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Russia appears to remain united with U.S. on Iran nuclear issue
Kentucky.com ^ | Posted on Tue, Mar. 07, 2006 | Jonathan S. Landay

Posted on 03/07/2006 5:03:48 PM PST by x5452

Posted on Tue, Mar. 07, 2006 Russia appears to remain united with U.S. on Iran nuclear issue By Jonathan S. Landay

WASHINGTON - Russia appeared Tuesday to close ranks with the United States and Europe over Iran's nuclear program, after briefly promoting a plan that would have allowed Iran to conduct small-scale uranium enrichment research, which the Bush administration strongly opposes.

The move indicated that Russia would join the United States and the European Union in sending the impasse over Iran's uranium enrichment program to the U.N. Security Council, which can impose economic and political sanctions.

Russia had faced stiff U.S. and European opposition to its plan to allow Iran to conduct small-scale uranium enrichment work in return for postponing an industrial-size effort for up to nine years. Iran has threatened to start such a large effort if the issue goes to the Security Council.

"There is no compromise new Russian proposal," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted during a news conference with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice before a White House meeting with President Bush.

Enrichment produces low-enriched uranium for power plants and highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons.

The 35-nation board of the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency voted Feb. 4 to send the issue to the Security Council. But it agreed to allow a month for a diplomatic resolution at the suggestion of Russia and China, which have hefty financial interests in oil-rich Iran.

The board was expected to wrap up a meeting at IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday without reconsidering its decision, clearing the way for Security Council deliberations.

U.S. and European officials are demanding that Tehran abandon all enrichment activities because of suspicions that Iran is secretly developing a nuclear arsenal, a charge Iranian officials deny.

Lavrov said consultations that Russia has held recently with Iranian, European, U.S., Chinese and U.N. officials concerned only a Russian plan to form a joint venture with Iran to produce low-enriched uranium fuel in Russia for shipment to power plants in Iran.

But a U.S. official and a diplomat close to the IAEA, both of whom requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said Russia had been informally promoting the compromise as a possible way to defuse the crisis.

"We haven't seen the presentation in writing," said the diplomat.

The U.S. official said Lavrov presented the idea to Rice at a dinner on Monday, but "disclaimed" that it was a Russian proposal.

Rice, he said, "made crystal clear" that the United States opposed such a plan, a stance she reiterated at the news conference.

"Enrichment ... on Iranian soil is not acceptable because of the proliferation risks," she said.

EU diplomats said France, Britain and Germany - which were spearheading negotiations with Iran - also opposed any plan that would allow Iran to conduct any enrichment work.

Iran insists it has the right to enrichment for peaceful purposes under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the basis of the global system to prevent the spread of nuclear arms.

The IAEA board of governors found that Iran had breached its treaty obligations by concealing its enrichment program for 18 years and failing to account for many activities, including purchases of weapons-related know-how from a Pakistani-led smuggling ring.

Vice President Dick Cheney warned Tuesday that the international community would "not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon" and "is prepared to impose meaningful consequences" on Tehran if it refuses to abandon its program.

"The United States is keeping all options on the table," Cheney told AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying group, in Washington.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: allies; allyrussia; evilempire; iran; irannukes; lavrov; putin; rice; russia
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1 posted on 03/07/2006 5:03:50 PM PST by x5452
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To: x5452
Vice President Dick Cheney warned Tuesday that the international community would "not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon" and "is prepared to impose meaningful consequences" on Tehran if it refuses to abandon its program.

I know it isn't likely, but just ONCE I would love to hear either the President or Vice President get in front of the microphones, a steely look in their eye, stare right into the camera and say something like "That little fart of an Iranian president better watch his damn step, and consider consulting with the Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce if he's going to keep running his mouth, and that goes for the little freaky-haired guy running North Korea too."

And then just let the global lamestream media and their far left followers go berserk.

I would pay a cover charge for a peek at that show.
2 posted on 03/07/2006 5:22:11 PM PST by mkjessup (The Shah doesn't look so bad now, eh? But nooo, Jimmah said the Ayatollah was a 'godly' man.)
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To: x5452

Russia in consences with the US.... Give me a break!


3 posted on 03/07/2006 6:15:08 PM PST by Thunder90
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To: x5452

Russia has a knack for "appearing" in many attitudes and persuasions.

Maybe it's that they are inveterate LIARS...and always have been.

The only people who trust Russians are dead ones.


4 posted on 03/07/2006 6:18:30 PM PST by CBart95
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To: CBart95

Secretary Rice says they are an ally in the war on terror.

I beleive her.


5 posted on 03/07/2006 6:27:00 PM PST by x5452
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To: x5452

Any country that shuts off the heat to Europe in the middle of record freezing temps can not be trusted.

Oh - did somebody say "market prices"?

What kind of market is it when they buy for $50, well to their own for $15, and to the west for $240?

Sounds like communism to me!


6 posted on 03/07/2006 6:28:38 PM PST by spanalot
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To: x5452

We all believe Sec, Rice.

She factually described our diplomatic relationship.

But everyone fully knows that our "allies" have consistently and repeatedly failed us. Russia,France,Germany and others,including China are major supporters of the nation states who are sponsoring the GWOT.

You mat have been "born at night"...let's hope it was'nt last night.


7 posted on 03/07/2006 6:34:13 PM PST by CBart95
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To: x5452

You are some kind of Russian agent.

