Iran must stop balking …

Responding to a Guardian Newspaper Editorial dated Wednesday 6^th August 2008, entitled “Dangerous delaying tactics” the article concerns the dangers posed by Iran’s continuing nuclear enrichment programmes.

The editorial says:

… The exact terms of Iran’s reply yesterday to the package of incentives it was offered to stop enriching uranium are not known. But the general drift is. An Iranian official told Reuters it contained no word on the central issue, a freeze of sanctions in return for a freeze on uranium enrichment. Until Iran addresses this, it is only fostering the impression that it is playing for time.

Writing in response:

The US changed its tack in dealing with Iran, some three weeks ago, when it sent William Burns, a senior US diplomat, along with representatives from Europe in hearing Iran’s response to their latest offer of talks in ending its nuclear defiance. That was the first time that America had fielded such a senior official for direct talks with Iran on nuclear matters. It was only the first time that Iran had not simply backed-away at such revolutionary prospects.

The primary objectives of those talks was in hoping for a freeze on further expansion of Iran’s uranium-enrichment effort and on further UN sanctions. A clutch of incentives have been offered to Iran in ending the work altogether, similar to those offered to North Korea who are now engaging productively within the international arena after their decision to co-operate fully and within the spirit of the NPT, but, in Iran’s case, Mr. Ahmadinejad remains resolutely steadfast by insisting its enrichment programmes will go on. Iran’s President says that so long as America understands that, talks can go ahead on an “equal footing”.

Iran claims to have no other nuclear purpose than to fuel reactors in making electricity. But, with stockpiles of gas centrifuges and a vast quantity of spent-uranium rods at Iran’s disposal, the real aim might well be in acquiring enough fissile material in building a nuclear bomb. Iran is surrounded by countries that all have a nuclear weapons capability including its greatest adversary, Israel. ‘Double standards’ on nuclear proliferation by the United States could be something that Iran is using to its own advantage, when it clearly sees and witnesses heavy arsenals within countries like Pakistan. It seeks to protect itself, like others do.

Iran, though, is clearly the world’s most dangerous nuclear conundrum. Its multiple rocket tests during July, for example, were no-doubt in part a response to Israeli Air Force surveillance on its activities. New intelligence about past weapons-related work has also sharpened the questioning of the West given the evidence collected and analysed after the recent Natanz bombing by Israeli fighter jets. The evidence points to something far more sinister than just merely enriching uranium and plutonium for energy generation.

Iran has clear choices on the table. If it co-operates with the West it will be guaranteed expanded political, trade and security ties. It has also been promised help with advanced but less dangerous nuclear technologies. If it doesn’t co-operate it faces the real risk and threat of US direct military action. With US forces now being wound-down in Iraq after General Petraeus’s successful surge in the country, Bush may be willing and ready in dealing with the final part of his declared ‘axis of evil’. Iran is playing a dangerous game which could have implications if the country doesn’t change tack.

 

© Mark Dowe 2008: all rights proteced

 

Reference:

• Guardian Editorial, “Dangerous delaying tactics”