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| Nuclear powers to put Iran on double secret probation | |
| 2006-01-07 | |
| The five major nuclear powers are working on a joint warning statement that aims to show unusual unified resolve and put fresh pressure on Iran not to resume nuclear fuel research, U.S. officials and diplomats said on Friday. Iran, making a confrontation increasingly likely, has defied the international community with its threat to resume on January 9 atomic fuel research and development that was shelved over a year ago at the West's insistence. In an effort to bring new pressure in the hours before Tehran takes what could be a fateful step, the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China were working on a statement opposing the Iranian move and urging that Tehran return to negotiations on a compromise proposal, officials and diplomats told Reuters. Although the statement, known as a demarche, is not expected to contain specific threats, such as bringing Iran to the U.N. Security Council where sanctions could be imposed, officials said it could have significant political impact. "It's another ratchet upward in terms of diplomatic pressure" because it is the first coordinated initiative on Iran by the five nuclear weapon states and would "show unity and cohesion among the P5, which has not always been there," said one U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the diplomacy was still in play. P5 refers to the fact that the five nuclear powers are also the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. The goal was to issue the statement in the next 24 hours, but there were still some debate, officials said. A senior U.S. official said China was resisting joint action and wanted each of the five nuclear powers to issue separate statements on Iran.
Russia, which is building Iran's nuclear plant at Bushehr, and China have been the most reluctant to conclude that Iran's nuclear activities are a serious concern and to join the United States and the European Union 3 -- Britain, France and Germany -- in demanding a halt. Years of International Atomic Energy Agency inquiries have unearthed no clear proof of weapons activity, but Iran has acknowledged pursuing covert energy-related nuclear programs for 18 years. In September, the IAEA board found Iran in non-compliance with its obligations under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The EU 3, with U.S. backing, have tried to resolve the conflict diplomatically. Moscow tried to sweeten the deal by proposing a joint venture with Iran to enrich uranium in Russia but Iranian officials described the proposal as unacceptable. Russia for the first time is chairman of the Group of Eight major industrialized countries, so it is under a spotlight to demonstrate leadership abilities. Russian and Iranian officials are to meet in Tehran this weekend and diplomats say the talks could have a major impact on whether Moscow backs stronger future diplomatic action on Iran, such as U.N. Security Council referral. For two years, Washington has threatened to elevate Iran's case to the Security Council but delayed forcing a showdown as other strategies were tried, or support from countries like Russia was lacking. U.S. officials insist U.N. referral looks increasingly likely, although the timing is vague, and some experts say they hear serious talk of the IAEA board trying to effect an end to any nuclear cooperation with Iran. | |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #6 I'm not certain of the air currents over Iran. Can we wait and catch a strong northeasterly flow when we put the warm glow into Iran ? That way the Chinese will get the full benefit and maybe we can get a couple of million there for free. |
| Posted by: SOP35/Rat 2006-01-07 17:18 |
| #5 Beverage of choice at IAEA negotiations |
| Posted by: doc 2006-01-07 13:49 |
| #4 But it is New And Improved Nuance™. I have full faith that it would make us all safer. I mean, just look at the diplomatic horsepower behind this thing! It's gotta succeed, it must, and it will......[*takes a few deep breaths*] |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2006-01-07 11:34 |
| #3 Although the statement, known as a demarche, is not expected to contain specific threats... French words are so , uh, threatening by themselves! |
| Posted by: Inspector Clueso 2006-01-07 06:12 |
| #2 You think the Russians would learn... at some point... that it's not a good idea to give guns and ammunition to your psychotic neighbors. |
| Posted by: 2b 2006-01-07 02:04 |
| #1 It separates the Men from the |
| Posted by: .com 2006-01-07 01:26 |