Talks or an ultimatum?

Yet another headline that isn't quite what it seems. The Globe and Mail boldly announces top of the front page, "U.S. Offers Talks with Iran." Some talks. The Americans will join multilateral negotiations, but only if Iran agrees ahead of time to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities, and only to discuss Iran's nuclear program, nothing else.

According to the always charming U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, "This is a very specific choice that is being given to Iran: Abandon your nuclear weapons ambitions or face isolation." Sounds like she's planning a very short conversation. That is if Iran will accept a U.S. presence if it requires pre-conditions. They've indicated they won't, and why would they? With all due respect to Ms. Rice, the Chinese, for example, might rank their need for oil ahead of isolating Iran.