Iran says it will deliver response Aug. 22

AP via Yahoo ^

[nuconvert]

Iran says it will deliver response Aug. 22

By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer

Iran said Thursday it would formally respond on Aug. 22 to a Western package of incentives aimed at resolving the standoff over its suspect nuclear program — the first time the Islamic republic has set a specific date for its reply.

The Supreme National Security Council, Iran's top security decision-making body, also threatened that the country would reconsider its nuclear policies if sanctions were imposed by the United Nations.

The council did not elaborate, but Iranian officials repeatedly have suggested that Tehran may withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and stop cooperating with U.N. inspectors.

"The package of incentives requires a logical time to study it ... Aug. 22 has been set for declaring (our) views," the council said in a statement read on state-run television.

"In case the path of confrontation is chosen instead of the path of dialogue ... and Iran's definite rights are threatened, then there will be no option for Iran but to reconsider its nuclear policies."

The statement came a day after Russia said the U.N. Security Council is in no rush to pressure Iran over its nuclear program, striking a more conciliatory tone than the United States as diplomats began discussing a resolution to put legal muscle behind demands that Tehran suspend uranium enrichment.

The United States and some of its allies accuse Iran of seeking to produce highly enriched uranium and plutonium for nuclear weapons. Tehran says its nuclear program is peaceful and aimed at generating electricity.

In Thursday's statement, Iran said it plans to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear energy in the next 20 years.

The Western nations on June 6 offered Iran a package of incentives — including advanced technology and possibly even nuclear research reactors — if Tehran suspended enrichment.

But the frustrated powers agreed last week to send Iran back to the U.N. Security Council for possible punishment, saying Tehran had given no sign it would bargain in earnest over its nuclear ambitions.

Iran has said the incentives package was an "acceptable basis" for negotiations.

Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad initially said Iran would respond to the package in mid-August, but the republic then pushed back its response to late August. Thursday's statement was the first time a specific date was set.

The United States has accused Iran of stalling while it continues to pursue suspect technology, but Tehran accused Washington on Thursday of putting up "obstacles."

The Iranian council said special committees in key state agencies were still studying the offer by the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany, and it invited the United States and its allies to return to the negotiating table.

It said it was "surprising" that the United States was creating obstacles for a negotiated settlement while Iran was seriously studying the offer.

"Iran is not after tension, but if others push things toward tension and create problems, then all will face problems. Iran believes dialogue is the most logical solution. It is serious in this path. We want the other side to return to the negotiating table," the statement said.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to a negotiated settlement through diplomacy. The United States, by changing the path of talks toward the Security Council, is trying to create obstacles."

A senior Iranian lawmaker said Tuesday the country's parliament was preparing to debate withdrawal from the nonproliferation treaty if the U.N. Security Council adopts a resolution that would force Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment.

Withdrawal from the treaty could end all international oversight of Iran's nuclear program.

In February, Iran for the first time produced its first batch of low-enriched uranium, using a cascade of 164 centrifuges. The process of uranium enrichment can be used to generate electricity or in building a bomb, depending on the level of enrichment.

Iran has said it will never give up its right under the treaty to enrich uranium and produce nuclear fuel, but it has indicated it may temporarily suspend large-scale activities to ease tensions.

[Westbrook]

It is my suspicion that their response will consist of a nuclear detonation, either as a test, or worse.

.

[badpacifist]

August 22nd

Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has rejected Western demands that he respond to a new proposal regarding the cessation of Iran’s nuclear efforts by the middle of this month. To the consternation of officials in Europe and Washington, Ahmadinejad promised only to respond by the end of the Iranian month of Mordad (August 22). Why that date? Why so long to look over a simple package of incentives and give either a negative or a positive reply? Finding the answers to these troubling questions may require America and Europe to come to terms with a reality Western liberalism has done its best to ignore - that Islam remains engaged in a clash of civilizations with the Judeo-Christian world. You see, Ahmadinejad is a strong believer in the Shi’ite tradition of a 12th imam, the so-called “hidden” Imam Mahdi who Allah has miraculously kept alive since his disappearance in 874 AD. As the story goes, Imam Mahdi will return at a time of great global chaos, oppression and bloodshed and usher in an era of (Islamic) justice. Ahmadinejad sees himself as Allah’s instrument to pave the way for Imam Mahdi, and constantly uses public appearances to urge his countrymen to prepare to back him in this task. Rumor is, Imam Mahdi could be returning this August (or shortly thereafter), just around the time some military experts believe Iran will be ready to construct its first nuclear weapon. Go figure. Ahmadinejad has made clear his confidence that he and other true believers can affect this apocalyptic timetable, and will use all means at his disposal to do so. Also of note is that August 22 of this year corresponds with the Islamic date of Rajab 28, the day Saladin conquered and entered Jerusalem. Taken in conjunction with Ahmadinejad’s stated desire to see Israel destroyed, it hardly seems a coincidence. Will the coming months see Ahmadinejad attempt to bring about Imam Mahdi’s return by attacking Israel and generating the necessary regional and global chaos? Perhaps the better question is, will the West start to take this man at his word in time to stop him?