I just went back and scrolled thru your recent commentary. You have "reams of comments" and replies(all related to things Russian) that have been posted just today! It's prodigious!

Then, I happened on your comment: "I have family in Russia from Irkutsk to Crimea. I am extremely informed about the Russian Federation."

Nice to know that Russia feels Freep is an important influence center.

All freepers have to do is double click on your screen name and proceed to "In Forum". Your comments,which are public, are there in chrono sequence.


8 posted on 03/07/2006 6:56:56 PM PST by CBart95
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To: x5452

Looks like Tom Daschle is gonna be saddened. Again.


9 posted on 03/07/2006 7:13:13 PM PST by Recovering_Democrat ((I am SO glad to no longer be associated with the party of Dependence on Government!))
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To: spanalot; GarySpFc; Romanov

Hah, sounds like a hollywood movie of the week. Why not follow it up with how cold winters are really global warming.


10 posted on 03/07/2006 7:30:22 PM PST by x5452
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To: CBart95

What a laugh, why not check out the sites that the anti-Russia folks post from on this forum.

Like spanlot, since he's posted on this thread.

He posts from Maidanua.

A site that defends the leader of Ukraine's Soros NGO, and bashes bush as a fascist.

Meanwhile I post Secretary of State Rice's informed opinion on Russia.

Guess that makes me an agent of Russia.


11 posted on 03/07/2006 7:33:50 PM PST by x5452
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To: CBart95

When our German and French allies were saying they'd prefer to work with Kerry Putin was saying how he'd vastly prefer to work with Bush.

When our French and German allies insisted Sadam was a pacifist not interest in Nukes, Putin gave evidence that Sadam was trying to buy them.

The Russian record is scads beyond the French or German record.

Comparing any them to China is insulting.

The Chinese are enemy number one, far worse than islam, being as we dont actually give up patents to pirates in order to deal with islamists.


12 posted on 03/07/2006 8:12:28 PM PST by x5452
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To: spanalot
Any country that shuts off the heat to Europe in the middle of record freezing temps can not be trusted.

Of course you don't care if somebody steals billions of dollars of Russian gas. It's not your's.

Oh - did somebody say "market prices"?
What kind of market is it when they buy for $50, well to their own for $15, and to the west for $240?

The Ukraine first broke the contract, when they stole Russian gas in transit, which they admitted to doing. Additionally, they owe Russia billions in unpaid bills for gas.

The first offer the Russians gave the Ukraine was $160, but they also offered to up the transit fees to $1.60 to more than off set the increase for gas. There was one stipulation, and that was the Ukraine had to pay the full price for any stolen gas. When the Ukraine refused the offer the Russians asked to take the case to the Swedish Court of Arbitration as provided for in the contract. The Ukraine refused. Russia then upped the price to $230.

Sounds like communism to me!

It sounds like Ukrainian thugs to me.
13 posted on 03/07/2006 8:48:49 PM PST by GarySpFc (de oppresso liber)
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To: x5452

Your various replies are most interesting and courteous in spite of my blundering comments. I appreciate your courtesy.

Your several points and comments appear well made and I thank you for them.

I look forward to seeing you here on a regular basis.


14 posted on 03/07/2006 9:58:06 PM PST by CBart95
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To: spanalot

What kind of market is it when they buy for $50, well to their own for $15, and to the west for $240? ==

Russians own thier gas so pay only for delivery cost. West pays gas price and bigger delivery cost.

When West will own gas thenprobably price definition will be same.


15 posted on 03/08/2006 5:20:45 AM PST by RusIvan ("THINK!" the motto of IBM)
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To: spanalot

Any country that shuts off the heat to Europe in the middle of record freezing temps can not be trusted. ==

Russia shutted up gas only to those who don't pay. Man it is market not charity. Are you looking for charity? Then go elsewhere.


16 posted on 03/08/2006 5:22:57 AM PST by RusIvan ("THINK!" the motto of IBM)
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To: GarySpFc; RusIvan
Any country that shuts off the heat to Europe in the middle of record freezing temps can not be trusted.

I'm surprised you let him slide on this. Firstly gas was not cutoff to Europe Ukraines supply was taken out of the line, the preassure on the pipe was lowered. Ukraine still got gas by stealing it.

Secondly it's a socialist concept that there is some right to energy you didn't pay for. If I don't pay the oil man there's a point he stops filling the oil tank for my furnace. That's good old Aamerican freemarket at work.
17 posted on 03/08/2006 5:40:58 AM PST by x5452
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To: x5452

Heck, in addition to stealing gas and reselling it at market prices to the EU, the Ukraine seldom if ever paid its gas bills to Russia when the price was $50.


18 posted on 03/08/2006 5:47:43 AM PST by GarySpFc (de oppresso liber)
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To: Thunder90
"Russia in consences with the US.... Give me a break!"


No the word used was "APPEARS", see for some that is all that is needed.
19 posted on 03/08/2006 5:49:54 AM PST by Just mythoughts
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To: Thunder90

Russia in consences with the US.... Give me a break!==

Russia do not need nukes in Iran. Russia just plays good cop:).
Ther are one difference so. Russia recognises the right of Iran for civilian nuclier energy. IMHO it is futile to refuse that right.


20 posted on 03/08/2006 7:03:34 AM PST by RusIvan ("THINK!" the motto of IBM)
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