Emanuel defends US policy on Mideast peace process, Iran(1)

              White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday defended US President Barack Obama's Middle East policies, saying that efforts to engage Iran through dialogue and earnest attempts to jump-start the peace process were bearing fruit. "A year ago, Iran was united in its nuclear ambitions and the world was divided in its response," Emanuel said while addressing the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly in Washington. "Today, thanks to the work of the president, there is strong and international consensus against a nuclear armed Iran. That is the goal of America." Turning to dialogue on a different front, Emanuel defended the current American policy regarding the Palestinians and Israelis. "There are those who've questioned that, as this administration has sought to be engaged in the region," he said. "There are some who suggest this implies a diminished level of support for Israel...That is not the intent and that is not the case, and never will be." "The truth is just the opposite," Emanuel continued. "It is only through dialogue that we can achieve lasting peace that Israel seeks." Although the speech comes amid talk of a potential crisis in relations between the US and Israel - a crisis which some say was evidenced by the White House delay in scheduling the meeting between Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday - the chief of staff sought to allay those fears by peppering his remarks with words of support for Israel. (19,53)