Clark favors a timeline that gives us the most flexibility and political leverage. [View All]

Clark shows experience as one who has been involved in high-level negotiation by underscoring the difference between a publically announced timeline and one that is understood by the parties doing the talking.

"General Clark, your thoughts on the IRG recommendation for pullback"

"I think they're pretty common sense, There's no other way to proceed than to have a regional diplomatic dialogue. And I agree there should be a fixed timeline in front of that dialogue...it's fine to draw those (timelines) out internally, but to release those and commit to those before we've done the diplomatic discussions in the region, I think it puts the cart before the horse."

From today's Washington Journal (first 5 minutes or so)

http://www.ptnine.com/113006.WMV