EU to Warn Iran Trade Ties at Stake in Nuclear Row
September 29, 2003
Reuters.com
Reuters
The European Union was set to warn Iran on Monday that lucrative trade ties with the 15-nation bloc could be in jeopardy if it fails to restore international trust in its nuclear program.
In a draft statement obtained by Reuters, EU foreign ministers demanded that Tehran sign up for tougher inspections of its facilities and refrain from fuel enrichment which could be used to produce fissile material for nuclear weapons.
"Such action would also enhance perspectives for political and economic dialogue and cooperation," the draft statement to be issued later on Monday said.
It said ministers would review future steps in the light of the next report by the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) director general, Mohamed ElBaradei, to the board of the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
The IAEA, at Washington's urging, has given Tehran until the end of October to dispel the international community's concerns that it is secretly developing nuclear arms. Tehran has denied it has any such designs.
The 15-nation EU sought progress from Tehran in four areas before negotiations on a trade and cooperation agreement can move ahead. These include human rights, Iran's attitude to the Middle East peace process and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, as well as tough inspections of its nuclear program.
In July the EU issued its strongest warning so far about Iran's nuclear program and human rights record, and set Monday as a deadline for reviewing relations.
However, diplomats say the EU has since extended its deadline to coincide with the October 31 date set by the IAEA....
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=3523876Iran is Iraq redux: the reaction to the UN demand for inspections is another in-your-face dance-of-seven-veils.
Iran is brittle--it cannot bend, only break.
It rests on fire ants below and depends on protection from Pooty-Poot above.
After Camp David, it is not likely the latter will last.
Memo to Bush Administration: Feed the Fire Ants.