Iran Breaks Seals, West Talks Sanctions, Russia uneasy.

[frigidmagi]

Radio Free Europe

[quote] 11 January 2006 -- Western leaders have condemned Iran for its decision to renew work on nuclear fuel and raised the possibility of referring the matter to the UN Security Council for possible action.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced yesterday that Iran intends to start work on nuclear-fuel enrichment -- contrary to previous assertions that its resumed research activities would stop short of this step.

In a statement issued in Vienna, the IAEA said Iran had informed it that the work would be on a "small scale" and would take place at the pilot fuel-enrichment plant at Natanz.

The issue of enrichment is highly sensitive, because Western powers suspect that Iran wants to perfect this process in order to make nuclear weapons -- something that Tehran denies.

Iranian officials announced yesterday that they had indeed removed international seals on some nuclear facilities. But they said production of nuclear fuel would remain suspended.

'Profound Concern'

The response was swift from an alarmed West.

The U.S. said if Iran continues on its current course, it will leave the international community no choice but to refer Tehran to the UN Security Council for possible action.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier wondered aloud to reporters whether negotiations between Tehran and Germany, Britain, and France should even continue.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw insisted the issue must be resolved with diplomacy and what he called "non-military means," but expressed his "profound concern" at Iran's decision to proceed.

He said Iran could develop nuclear power but not weapons.

"Iran has an absolute right to develop nuclear power plants," Straw said. "It has no right, indeed, obligations, not to do anything towards developing nuclear weapons facilities, and that is what is at issue.â€Â

[Lord Stormbringer]

You know, this is why I think we need to give them the mother of all bitch-slappings. Their intention is clear as day!

And of course all the UN wants to do is talk and make inconsequential actions.

[Robert Walper]

You know, this is why I think we need to give them the mother of all bitch-slappings. Their intention is clear as day!

But surely the Iraq war proved that a country asserting it is not pursuing WMDs is telling the truth!

And of course all the UN wants to do is talk and make inconsequential actions.

I say we let Iran drop the first bomb. Maybe then the UN might make more prompt and effective decisions in such regards. Then again, who am I kidding? They stood by while hundreds of thousands of Iraqis got slaughtered....

[Comrade Tortoise]

I say we let Iran drop the first bomb. Maybe then the UN might make more prompt and effective decisions in such regards. Then again, who am I kidding? They stood by while hundreds of thousands of Iraqis got slaughtered....

We all know that the UN is corrupt and irrelevant.

[Lord Stormbringer]

You know, this is why I think we need to give them the mother of all bitch-slappings. Their intention is clear as day!

But surely the Iraq war proved that a country asserting it is not pursuing WMDs is telling the truth!

Of course. And Nazi Germany proved that if you just give an agressive nation what it wants they won't bother you.

Bush did us no favors with his slipshod presentation of the justification for war. But frankly, even the Euro whiners know the truth. Why the hell can't they act like it?

And of course all the UN wants to do is talk and make inconsequential actions.

I say we let Iran drop the first bomb. Maybe then the UN might make more prompt and effective decisions in such regards. Then again, who am I kidding? They stood by while hundreds of thousands of Iraqis got slaughtered....

I say that's a terrible plan. Any nuclear attack is an unacceptable outcome. Try not to be a bitter idiot. The best course of action I think is to just let Iran hang themselves, which they're doing.

As for the UN, you're right that any action is going to be mostly wasted. But they have their PR uses.

[Robert Walper]

I say we let Iran drop the first bomb. Maybe then the UN might make more prompt and effective decisions in such regards. Then again, who am I kidding? They stood by while hundreds of thousands of Iraqis got slaughtered....

I say that's a terrible plan. Any nuclear attack is an unacceptable outcome. Try not to be a bitter idiot. The best course of action I think is to just let Iran hang themselves, which they're doing.

As for the UN, you're right that any action is going to be mostly wasted. But they have their PR uses.

For the record, I wasn't seriously suggesting just letting them acquire nuclear capabilities, since I'm quite convinced they'd be likely to use them.

I was suggesting the UN is certainly ineffective enough to allow Iran to complete it's objective. At least, from what results I've seen them accomplish.