Ali
10-21-2004, 10:22 AM
US attacks European move on Iran (http://news.ft.com/cms/s/28429320-22fd-11d9-b5b4-00000e2511c8.html)
By Guy Dinmore in Washington and Roula Khalaf in London
Published: October 21 2004 03:00 | Last updated: October 21 2004 03:00
Iran on Wednesday became the focus of new transatlantic divisions over suspected weapons of mass destruction as the US publicly disassociated itself from a European offer of incentives to Tehran to give up its uranium enrichment programme.
Britain, France and Germany will present a package of incentives to Iran on Thursday, offering a last chance to avoid referral to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions against the Islamic regime.
But US on Wednesday made clear it would not be party to such an offer and was opposed to inducements, specifically a European Union offer of light-water nuclear reactor technology and the supply and removal of fuel for a Russian reactor under construction in southern Iran. The EU is also ready to resume talks on a trade agreement.
"We haven't bought on, signed on or endorsed it," Richard Boucher, State Department spokesman, said of the EU proposal, which had been put to the US last Friday at a meeting of the Group of Eight industrialised nations. Japan and Russia backed the idea.
"We fundamentally have concerns about Iran acquiring more nuclear technology and capability," Mr Boucher told a news conference in Washington.
His comments laid bare basic differences between the US policy of imposing sanctions on and containing Iran, and European attempts to use engagement.
The EU proposal will be presented in Vienna through the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is monitoring Iran's nuclear programme. At its last board meeting in September, the nuclear watchdog told Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment activities.
The IAEA board next meets on November 25, when the US wants agreement to refer Iran to the Security Council for non-compliance with its nuclear safeguards commitments.
Mohammad Khatami, Iran's president, said yesterday that diplomatic talks were the only way for Tehran to assure the world of its peaceful intentions. But he insisted on Iran's right to have peaceful nuclear technology, which includes enrichment of uranium.
Iranian officials in Vienna may make a counter-proposal that they continue enrichment activities but under closer international scrutiny.
Uranium can be enriched to a low level for use as nuclear fuel in reactors - as Iran claims it will - or to a higher degree for a weapon. Iran recently resumed production of the gas that serves as the feedstock for enriched uranium.
Despite the transatlantic differences, diplomats said European governments were likely to back American efforts to refer Iran to the Security Council if Iran does not suspend all enrichment activities in time for verification before November 25.
But there are differences over what sanctions might be applied. The EU, also close to splitting over the issue, is concerned the US is planning covert operations or military strikes against Iranian facilities. Sound familiar, anyone?
Let's see. US accuses Oil-Rich Middle Eastern Country of having a Nuclear weapons programme (never the one Middle Eastern Country (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/correspondent/2841377.stm) which definitely does have Nukes)
European countries try to find a peaceful solution, which US rejects, antagonising the Country (and the rest of the fukn world).
Indignant Middle Eastern Country tries to stand up to unsubstantiated claims by US that it has nukes and eventually tells everybody to fuck off and leave it alone.
US uses this as an excuse to impose 'Regime Change' and takes control of said Middle Eastern Country after horrendous war in which thousands of civillians are injured, killed and left homeless.
By Guy Dinmore in Washington and Roula Khalaf in London
Published: October 21 2004 03:00 | Last updated: October 21 2004 03:00
Iran on Wednesday became the focus of new transatlantic divisions over suspected weapons of mass destruction as the US publicly disassociated itself from a European offer of incentives to Tehran to give up its uranium enrichment programme.
Britain, France and Germany will present a package of incentives to Iran on Thursday, offering a last chance to avoid referral to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions against the Islamic regime.
But US on Wednesday made clear it would not be party to such an offer and was opposed to inducements, specifically a European Union offer of light-water nuclear reactor technology and the supply and removal of fuel for a Russian reactor under construction in southern Iran. The EU is also ready to resume talks on a trade agreement.
"We haven't bought on, signed on or endorsed it," Richard Boucher, State Department spokesman, said of the EU proposal, which had been put to the US last Friday at a meeting of the Group of Eight industrialised nations. Japan and Russia backed the idea.
"We fundamentally have concerns about Iran acquiring more nuclear technology and capability," Mr Boucher told a news conference in Washington.
His comments laid bare basic differences between the US policy of imposing sanctions on and containing Iran, and European attempts to use engagement.
The EU proposal will be presented in Vienna through the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is monitoring Iran's nuclear programme. At its last board meeting in September, the nuclear watchdog told Iran to suspend all uranium enrichment activities.
The IAEA board next meets on November 25, when the US wants agreement to refer Iran to the Security Council for non-compliance with its nuclear safeguards commitments.
Mohammad Khatami, Iran's president, said yesterday that diplomatic talks were the only way for Tehran to assure the world of its peaceful intentions. But he insisted on Iran's right to have peaceful nuclear technology, which includes enrichment of uranium.
Iranian officials in Vienna may make a counter-proposal that they continue enrichment activities but under closer international scrutiny.
Uranium can be enriched to a low level for use as nuclear fuel in reactors - as Iran claims it will - or to a higher degree for a weapon. Iran recently resumed production of the gas that serves as the feedstock for enriched uranium.
Despite the transatlantic differences, diplomats said European governments were likely to back American efforts to refer Iran to the Security Council if Iran does not suspend all enrichment activities in time for verification before November 25.
But there are differences over what sanctions might be applied. The EU, also close to splitting over the issue, is concerned the US is planning covert operations or military strikes against Iranian facilities. Sound familiar, anyone?
Let's see. US accuses Oil-Rich Middle Eastern Country of having a Nuclear weapons programme (never the one Middle Eastern Country (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/correspondent/2841377.stm) which definitely does have Nukes)
European countries try to find a peaceful solution, which US rejects, antagonising the Country (and the rest of the fukn world).
Indignant Middle Eastern Country tries to stand up to unsubstantiated claims by US that it has nukes and eventually tells everybody to fuck off and leave it alone.
US uses this as an excuse to impose 'Regime Change' and takes control of said Middle Eastern Country after horrendous war in which thousands of civillians are injured, killed and left homeless.