In what can only be a surprise for the truly stupid, Iran's president gave the equivalent to a Bronx cheer to the news that the permanent members of the UN Security Council had voted to refer Iran to the full UNSC.
"The people of Iran will not give up their right to exploit peaceful nuclear technology," Ahmadinejad said in the northwestern town of Mineh, according to state television. "They are not intimated by the arrogant uproar and propaganda today."
Ahmadinejad added that Iran would continue to negotiate over the direction of its nuclear program, "but that doesn't mean blind obedience to the West."
He reiterated that Iran plans to respond to the incentives package in August.
"We are interested in seeing this issue resolved peacefully. But if they (the West) create tension, then the outcome would affect the Europeans. The tension would primarily harm them," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying.
He said Iran might revise its nuclear policy, but he did not elaborate.
Later, Ahmadinejad said resolving the case would take time.
"A several years-old case is not solvable in only a few months. In a nuclear case, two, three, four months is not a remarkable time," he said in the neighboring town of Sarab.
The package was presented June 6 and the world powers had wanted Iran to respond before the G-8 summit that opens Saturday in St. Petersburg, Russia. The United States and the other nations wanted Iran to say whether it would meet terms to begin negotiations on the economic and energy incentives in exchange for at least a short-term end to Tehran's program to enrich uranium.
Diplomats said recent meetings with Iran's nuclear negotiator have gone nowhere and it was clear Tehran hoped to play for time or exploit potential divisions among the six powers that have offered new talks.
Well, they're busy stirring up trouble all over, so of course they're a little distracted. Better wake up, folks.
