Richardson: Moderates key in Iran - AP

Richardson: Moderates key in Iran

By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
20 minutes ago

BOSTON - Democratic presidential contender Bill Richardson
believes the United States must reach out to moderate elements
in Iranian society if it is to defuse a standoff between the two
countries over Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.

The New Mexico governor, previewing a speech he was to deliver
later Wednesday in Washington, said after a Boston fundraiser:
"You start first with mediation, with diplomacy, with building
international support for your goals, possibly sanctions. The
good news is that Iran's nuclear weapon development is maybe
three to four years away, so there is time."

Richardson, a former U.N. ambassador under President Clinton,
said he would not seek immediate face-to-face negotiations
with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a hard-liner
elected in 2005, but with others around him.

"I would not pursue him first," said Richardson, who has used
his negotiating skills on a number of foreign rescue missions
over the past two decades on behalf of Americans held prisoner.
"I would pursue other moderate clerics. I would pursue students,
would pursue business leaders. I would pursue moderate elements
in the foreign ministry like former Foreign Minister (Kamal)
Kharazi, who I know. I believe there's a potential for dialogue."

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