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Analysis: Iran Won't Back Down From UN
The Guardian (UK) ^ | 8-30-2006 | Lee Keath

Posted on 08/30/2006 5:02:08 PM PDT by blam

Analysis: Iran Won't Back Down From U.N.

Wednesday August 30, 2006 11:16 PM

By LEE KEATH

Associated Press Writer

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Iran isn't blinking in the face of Thursday's U.N. deadline for it to halt uranium enrichment or else finally face the possibility of sanctions the United States has sought for years.

Tehran appears confident it can withstand any punishment - if it comes at all.

There seems to be no question of Iran's bending to the U.N. demand. It was enriching small amounts of uranium gas at its facility in Natanz as recently as Tuesday, U.N. and European officials in Vienna, Austria, said Wednesday. Iran's nuclear chief spoke over the weekend of expanding the enrichment program.

For many in the West, Iran's behavior is not just defiant but mystifying.

The U.N. deadline could be a crucial moment in the nuclear standoff. But on Tuesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hardly even mentioned it during a 2-hour news conference and instead changed the subject, challenging President Bush to a debate.

The West has struggled for years over carrots and sticks to persuade Iran to roll back a program the United States says is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

But Tehran, which insists its program is peaceful, has time after time played the game by its rules and kept its eyes constantly on a long-term prize: forcing the world to accept its nuclear ambitions on its terms.

Barring a last-minute surprise, the passing of Thursday's deadline will start up a potentially divisive debate among the big powers at the U.N. Security Council, where Russia and China have so far opposed any sanctions.

The United States will likely push for economic sanctions against Tehran. But it could avoid seeking harsh punishment to start with in hopes of getting Moscow and Beijing's

(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: analysis; back; down; duh; iran; irannukes; un; unres1696; wont
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1 posted on 08/30/2006 5:02:10 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam

2 posted on 08/30/2006 5:03:41 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner ("Si vis pacem para bellum")
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To: blam

SurPRISE!

Kofee in office, looking outside window: "dang it. how will i justify my salary this month? maybe i will take a trip to darfur, shoo some flies award from some shorties. There is always N.Korea. I heard Kim still has cable."


3 posted on 08/30/2006 5:07:17 PM PDT by Tulsa Ramjet ("If not now, when?")
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To: blam

"Analysis: Iran Won't Back Down From UN"

Response: Duuuhhhh!


:)


4 posted on 08/30/2006 5:10:46 PM PDT by GulfBreeze (No one can show me one shred of evidence that atheists even exist.)
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To: blam
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
5 posted on 08/30/2006 5:15:19 PM PDT by John Jorsett (scam never sleeps)
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To: blam
Tehran appears confident it can withstand any punishment

Really? Could have surprised me.

6 posted on 08/30/2006 5:20:49 PM PDT by Cobra64 (All we get are lame ideas from Republicans and lame criticism from dems about those lame ideas.)
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To: blam

In a section of the order labeled "Restrictions on Intelligence Activities," Ford outlawed political assassination: Section 5(g), entitled "Prohibition on Assassination," states: "No employee of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, political assassination."

Since 1976, every U.S. president has upheld Ford's prohibition on assassinations. In 1978 President Carter issued an executive order with the chief purpose of reshaping the intelligence structure. In Section 2-305 of that order, Carter reaffirmed the U.S. prohibition on assassination.

In 1981, President Reagan, through Executive Order 12333, reiterated the assassination prohibition. Reagan was the last president to address the topic of political assassination. Because no subsequent executive order or piece of legislation has repealed the prohibition, it remains in effect.


7 posted on 08/30/2006 5:22:44 PM PDT by mirkwood (Gun control isn't about guns. It's about control.)
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To: blam

Why on Earth should anybody back down from the UN?

Now if the US starts using a UNSC Resolution as a basis for war, it is time to pack up the Presidential silver and get out of Dodge. But the UN alone, without US muscle? Why would anybody be afraid of that?


