Iran’s Nuclear Envoy Resigns; Talks in Doubt

[Gunny]

By NAZILA FATHI and MICHAEL SLACKMAN

TEHRAN, Oct. 20 — Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, viewed by the West as a moderating influence in Tehran, resigned before crucial talks with Europe this week over Iran’s nuclear program, signaling that officials here may have closed the door to any possible negotiated settlement in its standoff with the West.

The negotiator, Ali Larijani, was among a small group of officials who, while supportive of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, have tried to press back against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his more radical approach, which has left Iran increasingly isolated.

But with Mr. Larijani’s resignation, it appears that the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in all matters of state, has fallen in squarely behind the president. Mr. Ahmadinejad represents the most radical face of the leadership, which has defied the United Nations Security Council twice and sped up the process of uranium enrichment. Mr. Larijani had been appointed by and reported to the supreme leader.

Now, with oil prices high enough to help Iran mitigate the effects of any new sanctions, and with Russia’s president, Vladimir V. Putin, having made a historic trip to Tehran last week, it appears that the top leadership has settled on a single, radical track.

more ... http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/w...a1cc8d962f0339&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

This just gets better by the minute.

 

[doniston]

This just gets better by the minute.

Better or worser, dependent upon the eye of the beholder.

 

[Gunny]

Better or worser, dependent upon the eye of the beholder.

My remark was facetious. There is NOTHING "better" about a religious kook willing to kill himself to kill others who don't believe what he does having the power to wipe out millions at his fingertip.