U.S. backs Iran civilian nuke program for first time

Reuters ^ | Fri Aug 5,

[F14 Pilot]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Friday for the first time accepted that Iran can develop civilian nuclear programs, backing an EU proposal that would allow Tehran to pursue atomic power in exchange for giving up fuel work.

In a compromise that completed a gradual shift in U.S. policy, Washington acquiesced because it believes the EU offer has enough safeguards to prevent Iran diverting its civilian work into making nuclear bombs.

"We support the (Europeans') effort and the proposal they have put forward to find a diplomatic solution to this problem and to seek an end to Iran's nuclear weapons program," State Department spokesman Tom Casey told reporters.

The U.S. acquiescence over Iran is in contrast with its stance in talks with North Korea, which it insists cannot have any nuclear development for fear Pyongyang would build atomic bombs under the guise of a civilian power program.

The shift also comes despite long-held U.S. worries that allowing a civilian program could help Iran develop its nuclear technology and know-how so that, if it ever breaks any EU agreement, it would be closer to acquiring a bomb.

A U.S. official said the EU offer helped allayed American fears.

"There's a certainty and an ability to ensure that none of the nuclear fuel that would be involved is diverted to an illicit nuclear weapons program," said the official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to discuss details of the proposal.

MOSCOW MODEL

The EU -- represented by Britain, France and Germany -- has held talks for two years with Iran to find a compromise between arch foes Iran and the United States.

Washington accuses Iran of trying to covertly build a nuclear bomb. Tehran says its programs are peaceful and that it has the right to convert and enrich uranium, which can be used for power generation or to build bombs.

The U.S. opposition to nuclear power plants has eroded this year.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has increasingly pointed to a power plant deal between Russia and Iran as an example of how to limit the risk from a civilian program because Moscow controls the fuel.

But while the United States had accepted such an arrangement under the existing deal, until Friday it had not explicitly agreed to the principle that Iran could have a civilian program.

The EU offered to declare its "willingness to support Iran to develop a safe, economically viable and proliferation-proof civil nuclear power."

The bloc offered to guarantee supplies of fuel for light-water nuclear power reactors, but insisted Iran returned to the supplier all spent fuel, which can also be used in atomic weaponry.

"We encourage Iran to consider positively the EU3's offer," Casey said.

[F14 Pilot]

I am afraid you are right!

[MJY1288]

I meant to say the Mullahs not Kim Jong Ill :-)

But monortoring "Light Water Plants" is not that dificult.

The Problem here is the "Centerfuges". Iran seems to be following the Pakistan Model

[Southack]

"Like Sadam's multiple violations forced Europe to support the Iraq war."

Well, yes. Britain, Poland, Italy, and Spain *did* indeed back our Iraq invasion with their own military force.

Germany and France are not all of Europe, contrary to popular myth.

[diverteach]

Okay then, how did N. Korea end up with weapons then when all they said they wanted nuclear energy? I think they have a soin machine that defines things like this; When they say they want nuclear power, we understand that to mean "nuclear energy". What they mean when they say it is that they want the power that comes from possessing nuclear weapons. When followed by for peaceful purposes, that to them really means having nukes as a deterant to keep the peace.

[rmmcdaniell]

Well, yes. Britain, Poland, Italy, and Spain *did* indeed back our Iraq invasion with their own military force.

I don't think there is any more will to support another military action absent another terrorist strike. Giving the Iranians ANYTHING is a mistake.

[Southack]

The EU *has* to back up its own inherent threats in its nuclear proposal to Iran. That's a given. They'd write themselves off the world's political stage if they caved on that.

What GWB has done is force the issue. Now Iran has to accept the EU proposal or else face a united EU-US front (meaning, direct action).

This puts us closer to the start of our blockade (or more severe actions). This is a good thing.

[Fred Nerks]

"Vowing to press ahead with plans to resume sensitive nuclear activities, Iran appeared Friday to dismiss out of hand a proposal by European negotiators aimed at ending the standoff over Tehran's nuclear program.

The proposal - a sweeping offer of economic and political incentives in return for a suspension of all activities that could develop nuclear weapons - was handed to the new Iranian leadership Friday by ambassadors from France, Germany and Britain..."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/08/05/news/iran.php

'Iran "apppeared" Friday to dismiss...'

[rmmcdaniell]

The EU *has* to back up its own inherent threats in its nuclear proposal to Iran. That's a given. They'd write themselves off the world's political stage if they caved on that.

What GWB has done is force the issue. Now Iran has to accept the EU proposal or else face a united EU-US front (meaning, direct action).

Yeah, perhaps we should give nukes to the palestinians too. Then when they abuse them, Europe will get of Isrealis back. Thats brilliant dubya "strategery."

[rmmcdaniell]

Yeah, perhaps we should give nukes to the palestinians too. Then when they abuse them, Europe will get of off the Isrealis' backs. Thats brilliant dubya "strategery."

