Nuclear freeze temporary: Iran

[oldhat]

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-12-2004_pg1_5

Nuclear freeze temporary: Iran

TEHRAN: Iran warned on Sunday that it was not prepared to permanently freeze its controversial nuclear fuel work and that it expected quick results from crucial talks with Britain, France and Germany.

“The permanent suspension of enrichment is not on our agenda,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters on the eve of the negotiations set to take place in Brussels today (Monday).

“We have agreed to a voluntary suspension for a short period. A short-term freeze is what we are stressing,” he added.

The Brussels talks are aimed at building on Iran’s agreement to suspend sensitive uranium enrichment activities that have sparked fears Tehran is seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.

Over the coming months, the two sides will be trying to hammer out a long-term accord that includes “objective guarantees” Iran will not develop the bomb and a package of incentives in return.

This is to include the European Union (EU) supporting Iran’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation, an eventual Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, addressing Iran’s regional security concerns and sharing peaceful nuclear technology.

Iran has pledged to maintain its nuclear fuel cycle freeze for the duration of the talks, but Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Hassan Rowhani also warned that his country would abandon the discussions if no progress was being made.

[livinbella]

1. Bold words from Iran

Are they holding an ace?

[UL_Approved]

3. It's called a trade deal with China

They have backing from China, and will probably have trade backing from the EU before long. Iran is really getting on the ball these days about forming trade alliances to ensure its political and economic survival. The United States is being left out of the world now. We just haven't caught on yet.

[oldhat]

4. You bet.

I'd be amazed if they didn't have at least one crude bomb by this point. They're working on more.

Plus, they're not being stupid by putting their nuclear facilities in a centralized building in the middle of the desert like Saddam did in the 1980s. Their Manhattan Project is spread out all across the country in deep bunkers.

The mullahs are crazy but not stupid.

[McKenzie]

2. If I were leader of a non-nuke nation

I'd be trying hard to get parity. Seems some other nations who have nukes and big armies might invade me if they don't like my nation's politics. Wouldn't any leader think like that?