Iran moves step closer to U.N. sanctions

Iran moved a step closer to U.N. sanctions Thursday, with a meeting of the five Security Council permanent members plus Germany making a "lot of progress" on ways of punishing Tehran for its nuclear defiance, a senior State Department official said.

Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said further discussions were needed on how harshly to penalize Tehran for its refusal to freeze uranium enrichment, as demanded by the Security Council.

But "we've made a lot of progress ... to push this along toward a sanctions resolution," Burns said, speaking at the end of the six-nation talks.

The meeting came amid broad moves by key European nations to enlist world support in pressuring Iran to give up uranium enrichment.

In a confidential document obtained by The Associated Press and sent to dozens of capitals last week, Britain, France and Germany warned that Tehran's stalling tactics were an attempt "to split the international community."

But it was marred by signs that France, a key U.S. ally in pushing for firm U.N. action against Iran, might be wavering.

Iran’s Ahmadinejad “Playing to his hard line constituents”
By John E. Carey
September 7, 2006

On Wednesday, September 6, 2006, Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian appeared on the Fox News Channel to discuss the situation in the Middle East, especially the situation in Iran.

Ambassador Djerejian said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran was “playing to his hard line constituents…with extreme bouts of rhetoric [designed to] raise Iran’s prestige and standing” as the leader of the far wing of the Islamic extremists.

“The problems Iran poses to regional stability and peace are fundamental,” said Ambassador Djerejian.

He summed up the situation in the region this way: “The U.S. is bogged down in Iraq, Hezbollah is perceived in the Arab world as having won a victory over Israel, and all this is greatly to Iran’s favor.”

Ambassador Djerejian wondered aloud if “President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s extreme bouts of rhetoric would be translated from actions into words.”

Among the other knowledgeable “talking heads" on Wednesday opining about Iran: David Ignatius.

Ignatius said on National Public Radio, “Iran thinks this is their time.”

Ignatius explained that since the Islamic revolution in 1979, Iran has made tremendous strides in efforts to modernize itself. A story today that Iran is producing its own indiginous jet fighter aircraft "more powerful than the f-18" is an example of this modernization. Now Iran believes it is ready to enter the club of important, meaningful leadership nations in the world.

“If we can, we should tell them, O.K., we are bringing you into the framework of international peace and security with assurances; but that brings a certain responsibility,” Ignatius said.

The isolation of Iran from the community of nations at first appears to be the right and practical thing to do.

But Iran WANTS to be isolated. That way, they can keep doing things in secret, and presumedly not under surveillance of the West. Then it may be necessary to be almost rudely intrusive on their daily activities, like demanding they permit daily overflights by observation aircraft, unimpeded by in-air challenges or threat of anti-aircraft artillery or surface-to-air missiles. All financial transactions in and out of their country, for whatever purpose, shall be monitored. Telephone and communications traffic shall be similarly monitored, using data mining techniques. The Iranians would be advised up front that these activities would be monitored, and information extracted from signal transmissions would be publicized when it looks as if their intentions are less than honorable. In short, keep a very bright light shined upon them at all times.

Iran should be made to understand they have been excessively unco-operative in maintaining peaceful relations with the rest of the world. Sanctions alone won't work. We are not dealing with a rebellious teenager here, this is a sick psychotic society that does not even understand the gravity of the situation in which they find themselves.

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