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November 29, 2009
Iran to World: Bugger Off!
Looks like talking Iran out of it's nuclear weapons program is going to be more difficult than our president imagined. From the Times of London (via Powerline) dateline November 30:
Iran plans to build ten new uranium enrichment plants in a gesture of defiance to the West.The escalation of its nuclear programme was announced yesterday, two days after world powers ordered Iran to halt construction of a plant near Qom and to adhere immediately to five United Nations resolutions demanding it stop uranium enrichment.
The censure from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with rare backing from Russia and China, provoked anger in Iran where members of parliament demanded the withdrawal of co-operation with UN inspectors.
President Ahmadinejad announced last night that his Cabinet had ordered the building of ten new plants aimed at producing up to 300 tonnes of nuclear fuel a year, with construction to begin on five within two months....
Robert Gibbs, President Obama's press spokesman, said that if confirmed the plan would be "yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple UN security council resolutions, and another example of Iran choosing to isolate itself . . . Time is running out for Iran to address the international community's growing concerns."
A senior US official said that the plan constituted the boldest public violation of Iran's international obligations to date, and underlined its unwillingness to reach a peaceful compromise. Western powers have said they will consider new sanctions if Iran has not shown signs of good faith by the end of the year.
They'll "consider new sanctions," eh? I'm sure the mullahs are quaking in their boots.
But er, wait; on Friday International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) diplomats threatened Iran with sanctions, and the Iranians evidently aren't impressed.
The Associated Press:
In a blow to Iran, the board of the U.N. nuclear agency on Friday overwhelmingly backed a demand from the U.S., Russia, China and three other powers that Tehran immediately stop building its newly revealed nuclear facility and freeze uranium enrichment.Iranian officials shrugged off approval of the resolution by 25 members of the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency. But the U.S. and its allies hinted of new U.N. sanctions if Tehran remains defiant.
The West said some time remained for Tehran to come around and accept a specific offer that would delay its ability to make a nuclear weapon as well as engage in broader talks with the ultimate goal of persuading it to mothball its enrichment program.
But that window of opportunity would not stay open indefinitely, officials said.
"The next stage will have to be sanctions if Iran doesn't respond to what is a very clear vote from the world community," British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.
So now they're going to what, ban the sale of number two lead pencils to Iran? Hair spray? Russia and China have said several times that they are not interested in serious sanctions. If we've learned anything from the past eight years or so it's that the Iranians don't feel threatened by the sort of sanctions the "world community" has the stomach to impose.
The fact is that Iran is on the fastrack to obtaining nuclear weapons and all the talk in the world won't stop them. No sanctions that anyone is likely to impose will do any good either. President Obama staked his diplomacy on "engagment" and all that. He'd better engage himself soon or military strikes by Israel or us will be the only options left.
Posted by Tom at November 29, 2009 9:30 PM
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Comments
snake hunters sez:
The censure by the IAEA is "udders on a bull" - They have no enforcement powers, and these threats are meaningless. reb
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Posted by: Ralph E at November 29, 2009 11:58 PM
Chronicle of an announced disaster Tom. I HOPE in years to come we all won't have to think that once there was a time when the world community could easily stop the oncoming trainwreck. I HOPE so. But if history teaches anything...
Dude, no offense, but this time round I don't count on the USA. Not with HBO in office. The best hope for the world is the Israeli Air Force. You can be damn sure that when Tel Aviv deems the moment right and the action necessary, the birds will fly.
Sure, it'll have repercussions. Expect a lot more terror attacks. But better that than mushroom clouds.
Posted by: Outlaw Mike at November 30, 2009 5:55 PM
