Iran Scoffs at Nuke Sanction Threat-(its on i guess)

chron ^ | Jan. 11, 2006 | NASSER KARIMI Associated Press Writer

[Flavius]

TEHRAN, Iran — Western sanctions won't impede Iran from resuming research at a uranium enrichment plant, former President Hashemi Rafsanjani said Wednesday in a harsh denunciation of the international outcry over Tehran's nuclear activities.

Iran on Tuesday broke U.N. seals at a uranium enrichment plant and said it was resuming research. Foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany, who have spent two years trying to persuade Iran to halt its uranium conversion and enrichment activities, are scheduled to meet in Berlin on Thursday to consider what steps to take.

Delivering Iran's first reply to an international criticism over the move, Rafsanjani, who heads the powerful Expediency Council, said he was "astonished" by the West's attempt to "bully" Iran.

In a speech for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, Rafsanjani accused the West of trying to limit the progress of the developing world.

"Keeping the Third World and the Islamic world several steps behind has been the West's traditional colonial policy," he said in remarks broadcast live on state television.

"Even if (the Westerners) destroy our scientists, their successors would continue the job," he said. "It would not be easy for them to solve the (nuclear) case by imposing sanctions or anything like that."

Warning the West against trying to curb Iran, he said: "If they cause any disturbance, they will ultimately regret it."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday that Iran's decision caused "real and serious alarm" across the world and it was time to reconsider whether Tehran should be referred to the U.N. Security Council.

Iran's decision to restart its nuclear program, coupled with hard-line Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent inflammatory comments about Israel, "cause real and serious alarm right across the world," Blair said.

Ahmadinejad recently called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and said the Holocaust was a "myth."

"The decision by Iran is very serious indeed," Blair told the House of Commons. "I do not think there is any point in people, or us, hiding our deep dismay at what Iran has decided to do."

Iran said Tuesday that it had broken International Atomic Energy Agency seals at its Natanz uranium enrichment plant and resumed research. While Iranian officials stressed the work would not involve enrichment, the IAEA said Iran planned to carry out small-scale enrichment.

The West has long opposed Iran's performing enrichment as it can produce material suitable for atomic weapons. Iran insists it is only interested in uranium enriched to lower levels, which is used in nuclear reactors that produce electricity.

Iran claims its nuclear program is only for electricity, but Washington accuses it of seeking nuclear weapons.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Tuesday that if Iran continued on its present course, "there is no other choice but to refer the matter to the Security Council," which could impose sanctions.

Blair suggested it was important to consider whether Tehran should be referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions. He pointed out the IAEA had previously suggested a referral, but backed away because Iran had agreed to halt its nuclear activities.

"This is why it is extremely important therefore we take a fresh look at this now," he added.

Gernot Erler, a German deputy foreign minister, cautioned Wednesday against referring the dispute to the Security Council, saying it could further destabilize the Middle East. He said Iran must offer fresh guarantees on its nuclear program for talks with European negotiators to continue.

___

Associated Press Writer Ed Johnson contributed to this story from

[Flavius]

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Tuesday that if Iran continued on its present course, "there is no other choice but to refer the matter to the Security Council," which could impose sanctions.

Blair suggested it was important to consider whether Tehran should be referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions. He pointed out the IAEA had previously suggested a referral, but backed away because Iran had agreed to halt its nuclear activities.

"This is why it is extremely important therefore we take a fresh look at this now," he added.

Gernot Erler, a German deputy foreign minister, cautioned Wednesday against referring the dispute to the Security Council, saying it could further destabilize the Middle East. He said Iran must offer fresh guarantees on its nuclear program for talks with European negotiators to continue.

i just love the pointless jabber

[SlowBoat407]

Remember how well it worked on Iraq? I can just see the UN officials getting the next Oil-for-food pipeline set up now. I wonder what they'll call it this time.

[agere_contra]

Keeping the Third World and the Islamic world several steps behind has been the West's traditional colonial policy

Repeat after me. Zimbabwe is poor and backward because of the West. Venuzuela is poor and backward because of the West. The Islamic world is poor and backward because of the West...

[freedomson]

It's time to set up the pool for the date the ballon goes up. My wager is....

February 20th, 2006

[Flavius]

its even pointless to discuss it, you have one country building military equipment and some ,quasi world gathering, throwing spit balls at them with words written on them

[IrishCatholic]

Let's cut to the chase:
1. The UN and Europe will do nothing because they want money and oil.
2. The UN has proven it is ineffective in all situations.
3. The UN has proven it is corrupt in all situations.
4. Iran states there was never a holocaust. So therefore we should have one. No one seems alarmed...except Israel.
5. All of the above reinforces that no Democrat should ever be in power. No Democrat could handle the problem.

[Flavius]

china belongs to UN, they back every third world dictatorship if it provides oil

USSR build the weapons systems for iranians, what do they care, i guess they figure if they keep iran running around it gives US less time to expand nato towards USSR borders

[finnman69]

the pool is here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1538092/posts
Attack on Iran Bettin Pool

[Emmet Fitzhume]

Oil for Plutonium?

Afterall, Iran is merely building a nuclear reactor for "peaceful purposes."

[Long Distance Rider]

The UN will figure some way to turn this crisis into cash for themselves. 20-30 resolutions and more talk than can be recorded.
The United States will join in the talking because the President's hands are tied. If he commits one act of "aggression" toward Iran, the Congress will impeach him. In a heartbeat.
That leaves Israel. My guess is they will wait until the last minute, then take the Iranian nuclear program out.
The UN and the rest of the world will then condemn Israel and start talking sanctions and maybe the dismantling of the Israeli state. After all Israel was created by the UN. The key to the worlds disdain for Israel is rooted in their traditional antisemitic attitude and the fact that Israel alone in the Mideast has no oil. Therefor they are expendable.

[2001convSVT]

I predict March 15th 2006. "Beware the Ides of March"

[JasonC]

Oh my gosh, not just dismay but deep dismay. Not only deep dismay, but deep dismay that isn't even being hidden! Displayed deep dismay. Blair will deployed DDD weapons to deal with merely thermonuclear ones. That'll show 'em. What amazing wusses.