Many in Pakistan argue that if Washington is prepared to hold talks with the Afghan Taliban, then the U.S shouldn't standintheway of Islamabad's negotiations with militants there, who are responsible for killing thousands of civilians and security personnel.
They could also provide a forum to counteract Republican attacks, and remind senators of the kind of voter turnout they might encounter inthe midterm elections if they decide to standintheway of Obama's program.
When others were unduly concerned about the Soviet reaction and seemed prepared to accommodate the Russians' reluctance to withdraw their troops from East Germany, Ms Rice rightly stood up for the view that Russia should be allowed to do nothing that would standintheway of Germany's unification.