire.'' So it is possible to have some tough dialogue and some tough rhetoric and, at the same time, work toward negotiations, no matter how difficult the adversary or potential adversary may be.…”