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Iran rejects Kerry nuke proposal
NBR ^ | Sep 6th 04

Posted on 09/06/2004 7:32:34 AM PDT by F14 Pilot

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi has bluntly rejected a nuclear disarmament plan floated by US vice presidential hopeful John Edwards, calling it "campaigning."

Under the plan, thought to have originated with US presidential hopeful John Kerry, Iran could keep its nuclear power plants if it gave up the right to retain bomb-making nuclear fuel.

Floated to the Washington Post last week by Senator Edwards, the proposal was seen in some quarters as an indication that a Kerry presidency would take a dramaticaly different tack in its handling of relations with Iran, which is officially listed by the US as a state sponsor of terrorism -- in fact, as the "most active state sponsor of terrorism in 2003."

Senator Edwards told the WPost that the proposal would represent a "great bargain" for Iran -- and that should Iran reject it, a Kerry administration would be forced to conclude that Iran actually was, as the Bush administration now contends, actively pursuing the weaponisation of nuclear materials.

He said the US would then rally European support for heavy sanctions against Iran.

"If we are engaging with Iranians in an effort to reach this great bargain and if in fact this is a bluff that they are trying to develop nuclear weapons capability, then we know that our European friends will stand with us," Senator Edwards told the WPost.

According to the WPost, Senator Kerry's proposal would see the Iranian nuclear fuel supply supervised and provided by other countries.

President Bush, however, has pressed for a complete end to Iran's nuclear development programme, saying that the country's vast petrochemical base negates any legitimate need for the development of a nuclear-driven source of power.

"Iran has no legitimate requirement for nuclear reactors, uranium enrichment or plutonium production capability. Its huge oil and gas reserves belie a need for even one reactor, let alone several," said one official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, according to China Daily.

Tehran, however, has said it is looking to the future needs of a population that has doubled in the past 25 years and shows no signs of slowing its growth -- or its need for energy, which would grow even faster than it has historically should the nation be successful in its efforts at modernisation of industry.

Rather than welcoming the Edwards initiative, however, which closely resembles plans floated in Europe, Iranian authorities were unmoved, branding the offer as mere campaign rhetoric.

According to an AFP story headlined in Turkish Press, foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters that: "These kind of comments are mostly campaigning, and you cannot accurately assess and appraise these comments. We have to see which candidate gets elected and then see their policies in practice. This is campaigning and nothing new."

New Zealand has been actively courting Iran on the trade front recently but has cautioned the state that it stands strongly against nuclear proliferation.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Germany; Government; Israel; News/Current Events; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: eu; iaea; iran; irannukes; kerry; kerryforeignpolicy; nukes; us
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1 posted on 09/06/2004 7:32:36 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
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To: DoctorZIn; McGavin999; freedom44; nuconvert; sionnsar; AdmSmith; dixiechick2000; onyx; Pro-Bush; ...

ping!


2 posted on 09/06/2004 7:33:25 AM PDT by F14 Pilot (Democracy is a process not a product)
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To: F14 Pilot

So much for Kerry getting countries to do as he wants.


3 posted on 09/06/2004 7:34:59 AM PDT by stockpirate (Dick Morris; Before he spoke, supporting Bush was a duty one owed to the fallen. Now, it is an honor)
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To: F14 Pilot

In the words of Nelson Munz . . .


4 posted on 09/06/2004 7:35:07 AM PDT by BenLurkin (We have low inflation and and low unemployment.)
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To: F14 Pilot

"Senator Edwards told the WPost that the proposal would represent a "great bargain" for Iran -- and that should Iran reject it, a Kerry administration would be forced to conclude that Iran actually was, AS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION NOW CONTENDS, actively pursuing the weaponisation of nuclear materials.


5 posted on 09/06/2004 7:35:36 AM PDT by Bigh4u2
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To: F14 Pilot
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi has bluntly rejected a nuclear disarmament plan floated by US vice presidential hopeful John Edwards, calling it "campaigning."

LOL! The Mullahs didn't get McAuliffe's talking points memo in time.

6 posted on 09/06/2004 7:35:40 AM PDT by Semper Paratus
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To: F14 Pilot

Bwahahahahah!


7 posted on 09/06/2004 7:36:16 AM PDT by nuffsenuff
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To: Bigh4u2

So what do we need Kerry and Edwards for??


8 posted on 09/06/2004 7:36:42 AM PDT by Bigh4u2
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To: F14 Pilot
Iran, sensing a kinder, gentler approach to terrorism from America, replied "No thank you", "er, Sir".
9 posted on 09/06/2004 7:37:01 AM PDT by Centaur (Never practice moderation to excess.)
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To: F14 Pilot

So maybe we should look at this as a good thing: At least ONE of the senators is working...... ;^)


10 posted on 09/06/2004 7:38:26 AM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Guess what? Your 72 virgins look like Michael Moore!)
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To: Semper Paratus

This article needs to be posted on the GOP websites, etc... you can bet the MSM will not highlight this latest "stepping in du-du" by JFK...


11 posted on 09/06/2004 7:38:44 AM PDT by VRWCTexan (History has a long memory - but still repeats itself)
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To: Bigh4u2

These guys are clueless, absolutely clueless.


12 posted on 09/06/2004 7:38:48 AM PDT by fhayek (Spitball veteran for Bush)
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To: Semper Paratus; nuffsenuff

Well, I guess this makes John Edwards the front runner for the Nobel Peace Prize!


13 posted on 09/06/2004 7:39:34 AM PDT by demkicker
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: F14 Pilot

But John Kerry said he would come up with much more intelligent, sensitive solutions to our foreign policy problems. Why would Iran reject a solution of this caliber out of hand? I just don't understand.


15 posted on 09/06/2004 7:40:00 AM PDT by rbg81
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To: F14 Pilot
Hummmmm? Guess eFing's spitballs for plutonium offer didn't fly...

Donate to Swift Boat Vets for the Truth HERE.
My Campaign Button Page
and My Toons Page

16 posted on 09/06/2004 7:40:22 AM PDT by sonofatpatcher2 (Texas, Love & a .45-- What more could you want, campers? };^)
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Comment #17 Removed by Moderator

To: F14 Pilot
Rather than welcoming the Edwards initiative, however, which closely resembles plans floated in Europe, Iranian authorities were unmoved, branding the offer as mere campaign rhetoric.

Well, that's exactly what it is but if the Iranians were smart they would create the appearance that they were in favor of the sKerry/Eddy plan.

The fact is, Kerry is their guy, the terrorists candidate of choice, and he would do everything they wanted if he were elected.

Fortunately these bozos can't figure that out.

Alluh FUBAR!

18 posted on 09/06/2004 7:42:00 AM PDT by evad (We cannot afford 9-10 thinkers in a 9-11 world)
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To: F14 Pilot

Geez, I just lost a lot of respect for the mullahs. I thought they would at least play the rug merchant game for Kerry/Edwards. You know, they say, "Aha! Americans we can do business with! Yes, elect these guys and we'll play ball. So much more reasonable than that cowboy Bush. A rug merchant's word is his bond, after all!"


19 posted on 09/06/2004 7:43:29 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets ("And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths")
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To: F14 Pilot

It sounds as if everyone is rejecting Kerry.


20 posted on 09/06/2004 7:45:20 AM PDT by etradervic (Kerry is a Left-Wing Dinosaur)
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