Tehran agrees to nuclear freeze

The Guardian ^ | Monday November 8, 2004 | Ian Traynor

[lulo_08]

The European powers secured a pledge from Iran at the weekend that Tehran would halt its uranium enrichment programme within weeks, an agreement that may avert a showdown later this month between Iran and the west.

[lulo_08]

MMMM... It appears the Euros first victory with soft power multilateralism.

[Damifino]

I'll take Korean nuclear treaty commitments for 100 Alex.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

"Mr. President, the Martians have issued a formal apology!"

[RobFromGa]

Of course we can't trust either Iran or the EU at this point, they tried to cover for Saddam too. We must be absolutely convinced that they are complying with their "freeze" and verify it ourselves. Otherwise, it's meaningless.

But if they have really agreed, it is because of fear of US force, not a victory of soft-power multilateralism. Peace through strength.

[bad company]

I'll take Korean nuclear treaty commitments for 100 Alex.

And the answer is "pissing up a rope"

[nonkultur]

Hmmmm, Bush re-elected and Iran stops the nuke program.

[pierrem15]

Another worthless agreement, that in fact just makes things more dangerous, as the Iranians will have more plausible deniability should a rogue nuke suddenly go off in Tel Aviv or New York.

Since the British have had such a large role in this BS, what is Bush going to do?

The only sure way to prevent nukes in Iran is to remove the mullahs.

[lulo_08]

I disagree, I dont think the US will use force against Iran.

[Fiddlstix]

Sounds to me like good 'ol Mr. "Peace For Our Time", Neville Chamberlain has come back from the dead.

[VaBthang4]

The Buzz in diplomatic and intelligence circles [no doubt planted by the CIA] was that a US strike was imminent.

I'd venture a guess in saying that this was probably the motivation behind what will no doubt turn out to be a Euro induced, diluted & ambiguous Iranian pledge with zero [0] guarantees.

[CWOJackson]

"The European powers secured a pledge from Iran..."

Well that settles it. Iran promised the EU...what more could we ask for. Still...it might not hurt to send some Israel inspectors in with F-16's to "verify" the promise.

[lulo_08]

The IAF should do the Job....

[Enchante]

Hmmmm.... would this have happened if Kerry had been elected??? Sure, the 'negotiations' have been going on for awhile, but the deal was only 'closed' when the Mullahs knew they would be facing GW and not John 'Hanoi' Kerry for the next 4 years. I suspect that the Mullahs, like Col. Gadaffi, understand that GW means business. We have to make certain that this isn't just another stall tactic while they complete their program, ala North Korea, but it may be a good sign that the re-election of GW is well understood around the world to mean the USA will not be backing down to a Kerryesque fantasy of warm and fuzzy international relations....

[Shermy]

"MMMM... It appears the Euros first victory with soft power multilateralism."

Oh, Please. The agreement is only for six months, which won't effect Iran at all in its' project. However, maybe France and British Petroleum can cut some deals in the meantime with this BS cover story.

Which is what it's really about - money - as you must know because I can hardly believe an intelligent person like you doesn't know that "soft power multilateralism" is a code word for making sure the EU gets a cut of the pie.

[RobFromGa]

I disagree, I dont think the US will use force against Iran.

We will NOT allow them to get nukes, President Bush has been clear about that. If we don't need to use force great. But the threat is there, and Pres. Bush has shown the mad mullahs that he is not afraid to make hard choices. So, hopefully they fall in place like Libya and not like Iraq.

[lulo_08]

If we strike Iran, THe iranians would reck havoc in iraq.

[Chgogal]

What? "...halt the uranium enrichment programme within weeks." This is total crap. Go back to the negotiating table girlies. Or let the big boys play!

Honestly.

[red flanker]

Potential Neville Award Winners

[lulo_08]

We are having trouble securing the country as it is. I dont see a strike by the US.

[wagglebee]