Thursday
Aug272009
Iran's Nuclear Programme: Talks, Threats, and Propaganda
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 7:00
The Latest from Iran (27 August): Catching Breath
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On the diplomatic calendar for Iran's nuclear programme, the date of 14 September has a big red circle around it. That's the day when 150 nations convene in the general convention of the International Atomic Energy Authority.
And that's why we are in the midst of manoeuvres and propaganda that put even the US-Iran contest of the Bush years to shame.
Two weeks ago, Iran proposed that the 14 September conference ban attacks on any nation's nuclear facilities. This was followed on 18 August by a declaration by Iran's envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, "Talks without preconditions is Iran's main stance in negotiations on the nuclear issue."
However, Tehran backed away from Soltanieh's statement and "Western and Israeli officials" struck back a day later: “The International Atomic Energy Agency under Director General Mohamed ElBaradei was refraining from publishing evidence obtained by its inspectors over the past few months that indicate Iran was pursuing information about weaponization efforts and a military nuclear program.”
What has followed has been a battle of spin, not between Iran and the US/Israel but amongst "Western officials". Those trying to keep talks with Iran on the rails let it be known that Iran had not expanded the number of centrifuges enriching uranium at its Natanz nuclear site since the end of May. Those opposed to engagement countered with the "news" that Iranian leaders had received and rejected in May a proposal calling for a halt to Iran's nuclear enrichment program in exchange for no new United Nations sanctions.
Beyond the propaganda, what is next? Tehran says it is ready for nuclear talks without preconditions but is decided not to stop its uranium enrichment facilities. Despite the Obama talk of engagement, others in Washington and European capitals are threatening to expand sanctions if Tehran does not shelve nuclear enrichment by the end of September. Israel continues its lobbying, moving between hints of military action and support for the toughest possible economic restrictions. Russia and China, sceptical of and often opposed to such sanctions, remain silent.
For now, just keep retracing that circle around 14 September.
Receive our latest updates by email or RSS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FEED
Buy Us A Cup of Coffee? Help Enduring America Expand Its Coverage and Analysis
On the diplomatic calendar for Iran's nuclear programme, the date of 14 September has a big red circle around it. That's the day when 150 nations convene in the general convention of the International Atomic Energy Authority.And that's why we are in the midst of manoeuvres and propaganda that put even the US-Iran contest of the Bush years to shame.
Two weeks ago, Iran proposed that the 14 September conference ban attacks on any nation's nuclear facilities. This was followed on 18 August by a declaration by Iran's envoy to the IAEA, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, "Talks without preconditions is Iran's main stance in negotiations on the nuclear issue."
However, Tehran backed away from Soltanieh's statement and "Western and Israeli officials" struck back a day later: “The International Atomic Energy Agency under Director General Mohamed ElBaradei was refraining from publishing evidence obtained by its inspectors over the past few months that indicate Iran was pursuing information about weaponization efforts and a military nuclear program.”
What has followed has been a battle of spin, not between Iran and the US/Israel but amongst "Western officials". Those trying to keep talks with Iran on the rails let it be known that Iran had not expanded the number of centrifuges enriching uranium at its Natanz nuclear site since the end of May. Those opposed to engagement countered with the "news" that Iranian leaders had received and rejected in May a proposal calling for a halt to Iran's nuclear enrichment program in exchange for no new United Nations sanctions.
Beyond the propaganda, what is next? Tehran says it is ready for nuclear talks without preconditions but is decided not to stop its uranium enrichment facilities. Despite the Obama talk of engagement, others in Washington and European capitals are threatening to expand sanctions if Tehran does not shelve nuclear enrichment by the end of September. Israel continues its lobbying, moving between hints of military action and support for the toughest possible economic restrictions. Russia and China, sceptical of and often opposed to such sanctions, remain silent.
For now, just keep retracing that circle around 14 September.
Reader Comments (2)
Before the current crisis, everyone in Iran thought the nuclear issue was nothing but a ploy by Israel / America to beat up on Iran and to drag it around and justify the isolation and containment policy that has been the objective of USA / Israel towards Iran since 1984 onwards.
Obama seems to have indicated that he wants to replace isolation with engagement, however the containment was still the key objective.
Post crisis, we seem to have gone back to the tried and failed policy of isolation and containment. Drum up false charges, beat Iran and impose sanctions. Isolate, contain and hope that you can beat them into compliance.....
I am afraid that the AN government, through its miscalculation of the post election crisis, has created an environment that is going to serve well the critics of Obama. Israel will get its wish, and America will return to the old policy to treat Iran. Expect the sanctions to result in speeding up of the enrichment activity if anything, expect any military threat or strike to result in the dash for the underground test.....
Expect fire and harsh treatment to be meet with equally harsh response and fire...
The irony of this all is that for all practical purposes, for the last 5 years, all we have seen from USA and Israel is innuendo and false facts..... What happened to that Israeli laptop that was supposed to be the smoking gun? And the falsified classified design documents that were proven incorrect. After the WMD mess of Irag and 4 years of false facts by USA and Israel, I would say the own-es is on the West to show it does not have a hidden agenda in pursuit of the nuclear agenda against Iran as opposed to Iran showing it has not got a hidden nuclear program.
We all along said. Push the nuclear issue and you will solidify everyone around the AN and SL. The opposition will melt.
For once America can do nothing and see real change in Iran, lets see it it grabs the bait falls over backwards for Israeli interests and stops all change in Iran overnight?
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