Iran to Europe, we need more bomb making time

[frigidmagi]

BBC

Diplomats from Iran and three EU states say they have agreed to meet again in January after fresh talks in Vienna about Tehran's nuclear programme.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki had earlier reaffirmed his country's determination to enrich its own uranium.

The US and EU hope to persuade Iran to give up its ambitions to manufacture fuel suitable for use in nuclear bombs.

But their efforts have been hampered by poor relations in recent months.

'Open and frank negotiations'

"We agreed to continue our talks in January," Iranian Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Deputy for International Affairs Javad Vaidi said.

"Regarding the location, we have agreed on Vienna," he added.

France's representative at the talks, Stanislas Lefebvre de Laboulaye, said the sides "set out their positions in an open and frank manner."

"The two sides agreed to consult their respective leaderships with a view to holding another round of talks in January, with the aim of agreeing a framework for negotiations," he said.

Negotiations over the nuclear issue broke down in August, when Iran announced it would resume converting uranium into gas form.

Iran has insisted it has the inalienable right to resume conversion, and presents it as part of a peaceful civilian nuclear energy policy.

Anti-Israel remarks

The talks were also the first on the subject since a series of anti-Israeli comments by Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.


IRAN'S NUCLEAR STANDOFF
September 2002: Work begins on Iran's first nuclear reactor at Bushehr
December 2002: Satellite photographs reveal nuclear sites at Arak and Natanz; Iran agrees to an IAEA inspection
September 2003: IAEA gives Iran weeks to prove it is not pursuing atomic weapons
November 2003: Iran suspends uranium enrichment and allows tougher inspections; IAEA says no proof of any weapons programme
June 2004: IAEA rebukes Iran for not fully co-operating with nuclear inquiry
November 2004: Iran suspends uranium enrichment as part of deal with EU
August 2005: Iran rejects EU proposals and resumes work at Isfahan nuclear plant

Mr Ahmadinejad's fierce anti-Israeli rhetoric has drawn condemnation from around the world.

He has described Israel as a "tumour" to be "wiped off the face of the map", and suggested that the country should relocate to Europe.

He has also publicly denied the Holocaust, calling it a "myth".

The remarks were condemned at the United Nations, and caused particular outrage in Germany.

The EU has also appeared to harden its tone towards Tehran, criticising Iran over its human rights record.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Nobel Peace Prize winner Mohammed ElBaradei, has said that the world is losing patience with Iran over the nuclear issue.

Has you can guess from the title, I have no faith in Iran at this moment. The comments by Iran's current President have comfirmed my belief that he and his government have no intentation of doing anything but stalling until they are first radical Islamic state with nuclear weapions. Ladies and Gentlemen I Do Not Trust this man with a nuke. Europe is in much more danger from a Iranian Nuke and needs to wake the fuck up.

[Ace Pace]

So while the nuclear factories(silly term but still) were vulnerable and open, everyone ignored it. Now that they're under meters of concrete everyone is talking about them, see the problem?

In the end Iran will get its nukes, no way around it.

[Robert Walper]

So while the nuclear factories(silly term but still) were vulnerable and open, everyone ignored it. Now that they're under meters of concrete everyone is talking about them, see the problem?

In the end Iran will get its nukes, no way around it.

Perhaps what the world needs is a good slap in the face to realize how serious this situation is. Perhaps when the first one or two nukes destroy some nice sized cities, the world will take the issue more seriously.

[Lord Stormbringer]

So while the nuclear factories(silly term but still) were vulnerable and open, everyone ignored it. Now that they're under meters of concrete everyone is talking about them, see the problem?

In the end Iran will get its nukes, no way around it.

Perhaps what the world needs is a good slap in the face to realize how serious this situation is. Perhaps when the first one or two nukes destroy some nice sized cities, the world will take the issue more seriously.

On the contrary, I do believe that the European heads of government know exactly how serious this is. I've seen an article, on HP&CA I belive, which suggested that they regard it as a very serious threat. However, they are aware that the US and Israel both have vested interests, to the extent of possible military action, and thus we will not allow them to gain nuclear weapons. They are cynically hiding behind negotiations, knowing that others will take military action, with then intent of keeping their own hands clean of the deed. Thus allowing them the moral high ground with out any of the risks.

Looking at the Cold War actions of France and some of the other European nations, I can readily believe it. They're certainly right in claiming that it's a reliable pattern.

[frigidmagi]

Just that there's the problem that it's very likey that an airstrike won't do enough damage now.

[Lord Stormbringer]

Just that there's the problem that it's very likey that an airstrike won't do enough damage now.

Conventional strike anyway.

[frigidmagi]

A nuclear strike won't happen Stormlord.

[Lord Stormbringer]

A nuclear strike won't happen Stormlord.

I was at the time thinking of some of the odd bunker buster ideas that have been toyed with on and off for a while now. From what I understand, some of those were meant for this sort of situation.