8 posted on 08/30/2006 5:22:51 PM PDT by gridlock (The 'Pubbies will pick up at least TWO seats in the Senate and FOUR seats in the House in 2006)
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To: blam
Iran has the right to any nuclear thing they want. The nuts in Iran do not have the right to use it any way they want. Nukes don't kill people, people do. And, those people that would use nukes indescriminately need to be killed. Perfect logic.
9 posted on 08/30/2006 5:24:08 PM PDT by leadhead (It’s a duty and a responsibility to defeat them. But it's also a pleasure)
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To: GulfBreeze
The left has been in denial on this issue. Like Chamberlain thought he could deal with Hitler, many think they can deal with Iran.
NOT
I hope the Pentagon is working on a good blockade plan, followed up by a bombing plan.
10 posted on 08/30/2006 5:24:51 PM PDT by GeorgefromGeorgia
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To: blam

If Iran won't back down, interested parties in the West should make it crystal clear to Iran that they will force the regime to back down.


11 posted on 08/30/2006 5:29:54 PM PDT by popdonnelly
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To: blam
Why would they? Saddam didn't and he lasted for how many years after the UN told him to shape up? The UN is a joke just like the Democrat Party.
12 posted on 08/30/2006 5:44:11 PM PDT by b4its2late (There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count & those who can't.)
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To: blam
Iran isn't blinking in the face of Thursday's U.N. deadline

Iran had better be careful. They are playing with fire. At the rate they are going, they are only a few years away from a STERN rebuke by the U.N., possibly even in writing. Those Iranians -- nerves of steel, I tell ya.

13 posted on 08/30/2006 6:56:42 PM PDT by Colorado Doug
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To: blam

That's because the U.N. is less of a threat to Iran than the ants at my back doorstep.


14 posted on 08/30/2006 7:15:44 PM PDT by G Larry (Only strict constructionists on the Supreme Court!)
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To: G Larry

I know Iran has attacked us, but does anyone know if they have declared war on the US?


15 posted on 08/30/2006 7:32:15 PM PDT by ClaireSolt (.All generalizations are false, including this one.)
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To: blam
Iran isn't blinking in the face of Thursday's U.N. deadline

Blinking?  They are laughing in the face of the UN.

16 posted on 08/30/2006 7:40:50 PM PDT by softwarecreator (Facts are to liberals as holy water is to vampires.)
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To: blam
For many in the West, Iran's behavior is not just defiant but mystifying.

What?! Only to the Clueless! But since there are a fair percentage of Demonrats out there, I guess "many in the West" is technically correct.

17 posted on 08/30/2006 7:43:56 PM PDT by Nevermore
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To: blam
For many in the West, Iran's behavior is not just defiant but mystifying.

What is mystifying is that these appeasment monkeys are actually still surprised that Iran isn't going to suddenly stop working to build nukes.

How can so many people who think so highly of themselves be so completely and obviously without a clue?

How can all these acedemics have learned nothing from history?

18 posted on 08/30/2006 8:11:47 PM PDT by untrained skeptic
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To: ClaireSolt

Iran has NOT declared war on the U.S.


19 posted on 08/30/2006 8:23:20 PM PDT by G Larry (Only strict constructionists on the Supreme Court!)
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To: blam

The Alliance of Life vs. The Axis of Death

How mankind’s latest challenge is going to turn out we don't know yet, that it is going to be a long war is already clear. It reminds me of the Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times". Which of us thought it would be us living those interesting times. It was only recently that some bozo was declaring the end of history, yea right! And let’s get rid of the patent office as well.

What follows is an idea that I have been posting everywhere. I believe this is the campaign the Allies of Life should chose to fight next, in what many are now calling World War IV.

It is said that Captains should study Tactics, and Generals should study Logistics.

Most of the Terrorists are being paid to fight, if this pay, training, and supply was interdicted, many Terrorists would have to go find work. At the present time, Iran is the largest funding source in the world for Terrorists, contributing as much as $1 billion in money, arms, and training every year.