[FreedomNeocon]

The U.S. intelligence community has not been surprised by Iran's refusal to respond to a Western incentive package to suspend its uranium enrichment. Intelligence sources said Iran, following North Korea's model, intends to delay any response or negotiations for as long as possible.

The European Union and the United States demanded that Iran reply to the Western incentive package of nuclear technology, fuel and aircraft by June 29. But Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Teheran would submit an answer by Aug. 22.

The U.S. intelligence community has been trying to figure out why Ahmadinejad chose that date. Sources said the community was stumped until some Islam experts translated the Gregorian date to that of the Muslim calendar.

Then came the surprise that has the intelligence community worried.

Aug. 22 corresponds to Rajab 27 on the Muslim calendar. The date is called Lailat Al Israa, when Mohammed ascended to heaven from the Al Aqsa mosque to receive the five daily prayers. Later, Al Aqsa came to represent Jerusalem.

The Muslim commemoration is meant to be a night of struggle, accompanied by thunder and lightening, resembling the story of Moses ascending Mount Sinai to receive the Old Testament.

Ahmadinejad could be hinting to the West that he is preparing a major attack on Israel. Or, the Iranian president could be warning that unless the West caves in, he would escalate tension in the region. The lightening in Mohammed's story could represent Iranian missiles.

What is clear is that Ahmadinejad does not see himself as an Iranian leader, but a Muslim prophet, using imagery to portray himself as a messiah for both Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims.

[Gay State Conservative]

In case anybody's wondering,the response will be that they need another 5 years to fully examine the package and that they'll get back to us then.

[austinaero]

Will Iran still exist on August 22nd?

[Paul Ross]

Withdrawal from the treaty could end all international oversight of Iran's nuclear program.

They won't formally "withdraw" until they have successfully defacto deployed. They will run this string out interminably, knowing that the current passel of UN and EU leaders make Neville Chamberlain look positively decisive and militant.

Meanwhile, we need to be seriously weighing our options, including ending the slow-walking and non-deployments policies of the administration as concluded by the

Independent Working Group Report on Missile Defense

[TomGuy]

hmmmm... any connection with this previous post?

HEADS UP !! MIND BOGGLING IRANIAN THREAT

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad has declared he will make an announcement - earliest on Wednesday July 19th, 2006 or in the next few days which:

"will let the moslem world around the globe know that after the announcement they will not have to worry about israel's nuclear arms or nuclear capability ever again"

[nuconvert]

As this Aug 22 date is not new, I don't think it's "Mind Boggling"

[pierrem15]

Note the date: 2 x 11.

These guys are not playing with a full deck, and, as the Silkworm transfer to Hezbollah shows, will not hesitate to transfer top-notch weaponry to terrorist groups.

The media has created the impression that we are losing in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Bush admin seems content for the moment to play possum. I suspect we are drawing them out to make them take the first move, and to scare the crap out of the Eurons so we will be able to do what is necessary when the time comes.

[sageb1]

"It is my suspicion that their response will consist of a nuclear detonation, either as a test, or worse."

Agree.

[SampleMan]

Exactly my thought.

[redgolum]

That gives us just over a month to plan.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Oh be still my beating heart.

Jeez.

Iran will just give the world the finger again.

Duh.

[GSlob]

Well, then nuke him on August 22. He would get his dose of thunder and lightning in full measure.

[50sDad]

Withdrawal from the treaty could end all international oversight of Iran's nuclear program.

...which, of course, is only being done at Iran's known nuclear research sites. I swear, the staff of the UN is dumber than a box of hammers.

[JasonC]

Yep, that is the obvious interpretation.

[taildragger]

Hey the Hammer family especially M.C., may be offended by that :- ) ....

Seriously this wack job need enlightenment, unfortunately it may be in the form of a bright light from us or Israel.

[rjp2005]

There is a word for this kind of date-linking rhetoric that eludes me at the moment. If you tell a group of people you're going to announce something on well-known day of religious importance (say if Bush made a big announcement on Easter Sunday), you are trying to appear as a prophetic authority. You are saying "Allah is with this decision" because we are doing it on this religious day.

Think about what just happened. A month before they're going to announce their decision on this offer, they force Israel's hand to do something devastating to basically neutral Lebanon. More than anything they want to split Israel and the West - and leave Israel isolated.

What will Aug 22 be? "SANCTION ISRAEL if you want us to stop our nuclear program. Jerusalem is our where our Holy Al Asqsa mosque is, and it is in danger. This is religious persecution. We our outraged. blah blah. PUNISH ISRAEL for their invasion, and we'll agree to some of your demands."

They want to FORCE A CHOICE between supporting Israel or having a succesful nuclear negotiation. This will be VERY TEMPTING FOR EUROPE. France is the weaklink in the support Israel chain, and Iran will hammer them with back channel rhetoric to lead Europe in turning their back on Israel for the sake of nuke deterrance.

France - "Do you want to support Israel (and its war) or do you want us to disarm our nukes?"

Maybe I'm way off on this, but Iran is so freakin devious it's scary. Their ability to blackmail through terrorist acts seems unparralleled since they started doing it in 1979.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isra_and_Miraj

[sheik yerbouty]

The little weasel will try and make shi'ite happen. It would behoove us to flush him down history's toilet before he can imolement his plan.