Biden promises 'new global tone'
Updated on 07 February 2009
It is the beginning of the flesh on the bones the world was waiting for: US Vice-President Joe Biden says America wants to set a new tone, to listen and learn.
Speaking at a security conference in Munich, Biden said relations with Russia should be reset, and Iran should be offered incentives to reject nuclear weapons.
It sounds radical but how truly different is it?
It is not often you hear an American leader talking about the great Persian civilisation. But Biden has promised the Barack Obama administration will adopt a ''new tone'' in its dealings with other countries.
Biden said the US would engage, listen and consult.
He said Iran had a choice to make but if it chose to reject nuclear ambitions and terror it would be offered meaningful incentives.
And although he said the relationship with Russia should be retuned, he added that the US would continue to develop a missile defence system in Europe.
