Diplomatic Dancing
The Iranians certainly know how to play the EU right to the max. They "negotiate" on their weapons program with the EU, promise essentially nothing except a possibility that maybe they might stop their activities for a short time and the EU is practically glowing about it. Oh, and the US has to promise not to attack Iran, removing the only credible threat the negotiators have.
On Sunday, Iran said it was ready to consider complying — at least temporarily — with a U.N. Security Council demand that it freeze uranium enrichment.
Expanding on terms of such a possible Iranian compromise, a diplomat familiar with the issue said Tehran was seeking assurances it would not be attacked by the United States during any negotiations with six world powers on enrichment and other nuclear issues.
"They are essentially seeking assurances that they would not be bombed while they are talking," said the diplomat, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in exchange for discussing confidential information.
Speaking just minutes before the start of his organization's 35-nation board meeting, IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei said that "the window of opportunity is not very long" — an implicit warning that the standoff was on the brink of escalating, with the U.N. Security Council close to considering sanctions.
Later in the week, the board will review an IAEA report received late last month documenting dozens of cases in which Iran has delayed or hampered attempts by his agency to probe Tehran's nuclear activities. The report also formally establishes that Iran ignored an Aug. 31 U.N. Security Council demand to suspend enrichment or face possible sanctions.
Touching on that report, Elbaradei said he would tell the board "that Iran has not come into full compliance with the (Security Council) request … to suspend its enrichment … and also to work with the agency to clarify important outstanding issues."
He said Iranian cooperation was "much overdue."
I'd love it for this situation to be resolved without war. What the self-indulgent fools performing this little diplomatic dance fail to understand is that eventually, the piper must be paid. If they stand united against Iran, the situation might be defused. If they continue on the path they appear to be headed down, it is unlikely to have a good outcome. For anyone.
By Neo, Monday, 11 September , 2006 @ 12:05 pm
This has an easy solution.
The US will agree to not bomb Iran while the talks procede, but Iran will agree that the US can bomb Iran without retribution if at a later time is is determined that Iran continued uranium enrichment during the talks.
By Gaius, Monday, 11 September , 2006 @ 12:07 pm
It’ll never fly - it makes too much sense.