Iran perfects foot-dragging art

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 8/22/06 | HERB KEINON

[Jack_1]

Indeed, Iran's offer of a "new formula" and willingness to enter "serious negotiations" to resolve the dispute fits well into the pattern of Iranian foot-dragging the world has become so accustomed to on this issue over the years.

This tactic can be summed up like this: tease the West by professing a willingness to "engage," leave them with a glimmer of hope that this engagement is actually making some progress, and in the meantime keep plodding ahead with the research and development needed to build the Jihad Bomb.

This very temptation has worked wonders for the Iranians. Holding out the possibility of negotiations effectively neutralizes the Europeans, who love the idea of dialogue and engagement and hope that it will lead to solving the problem peacefully and reasonably, and it also makes it difficult for Russia and China to go along with sanctions in the United Nations Security Council, because they will argue that the diplomatic channel was not exhausted.

[Jack_1]

With the end of the world passing by, the old game of delay and more delay is back on.

[ichabod1]

Cheat and retreat.

[SpinnerWebb]

Iran perfects foot-dragging art

I dunno... you should see my two kids come bedtime...

[EagleUSA]

More of the same old crap. And the world is letting them slide, while they get closer to the bomb, as well as more re-arming of terrorists doing their filthy dirty-work for them.

[lafroste]

Off topic, but I just a technical assistance request from someone in Syria. Any suggestions on how to handle it? I assume that normal business relations are not an option.

[jveritas]

Do not deal with this person and ask him not to send you any e-mails or inquiries. We are not allowed to deal at all with any of the following sanctioned countries:

Iran, Syria, North Korea, and Cuba.

You will put yourself and your company in a lot of troubles if you deal at all even in the simplest business request (including technical stuff) with the above countries.

[Blogger]

What kind of request? I imagine that there is a no exporting Tech info rule for Syria, since it is on the terrorism list.

[Blogger]

Thanks, jveritas. Should he report the request to someone?

[lafroste]

He was requesting details on how we calculate theoretical efficiencies for mixing ozone and water. Generally, this type of question would be from someone in a water treatment plant. I was unaware that the US forbids trade with Syria (he's apparently from the city of Aleppo). Additional comments are welcome.

[jveritas]

If the person is calling from Syria the person in the US should ask him not call or e-mail at all, nothing at all. In fact the person in the US should document "the denial of request" in an e-mail and make it clear that the US company cannot deal with him because Syria is a sanctioned country. It is highly recommended that the "Export Compliance Personnel" should be also notified and copied.

[jveritas]

I hope that you did not give him any technical information. Please send him an e-mail and tell him not to contact you again or any person in your company because you cannot deal with Syria on any business matter including technical issues.

[RightWhale]

N Kor is also accomplished at this. Going on 60 years and no settlement of the problem, nor even a clear idea what they are trying to accomplish.

[lafroste]

This request came to me from a "request additional information" form on my website. The website has no access restrictions on it. I don't even know how to impose such restrictions. We don't have an "Export Compliance Personnel" since this issue has never come up before.

[Dark Skies]

Right. I don't blame Iran one d@mn bit. If the world, including the U.S., U.K. et al put up with this crap, I am embarrassed for them.

Weakness deserves no respect.

[jveritas]

OK. In this case just send him an e-mail denying the request and list the official reason why, i.e. Syria is a sanctioned country by the US and you as a US person and US company cannot deal with any request from Syria. Make sure that you keep a print of this official e-mail.

[lafroste]

That I can do. Its just typical that I get a request for assistance from one of the four countries on the planet I can't respond to.

[Publius6961]

Well, seriously, where's the problem?
Unless we allow Iran to build 2000 nukes, the problem is manageable. What will they do with 5 or 10 that will spare them the most horrible retribution?

Sure, 20 can be as problematic; My point is that they are toast when evidence of hundreds is obtained...

Even Europe is not suicidal!

[demkicker]

I still can't believe this administration hasn't tried to talk to Iran "behind the scenes". Challenging them publically that they WILL NOT be allowed to have nuclear weapons seems to have only stiffened their resolve.

During the cold war when Russia had thousands of nukes aimed at the U.S., our countries got together quietly and hammered out some tough negotiations that kept a truce.

If we didn't need oil from the Middle East it would be different, but we do. Talking tough to them behind the scenes would do a helluva lot more good than talking tough to them and about them on the world stage. Clearly, it isn't working. Just my opinion...

[Joe Bfstplk]

Make them an offer they can't refuse.