Note shows big power split over Iran (nuclear arms)

AP/MSNBC ^ | 10/24/11 | GEORGE JAHN

[EBH]

Russia and China are urging the chief U.N nuclear inspector to scrap or delay U.S.-backed plans to reveal intelligence on Iran's alleged nuclear arms experiments, in a bluntly worded confidential document obtained Monday by The Associated Press.

The diplomatic note to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano points to an East-West rift among the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council over how to deal with concerns about Iran's nuclear activities.

The United States, Britain and France want Amano to share what his agency knows or suspects about Iran's alleged weapons experiments with the IAEA's 35-nation board at its meeting next month. But Russia's and China's opposition likely will delay Western hopes of having the board report Tehran to the Security Council for the second time for its nuclear defiance, a referral that could open Iran to more sanctions.

In the note, Moscow and Beijing warn Amano against "groundless haste" and urge him to "act cautiously," adding that "such kind of report will only drive the Iranians into a corner making them less cooperative."

An international official familiar with the matter said Amano plans to go ahead nonetheless, arguing that it is his duty to inform the decision-making board of evidence pointing to such experiments.

[EBH]

What good is a UN inspector if they don't tell you what they found?

[nuconvert]

Let’s hope International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano is allowed to perform his duty and deliver the report.

[Usagi_yo]

Interesting .... Is the U.S going to cut off associated press from all it’s bank accounts and arrest those that obtain the leaked Diplomatic message — as they did to Julian Assange?

[Navy Patriot]

Just another Obama step to destabilize the Mideast.

Iran's oil is sold to Western Europe and China is willing to pay more.

Libya's oil is sold to Western Europe and China made a deal with Quadaffi to pay more.

Sadly something happened to Quadaffi. Same plan for Iran.

[edpc]

What good is a security council if they allow terrorist states to produce nuclear weapons?

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks EBH.

Russia and China are urging the chief U.N nuclear inspector to scrap or delay U.S.-backed plans to reveal intelligence on Iran's alleged nuclear arms experiments, in a bluntly worded confidential document obtained Monday by The Associated Press... In the note, Moscow and Beijing warn Amano against "groundless haste" and urge him to "act cautiously," adding that "such kind of report will only drive the Iranians into a corner making them less cooperative."

The explanation is, Iran is a market for Russia and China to continue to violate the Non-Proliferation Treaty; the public excoriation and humiliation will be not just the leaking of this memo, but also pointing and laughing at Russia and China for their abject fear of the Iranian mullahcracy -- which isn't cooperating now, and hasn't cooperated in the past.