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Obama says Iran's energy concerns legitimate
Washington Post ^ | Tuesday, June 2, 2009 | NANCY ZUCKERBROD

Posted on 06/02/2009 5:10:15 PM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER

Obama says Iran's energy concerns legitimate

By NANCY ZUCKERBROD
The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 2, 2009 3:40 PM

LONDON -- President Barack Obama reiterated that Iran may have some right to nuclear energy _ provided it takes steps to prove its aspirations are peaceful.

In a BBC interview broadcast Tuesday, Obama also restated plans to pursue direct diplomacy with Tehran to encourage it to set aside any ambitions for nuclear weapons it might harbor.

Iran has insisted its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity. But the U.S. and other Western governments accuse Tehran of seeking atomic weapons.

"Without going into specifics, what I do believe is that Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations. On the other hand, the international community has a very real interest in preventing a nuclear arms race in the region," Obama said.

The comments echo remarks Obama made in Prague last month in which he said his administration would "support Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy with rigorous inspections" if Iran proves it is no longer a nuclear threat.

Iranian state television described the news as Obama recognizing the "rights of the Iranian nation," a phrase typically used to refer to Iran's nuclear program...

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Israel
KEYWORDS: iran; israel; nuclearwar; nukes; obama
Up is down, day is night, good is bad.
1 posted on 06/02/2009 5:10:16 PM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER
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To: ROCKLOBSTER

Unreal.


2 posted on 06/02/2009 5:12:47 PM PDT by allmost
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To: ROCKLOBSTER

Iran is an islamic state. Therefore, they are respected and held in high esteem by Barack Hussien Obama.

Who didn’t see this coming?

So, those who stayed home, tell me again, this is no worse than McCain, right?


3 posted on 06/02/2009 5:15:09 PM PDT by brownsfan (Kool aid comes in two new flavors: Hope and Change.)
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To: ROCKLOBSTER
energy concerns are real

Obozo.... so are the US's concerns on energy you pandering patsy of the oligarchs. Where the hell is our nuclear energy plan, policy, action or whatever you want to call it.

Time for Barack Che Osama Obama to head on back to Columbia U. where they all live in a fantasy world.
4 posted on 06/02/2009 5:21:44 PM PDT by Fred (Proud Member of the Obama Enemies List)
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To: ROCKLOBSTER

We have always been at war with Eurasia. Eastasia is our friend.


5 posted on 06/02/2009 5:23:42 PM PDT by shibumi (" ..... then we will fight in the shade.")
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To: Fred

The only explanations are evil, insane, or naively stupid.


6 posted on 06/02/2009 5:24:23 PM PDT by johniegrad
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To: ROCKLOBSTER

So Iran gets a new nuke plant, but the US cannot ? With leaders like this, who needs enemies ?


7 posted on 06/02/2009 5:28:42 PM PDT by justa-hairyape
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To: justa-hairyape
With leaders like this...

The Klintrons gave nuke technology to the NORKs, and missile launch tech to the Chicoms.

8 posted on 06/02/2009 5:31:16 PM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER (RATs...nothing more than Bald Haired Hippies!)
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To: ROCKLOBSTER

Okay.....and Iran is out of petroleum? Am I missing something? They need nuclear energy because they have environmental folks shutting down their oil fields?
Don’t they have a LOT of oil? Am I wrong?

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Iran/Oil.html

Oil
Iran is OPEC’s second-largest oil producer and the fourth-largest crude oil exporter in the world.
According to Oil and Gas Journal, as of January 2009, Iran has an estimated 136.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, or roughly 10 percent of the world’s total proven petroleum. Iran has 40 producing fields, 27 onshore and 13 offshore, with the majority of crude oil reserves located in the southwestern Khuzestan region near the Iraqi border. Iran’s crude oil is generally medium in sulfur content and in the 28°-35° API range. In 2007, Iran exported about 2.4 million bbl/d of oil, primarily to Asian and OECD Europe countries, making it the fourth largest exporter in the world.

Top Proven World Oil Reserves, January 1, 2009

Sector Organization

The state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), under the supervision of the Ministry of Petroleum, is responsible for oil and natural gas production and exploration. The National Iranian South Oil Company (NISOC), a subsidiary of NIOC, accounts for 80 percent of the local oil production covering the provinces of Khuzestan, Bushehr, Fars, and Kohkiluyeh va Boyer Ahamd. Though private ownership of upstream functions is prohibited under the Iranian constitution, the government permits buyback contracts which allow international oil companies (IOCs) to enter exploration and development through an Iranian affiliate. The contractor receives a remuneration fee, usually an entitlement to oil or gas from the developed operation.

Production
Iran is OPEC’s second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia. In 2007, Iran produced approximately 4.1 million barrels per day (bbl/d) of total liquids, of which roughly 3.8 million bbl/d was crude oil, equal to about 4.5 percent of global production. For most of 2008, it is estimated that Iran’s OPEC production was approximately 3.8 million bbl/d; OPEC-wide cuts in late 2008 have lowered its production quota to roughly 3.6 million bbl/d. Iran’s current crude oil production capacity is estimated to be 3.9 million bbl/d.


9 posted on 06/02/2009 5:48:32 PM PDT by Wife of D
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To: ROCKLOBSTER

Is Obama stoned or just stupid?


10 posted on 06/02/2009 5:49:59 PM PDT by Bobibutu
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To: ROCKLOBSTER

oOh_bummer is extremely delusional,maybe the madrasses helped that along..


11 posted on 06/02/2009 5:50:13 PM PDT by aeonspromise
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To: AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; george76; ...
Another topic on this.
Donkey Burger

12 posted on 06/02/2009 6:06:14 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: ROCKLOBSTER
OLD NEWS!!! Sometimes I wonder if the press ever pays attention to what is said outside our borders.

from the Prague speech transcript in April, 2009:
Iran has yet to build a nuclear weapon. And my Administration will seek engagement with Iran based upon mutual interests and mutual respect, and we will present a clear choice. We want Iran to take its rightful place in the community of nations, politically and economically. We will support Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy with rigorous inspections. That is a paththat the Islamic Republic can take. Or the government can choose increased isolation, international pressure, and a potential nuclear arms race in the region that will increase insecurity for all.

Has anyone else seen any press reports about this?  Isn't this the same policy that led North Korea to create nuclear weapons? 

Remarks of President Barack Obama

Hradčany Square
Prague, Czech Republic
April 5, 2009

 Video 

13 posted on 06/02/2009 6:13:16 PM PDT by Andy from Beaverton (I'm so anti-pc, I use a Mac)
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To: Andy from Beaverton
Seems he said it again today, to the BBC.

John Gibson was talking about it on his radio show.

14 posted on 06/02/2009 6:37:07 PM PDT by ROCKLOBSTER (RATs...nothing more than Bald Haired Hippies!)
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To: johniegrad
The only explanations are evil, insane, or naively stupid.

I see your evil and raise you determined, calculating and islamic.

15 posted on 06/02/2009 6:39:54 PM PDT by GBA
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