Posted on 07/03/2009 4:21:18 AM PDT by don-o
Iran, stung by European Union criticism of its handling of post-election unrest, yesterday accused the 27-nation bloc of meddling and demanded an apology before any more talks on Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.
Iran's top military commander laid down the condition amid continued recriminations over the June 12 presidential election that returned hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power, beating rivals who insist the vote was rigged in his favour.
"Because of the interference of this (EU) group in the post-election riots... they have lost their qualification to hold nuclear talks with Iran," Major-General Hassan Firouzabadi was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency.
Three EU powers, Britain, France and Germany, have led negotiations with Iran over nuclear work which the West suspects is aimed at bomb-making. "Before apologising for their huge mistake... they have no right to talk about nuclear negotiations," Major-General Firouzabadi said.
Meanwhile Sweden vowed to protect staff at EU embassies in Iran yesterday, the first day of its EU presidency, but Tehran accused it of interfering in its affairs.
Deteriorating relations with Iran could pose a big challenge for Sweden in its six-month presidency, during which it wants to guide Europe out of its worst economic crisis in decades and agree an EU position for climate change talks.
One EU diplomat said countries in the 27-nation bloc were discussing a proposal to withdraw their envoys from Iran in protest at its detention of three British embassy employees. Germany and Italy were among those sceptical of such a move, he said.
"We have to show solidarity and present a united front in the EU, and we have to discuss what measures might be involved," Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt told a news conference marking the handover of the EU presidency.
Mr Reinfeldt said the bloc was watching events in Iran but denied a media report that EU states had already agreed to withdraw their ambassadors from Iran in a joint protest.
He said the EU wanted to show support for calls for reform but must not "polarise Iran from the rest of the world so that we are made an excuse for the use of violence and oppression inside Iran. That is the balance that needs to be struck."
The 27-nation bloc has led international criticism of the June 12 presidential election that returned hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to power and prompted street protests and a crackdown in which about 20 people were reported killed.
But world leaders already have sanctions in place against Iran and their leverage is limited, particularly as they want to keep their powder dry for talks on Iran's nuclear programme and the US has opened the door to dialogue with Iran.
The EU has said it will not let foreign embassy staff be harassed in Iran, and Mr Reinfeldt and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt made clear the Union was in contact with Tehran on the issue.
"We have to take action both in our countries to protect the Iranian diplomatic missions and they have to ensure that staff at the European embassies are not subject to harassment by the authorities. So that's an ongoing dialogue where we are showing both European strength and solidarity," Mr Bildt said.
Is there anyone left on the planet clueless enough to think hat Iran is going to give up its nuke (weapons) program? Oh, I know: Obortion is still naive, as are many members of Congress, and think Iran will fall under the spell of The One.
Israel, the world is depending on you to do the right thing and take those nuke sites out. Please. You are the only country on the planet with the stones to do it.
Who would have believed that the EU would have more balls on this than the current US administration?
I never knew about this English-language news site. I’m interested to see what kind of news perspective it has. Thanks for that.
You’re quite welcome. I’ve been doing Google searches on “iran protest” and came across that fairly recent article. It’s sourced to Reuters, but maybe there is more there if ones digs a bit.
Just another excuse to delay any action while they pursue nuclear weapons at flank speed... At no point is/was talk going to change Iran’s course. Just a diplo-rope-a-dope while they quietly achieve their goals.
Like the NYT and WP, they seem to rely on other writing services like Reuters (and, in this case AFP instead of AP), but it looks like the opinion articles are authored in house and they might provide some interesting points of view over time.
George Bush's legacy and fight endures in the Mid East, despite, and in spite of Obama, and THAT is Obama's real dilema.
It was George Bush's policy of direct engagement and support of liberty that has led to the people of Iran seeing the measure of freedom now established on both sides of them in Iraq and Afghjanistan...and desiring it for themselves.
Obama cannot possibly go too far in recognizing that, or he absolutely repudiates himself and his entire foreign policy.
...but Obama doesn't want to "meddle".
The fight in Iran goes on.
6/24/2009 - Not all fights on June 24th were losses - Iranian people take back streets from Basif
Others were not.
Eyewitness Account to Slaughter in Iran 6/24/2009
While brave Iranians are slaughtered in the street by their own government as they seek liberty, Obama disinvited Iranian officials to American 4th of July celebration.
Meanwhile, they are axing students to death.
Young Woman (Neda) shot to death in Terhran. 6/20/2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fVyGo7rZUI
Crowd Hunting Basij, Man shot. 6/20/2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYaL4mA-bSY
POEM FOR THE ROOFTOPS OF IRAN - INCREDIBLY MOVING
You can follow me on twitter if you want.http://www.twitter.com/Jeff_Head
"There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom.
"All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: The United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.
"Democratic reformers facing repression, prison or exile can know: America sees you for who you are -- the future leaders of your free country.
"The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it."
George W. Bush Jan 2005
Pakistan already has a proven nuclear weapon capability, which it has shared with various rogue regimes. Iran’s is still in the development stage. Both the past administration and the current administration send billions to prop up Pakistan, whose security apparatus was instrumental in creating the Taliban, and only now shows limited signs of turning against its client. A case of straining out gnats and swallowing camels? Sure looks like it.
Add this site to your list too. They have a far more penetrating analysis of the situation than you are likely to find elsewhere:
http://www.stratfor.com/weekly/20090629_real_struggle_iran_and_implications_u_s_dialogue
I’ve no doubt the Iranian regime is run by dangerous dudes, but shallow analysis of the situation is a bad way to deal with the risks. Emotional sympathy for the Iranian “middle class” is unavoidable, but don’t confuse sympathy with their cause for conviction that their voice is a “majority voice”. It simply isn’t.
Sweden is assuming the rotating presidency of the EU. Perhaps the apology is being prepared at this moment.
They will hold them as long and until we have a new "Reagan" in the White House
Starting around the last AP dustup regarding fees for their content, I decided to search for other news sites in the hopes of finding either objectivity or a less leftist slant to all the news.
What I've discovered is that there are a lot of International English news sites which aren't dependent on AP or Reuters. These sites, even when they're leftist, tend to be more objective about zero and our democrats than our own, U.S. news sites. That's why I was interested in this Malta link.
Thanks again, though, for the helpful tip regarding Stratfor.
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