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Hand over nuclear weapons and know-how, Iran tells Britain
By Anton La Guardia, Diplomatic Editor
(Filed: 11/08/2004)
Iran has issued an extraordinary list of demands to Britain and other European countries, telling them to provide advanced nuclear technology, conventional weapons and a security guarantee against nuclear attack by Israel.
Teheran's request, said by British officials to have "gone down very badly", sharply raises the stakes in the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme, which Britain and America believe is aimed at making an atomic bomb.
Iran's move came during crisis talks in Paris this month with senior diplomats from Britain, France and Germany.
The "EU-3" were trying to convince Iranian officials to honour an earlier deal to suspend its controversial uranium enrichment programme, which is ostensibly designed to make fuel for nuclear power stations but could also be used to make fissile material for nuclear bombs.
Iranian officials refused point-blank to comply, saying they had every right under international law to pursue "peaceful" nuclear technology.
They then stunned the Europeans by presenting a letter setting out their own demands.
Iran said the EU-3 should support Iran's quest for "advanced (nuclear) technology, including those with dual use" - a reference to equipment that has both civilian and military applications.
The Europeans should "remove impediments" preventing Iran from having such technology, and stick to these commitments even if faced with "legal (or) political . . . limitations", an allusion to American pressure or even future international sanctions against Iran.
More astonishingly, Iran said the EU-3 should agree to meet Iran's requirements for conventional weapons and even "provide security assurances" against a nuclear attack on Iran.This is a reference to Israel's nuclear arsenal, believed to include some 200 warheads and long-range missiles to deliver them.
The EU-3 are still debating over how to respond, but British officials said the Iranian letter was "extremely surprising, given the delicate state of process". Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, will have to decide whether to adopt a more confrontational policy.
America is demanding that the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which meets next month, refer Iran to the UN Security Council for possible sanctions. US officials are also openly discussing "covert" means of disrupting the Iranian nuclear programme, while Israel has openly threatened military action.
However, there were signs yesterday that the next report of Mohammed ElBaradei, the IAEA director general, may give Iran a boost.
A key mystery for the past year has been the source of traces of highly-enriched uranium (HEU) found by IAEA inspectors at several sites in Iran. Teheran claimed this was "contamination" of equipment imported from other countries, rather than proof that it had secretly made HEU.
According to diplomats, inspectors have confirmed that in at least one case the contamination did come from Pakistan, as Iran claimed.
Other contamination issues remain unresolved, and may never be settled. Moreover there are several other open questions.
freeandfun1 said:I didn't reply to it because the thoughts of what is LIKELY to happen from all this is scary. It amazes me HOW WE ALL sit here not realizing how close this world is to MAJOR conflict. I really do think that Iran is going to be a flash-point very soon and frankly, it scares the shit outta me!
We cannot sit by and let them get nukes. If we do, they will blackmail us as sure as taxes and death.
Agree in all respects. They see themselves now on the brink of being a "major" player and that is indeed very scary.freeandfun1 said:I didn't reply to it because the thoughts of what is LIKELY to happen from all this is scary. It amazes me HOW WE ALL sit here not realizing how close this world is to MAJOR conflict. I really do think that Iran is going to be a flash-point very soon and frankly, it scares the shit outta me!
We cannot sit by and let them get nukes. If we do, they will blackmail us as sure as taxes and death.
Kathianne said:I share your fears. What really troubles me though, how long can Europe keep giving into this type of nonsense? Do they truly believe that talking about this stuff, when handed those kinds of demands, is going to stop the certain path Iran is marching down?
HGROKIT said:Seems as though the launch went off without a hitch http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040811/D84D3MEO0.html
I bet my next paycheck they have a weapon to put on that missle and it is not conventional.
They want to be the FIRST to hit Israel and test the world's resolve. Hell they don't care, it is all in the name of their fanatacism and allah.
Mr. P said:I've said it before.....Can you say imminent THREAT in French or German?
http://www.usmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10029
Naw, the French and Germans are in their hip pockets or should I say turbans. These two countries will try and weasle and appease.Mr. P said:I've said it before.....Can you say imminent THREAT in French or German?
http://www.usmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10029
Much agreed, however, we neither have a MacArthur or Patton today - not that any of our elected precious would let tehm have their way either.freeandfun1 said:Al Sadr is being financed by Iran and some suspect many of the insurgents in Iraq were trained in Iran. So in a sense, the war with Iran has begun. Kinda like the Chinese during the Korean war.... but this time, hopefully, our Generals will be allowed to deploy whatever means needed to defeat the enemy. No Truman in office now, but if Kerry gets elected, oh shit!
Kathianne said:Great source. FYI if you click the # at top right of post, it creates a direct link, so you don't have to cruise through the whole thread.
wade said:My position remains as it has been since even before 911. It is time for the USA to use limited nuclear attacks to deal with these enemies. In particular, neutron bomb attacks, focused to wipe out the facilities and key personel involved.
It is inevitable that if this all does break out into a larger scale conflict, nukes of some kind will be used. If we use them before it gets that far, it may cause our enemies to rethink their chances of any form of success.
How's that for being a "Liberal" ;-)
Wade.
Free, I am not so sure we have years here. I would like to think we do, but am afraid we do not. I don't think cooler heads are gonna prevail here. IMO there are too many shit for hole countries out to make a name for themselves against Israel or the US.freeandfun1 said:Not sure if I should take you at your word, but regardless, I hate to say it, but I am DEATHLY afraid that nukes will be used within the next say, 3 - 5 years MAX!