I believe the following would significantly improve our strategic position in the War on Terror.

We should destroy the Iranian oil industry. By Bombing all oil transportation facilities, pipelines, storage tanks, tanker trucks, rolling stock, refinery’s etc… we can cripple the funding of numerous terrorist organizations, Hezbollah, Hama’s, Sadr’s militia, Syria, as well as make it more difficult for Iran to buy missiles and such from North Korea, China, and Russia.
It would remove Iran’s threat that if we attack they will shut off the oil. Making the threat ridiculous and demonstrating that they are a single product state and without oil, and no other product that the world wants, they are nothing. Additionally, by declaring that we will destroy any reconstituting oil industry as long as the Mullacracy remains in charge, we can focus the Iranian’s blame for the situation, on the Theocracy and their support of Terrorism.
This will also bring home to all the other oil producing countries like Venezuela, Libya, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, etc… that they are very vulnerable to the same tactic, and they better start to cooperate, or else.
In addition, this will gain us time for the Iraqi’s to stand on their own, and free up troops we would need if we have to go into Iran, North Korea or somewhere else. (At the moment I don't think we could, or should put boots on the ground in Iran)
Sure the price of gas will rise, but this will also demonstrate to the world that the USA is not in Iraq for the Oil, and the onus can be shifted on to the Democrats for not allowing more domestic production.
“It’s not the control of the spice but the power to destroy the spice that is the real power. [From Dune]”

It has recently been said that the nuclear production facilities in Iran are so deep underground that we can’t reach them with conventional weapons. Perhaps so, but maybe we can starve those facilities of funds. Nuclear weapons are terribly expensive to build, and if Iran now needs all its money to repair vital life supporting infrastructure, it may have to slow or stop its attempt to build an atomic bomb.
Finally, Iran is a state sponsor of Terrorists, it must be punished, and it must be seen to be punished. Iran’s continued sponsorship of terror is a slap in America’s and President Bush’s face, and it must be answered.

The following was written in response to an objection I received about having to pay more for fuel if this strategy was followed.

I think you are overly concerned about the economic considerations, and not concerned enough about the need to prosecute the War on Terror to the utmost.
1. The US has a full Strategic Petroleum Reserve of 700 million Barrels, and we aren't the only nation with an SPR. What good is it if you never use it? The average price paid on that 700 million barrels was $27, so the nation would actually make a profit selling it now.
2. The only reason the US isn't energy independent now is because of political factors. We have 2 Trillion Barrels of oil trapped in oil shale (see www.oiltechinc.com). A technique now exists to turn any organic matter into fuel (see www.powerenergy.com). The US would and should be using much more nuclear power, (if it wasn't for the Ecofreaks we would be now). There are also many areas in the US that are now off limits to drilling. All it takes is the political will to develop all of these. Higher fuel prices will provide that political pressure.
3. Iran is using diplomatic processes, just like the Nazi's before them. So talking to them is a waste of our time, and just gives them time to develop nukes.
4. Iran subsidizes gas at $.10 a gallon, so by destroying the Iranian oil industry not only do we instantly remove 20% of their GDP. We put them all on foot, and in the dark.
5. The mullahs want to take their world back to the 7th century, we should assist them. By going medieval on Iran, we would serve notice on every Authoritarian regime whose only support is oil, that their days are numbered.
6. My recommended solution for American energy independence: a combination of tax breaks, loan guarantees (all energy development is capital intensive), and the government purchase of the patents held by Oil-Tech, and Power Energy, and making them open source.

The following further expands on the idea.