[Southack]

If your goal in life is just to post anti-Bush nonsense, then fine...but looking at the world through a hate-Bush spyglass won't let you understand the big picture.

[rmmcdaniell]

If your goal in life is just to post anti-Bush nonsense, then fine...but looking at the world through a hate-Bush spyglass won't let you understand the big picture.

My goal is the advancement and protection of America. If you praise and worship Republicans like you would a sports team, then you are little better than the democrats.

Bush has been a disaster with regards to domestic security especially with regards to the borders and his obsequious political correctness. I don't trust the man, and I believe his policies will eventually lead to disaster. I will scrutinize and criticize were deserved.

[Fred Nerks]

Sorry, the refusal seems to be quite clearly stated in your previous post:


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1457863/posts

[Paul_Denton]

WHAT THE F***!?

[Advil]

IMHO. My guess is that we're executing a bluff. We have to get the world to officially see them reject an incredibly reasonable and one sided deal so that when the war eventually ends up in Iran we have enough moral high ground to justify. We've got to prove to the international court of popular opinion that they are as insane as N. Korea. They've been playing too close to the chest, we need to get them to open up and show everyone in a political arena that they are impossible to appease or negotiate with.

If justification of war is a balanced scale, it's about to lean heavily in our favor.

[Mr. Mojo]

Yep. ....the EU made the offer, the U.S. backed the offer, and Iran refused the offer.

They'll issue their official rejection on Sunday. ...so they say.

[TomasUSMC]

I thought President Bush said he would not wait for approval from other countries to defend America. Screw Europe. We need to give Tehran what they want. They want to have Nukes and we should oblige, about 10 megatons worth.

You see, what our President Bush fails to understand is that by him doing nothing to Iran, he emboldens them every day to continue to be a sanctuary for the terrorists and a supplier of ever deadlier weaponry that kill our troops. I don't know why Bush doesn't realize this. Its patently obvious and Iran brags about it every stinking day.

This latest Bush appeasement means that Soon Iran will buy a nuke and give it to the terrorist. The question is where will it go off. Tagline:

[TomasUSMC]

The cheerleaders can't see the game because the Pom Poms block their view.

WHY DOES President Bush continue to allow Iran to kill our troops in greater numbers:

By ERIC SCHMITT
Published: August 6, 2005
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 - Many of the new, more sophisticated roadside bombs used to attack American and government forces in Iraq have been designed in Iran and shipped in from there, United States military and intelligence officials said Friday, raising the prospect of increased foreign help for Iraqi insurgents.

Unlike the improvised explosive devices devised from Iraq's vast stockpiles of missiles, artillery shells and other arms, the new weapons are specially designed to destroy armored vehicles, military bomb experts say. The bombs feature shaped charges, which penetrate armor by focusing explosive power in a single direction and by firing a metal projectile embedded in the device into the target at high speed. The design is crude but effective if the vehicle's armor plating is struck at the correct angle, the experts said.

Since they first began appearing about two months ago, some of these devices have been seized, including one large shipment that was captured last week in northeast Iraq coming from Iran. But one senior military officer said "tens" of the devices had been smuggled in and used against allied forces, killing or wounding several Americans throughout Iraq in the past several weeks.

Why? Mr. Bush do you do nothing and continue to allow this to go on. This is worse than Vietnam. At least in Nam LBJ/Nixon bombed the enemy sanctuaries sometimes. You Mr. Bush do absolutely nothing!

[Slings and Arrows]

You and me both.

[BookaT]

Just in case you guys read this.

Calm down. This is something that the Iranians will never go for and everyone knows it. It would be set up so they would not be able to do anything except produce power and nothing else. Everything would be supplied to them and taken back from them when it was "spent."

If they truly only needed this for power it would be the best deal ever. Free Energy! However, as we all know(suspect) they are not continuing their Nuke porgram for power, they are continuing it for Nuke bombs.

So of course they will dismiss this. This would not allow them to make Nukes. When they dismiss this it will allow the EU to take them to the Security Council(whoopty Doo) and hopefully put sanctions on them.

You negative ninnies need to read this next part carefully!

Here is what sanctions mean. Iran gets 70% of its goods from Europe. They sell most of their oil to europe. When they can not sell any oil(=no money) and they can not buy any goods. THE COUNTRY WILL COLLAPSE IN A MATTER OF 3 WEEKS!

Now anyone still want to complain about how stupid this move was? before you do lets do the math:

3 weeks end of Iranian government control

vs.

2 years or less Iran has nukes and we have wasted our time pandering to them..now what?

I think it was a master stroke and actually can't believe it cam from Europe

[JasonC]

"Lie to us again, and we will give you this giant check. Tell us the truth, and we shall say mean things about you in the newspapers". The policy of the civilized west in the face of nuclear blackmail.