Iran exports 2.5 million barrels of oil a day, Iranian as well as the rest of the Persian Gulf oil producers, produce what is called heavy sour crude which typically sells for ~20% less than the benchmark sweet light crude quoted on the spot markets. So, with that understanding we can roughly calculate the gross income Iran’s economy generates from oil exports. At a price of $75 Barrel Iran will get 80% of that price for its low grade crude, or $60. $60 x $2.5 million barrels x 365 days = $54.75 billion. Now from the CIA world fact book we can see that Iran has a GNP of $564 billion. So by destroying Iran’s oil industry their GDP is cut by 10% just from the lost exports. But, the damage is much deeper than that, Iran subsidizes gasoline at $.10 a gallon and Iran consumes 1.425 million barrels of oil a day. With the oil industry destroyed the cars, trucks, trains, and power plants no longer run. That means no machinery, no electricity, and no modern economy. I can’t estimate what Iran’s GDP would decline to, but even the poorest nation on earth still has running cars and electricity. I think much of the population would either revolt or start walking for the boarders. They couldn’t import oil because we would destroy tankers, pipelines, and rolling stock. They couldn’t attack us in Iraq either, because with out gas they can’t logistically supply an attacking army. We on the other hand could perform a ground attack anywhere and they would be incapable of maneuvering in response. Not that I think we should do a ground attack, I don’t, but we would be well positioned if we needed to (airborne assaults on nuclear facilities).

"Will the U.S. be willing to take unilateral action of this magnitude? At this stage, I don’t believe that the EU will be supporting it. Nor will China or Russia."

You are right of course; the US will have to do this alone. We are the only ones with the Air Forces necessary to accomplish it. All it will take is the President ordering it done, the bombing will take less than 30 days and cost far less than the $50 billion it is going to cost the Iranians in direct loss of export dollars.

"The U.S. would need to ensure that there are contingency plans, prior to any action, in terms of the impact that such action would have on the price of oil and public opinion in the U.S., etc. Also, how long would it take to devise and implement such contingency plans?"

The US has a strategic petroleum reserve that is full (700 million barrels) and while we are using that we can do a crash program of developing oil shale, alcohol, and domestic drilling off shore and in Alaska where politics has prevented development before. As far as public opinion goes, much of Bush's loss of political support is due to his failure to prosecute the War on Terror to the utmost. Americans believe that if you have to go to war you must fight with everything you've got and get it over as soon as possible. Bush has not been doing this, he knows Iran, and Syria are both supporting terrorists and has done nothing. So if Bush just went to war with Iran and Syria his support will most likely rebound back up above 50%.

"I think the U.S. is and will be very capable of destroying major oil fields, pipelines, tankers, etc. as required. But I also think the U.S. will need to have a next step(s) after air strikes. These next steps include, for example, ensuring damage control within Iran, law and order issues within Iran, minimizing potential terrorist attacks that these air strikes will potentially lead to, and ensuring that there will be an interim government to take over from the mullahs immediately after they are toppled and so on… IMO, these must be planned out in detail before any military action. Bearing in mind that what happens in Iran will most definitely have a significant impact on the region and the world."

I believe that the mullacracy will take awhile to collapse. So at the same time America starts the war it announces that a New Iranian Army will be trained, Paid, and equipped in Iraq to take over Iran as soon as it is ready and Iranians are encouraged to apply. If we did this US Army forces may never be needed in Iran, or if they are just for a few Thunder Runs to topple the Mullahs, with the New Iranian Army mopping up and taking over. Done this way we could write the Iranian constitution and have the new army swear to it before they are allowed to join, this would make starting a new government much quicker.

"Lastly, will the current U.S. Administration be willing to embark on such major initiative as per your proposal before November or even whilst the current administration is in office?"

This I don't know, but I think it is at least possible. Bush has stepped so far away from the Bush Doctrine, by that I mean he still talks the talk, but no longer walks the walk. Some have said that he is just giving the EU and Iran enough rope to hang themselves, if so Iran's announcement that economic incentives wouldn't stop them from enriching Uranium may have been the sound of the trap door dropping. We will see in the days ahead.


20 posted on 08/30/2006 8:26:30 PM PDT by Eagle74 (From time to time the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots)
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