Iran refuses EU's nuclear offer

[Winner]

Iran turns down EU nuclear offer
Iran has rejected the latest European proposals for resolving concerns over the country's nuclear programme.

The US had backed the package, which includes a proposal to let Iran develop a civilian nuclear programme if it halts uranium enrichment activities.

Tehran has threatened to resume nuclear activities next week that have been suspended since November 2004.

Its rejection of the EU proposals came as the new hardline President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was sworn in.

Iran says its nuclear programme is peaceful, but Western countries suspect it is a front hiding efforts to build atomic bombs.

The European Union - through Britain, Germany and France - has been trying to find a compromise solution over Iran's nuclear plans for two years.

But correspondents say the latest proposals fail to contain any fundamental new concessions.

'Unacceptable'

"The Europeans' submitted proposals regarding the nuclear case are not acceptable for Iran," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi was quoted as saying.

"The proposals are unacceptable because Iran's right to enrich uranium is not included," Mr Asefi said.

He added that a full response to the EU's proposals would come on Saturday or Sunday.

Earlier, Under-Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said the US hoped Iran would take the proposal seriously and that Washington was "very much in support" of efforts by the three European states.

BBC State Department correspondent Jonathan Beale said the US move was highly significant, given that until recently, the US opposed Iran having its own civilian nuclear programme, as it suspected Tehran of wanting to develop nuclear weapons.

The EU plan - which has not been made public - is said to offer recognition of Iran's right to produce nuclear power for civilian purposes, as well improved trade relations with the EU and guarantees of alternative nuclear fuel sources from Europe and Russia.

In return, the Europeans reportedly insist that Tehran should permanently give up nuclear enrichment and construction of a heavy-water reactor, which could be used to make a bomb.

Emergency meeting

Last week, Tehran said work at the uranium conversion plant near Isfahan would start again on Wednesday and cited lack of progress in talks with the UK, France and Germany.

Britain, France and Germany have called an emergency meeting of the UN's nuclear agency, the IAEA, on Tuesday.

The agency could refer the matter to the UN Security Council.

So it appears the new Iran's president is a fool with suicidal tendencies. So be it.

 

[luiz]

Does anyone actually doubt that Iran's purpose is to build nuclear weapons?

Israel or the US should just bomb their nuclear plants.

 

[Winner]

Does anyone actually doubt that Iran's purpose is to build nuclear weapons?

Israel or the US should just bomb their nuclear plants.

That won't be so easy as it was in the Iraq's case.

 

[luiz]

The problem I see is the american occupation of Iraq, as that makes it too easy for Iran to retaliate. If it was not for Bush's little adventure, I think it would be pretty easy and painless.

 

[Winner]

The problem I see is the american occupation of Iraq, as that makes it too easy for Iran to retaliate. If it was not for Bush's little adventure, I think it would be pretty easy and painless.

Exactly. Iran is preparing the ground among the Iraqi shias. I think they can inflict serious damage to the US interest in the area if needed.

 

[Cheetah]

If Israel or the USA bombs Iran, I'm affraid the US will have to fight Iranian forces deep inside of Iraq.

 

[King Alexander]

I don't support a further chaos in the area, so why don't Iran compromise? Don't they understand Bush is a dangerous man to play with?

 

[Alpine Trooper]

I would really prefer Iran not build nuclear weapons.

 

[luiz]

One thing is certain, if Iran really manufactures nuclear weapons the world will be a more dangerous place.

 

[Damnyankee]

When we invaded Iraq, we exposed Iran to our weak spot. We will never invade Iran because of this, and Iran knows this. They will continue to build up there nuke program, and we can do nothing about it. The Iranian government feels Nukes as pivitol to the survival of there country, or THERE control of Iran.

 

[The Yankee]

I don't support a further chaos in the area, so why don't Iran compromise? Don't they understand Bush is a dangerous man to play with?

They probably figure the American military is stretched and contained in Iraq. Plus, they can start their human wave attacks like in the Iraq-Iran War if they need to and they can likely rally some international/radical support.

I still think Iran has a chance to go for peace. The people don't want more conflict, they saw enough in the 1980s versus Hussein. Plus, a lot of the population is pro-American. However, they're not the ones in control...

 

[CannoedGerbil]

Iran is way to dangerous to have nukes. Personally I think that bombing the nuclear plants, whatever the consequences, is a much safer option than allowing them to posses nuclear weapons. The thought of a mushroom cloud appearing above one of the worlds major cities is far from appealing plus if Iran does it other dangerous states may follow.

However I'm sure that the Iranian leaders aren't completely suicidal and will be willing to reach a compromise when the US and EU turn the pressure up.

 

[dvandyke]

The only way Iran can ensure that it is not attacked is by producing a nuclear deterrent as soon as possible. They must act now before the US can finish its business in Iraq and Afghanistan then begin preparations to invade their next target/s.

The nuclear non-proliferation treaty was set up to prevent new nations from producing nuclear weapons but only in agreement that the established nuclear powers dismantling their nuclear weapons programs. The USA is developing new tactical nuclear weapons and UK a new Trident program.

The hypocrisy of the US is unbelievable, disarm your own nuclear weapons before making demand on other states.

 

[Godwynn]

I hope we bomb the hell out of their nuclear plants. If they retaliate, I hope the European Union will join us against Iran. Iraq was no threat, Iran is a totally different story. I still haven't forgotten about the hostage crisis either.

 

[dvandyke]

I hope we bomb the hell out of their nuclear plants. If they retaliate, I hope the European Union will join us against Iran. Iraq was no threat, Iran is a totally different story. I still haven't forgotten about the hostage crisis either.

This aggressive attitude, typical amongst Americans is exactly why Iran feels forced into a corner. They can not afford to wait for America to prepare an attack/invasion. The need to produce a deterrent whist you are still busy.

 

[CannoedGerbil]

This aggressive attitude, typical amongst Americans is exactly why Iran feels forced into a corner. They can not afford to wait for America to prepare an attack/invasion. The need to produce a deterrent whist you are still busy.

Iran probably only rejected the EU offer because they think that the US is backed into to a corner and can't respond and the EU won't use force alone. If the EU and US put on a united front where we show that we are capable and willing to use force then they will be more co-operative in other negotiations.

 

[dvandyke]

Iran probably only rejected the EU offer because they think that the US is backed into to a corner and can't respond and the EU won't use force alone. If the EU and US put on a united front where we show that we are capable and willing to use force then they will be more co-operative in other negotiations.

Why should we use force to impose our will upon another nation over a treaty that we also breach

 

[Elrohir]

Iran probably only rejected the EU offer because they think that the US is backed into to a corner and can't respond and the EU won't use force alone. If the EU and US put on a united front where we show that we are capable and willing to use force then they will be more co-operative in other negotiations.

Ah yes, it's all America's fault that their a radical Muslim government intent on gaining nuclear weapons. It's always America's fault.

I'll tell you what, if they build nuclear weapons, and give them to terrorists and an American city get's nuked there's going to be hell to pay. Literally. Can you say "Iran is a radioactive pond of glass"?

I think a quote from last night's Battlestar Galactica is in order: "Frak this, I'm sending in the Marines."

 

[general_kill]

Godwynn
The Voice of Reason

I hope we bomb the hell out of their nuclear plants. If they retaliate, I hope the European Union will join us against Iran. Iraq was no threat, Iran is a totally different story. I still haven't forgotten about the hostage crisis either.

ahhhh the irony

 

[dvandyke]

Ah yes, it's all America's fault that their a radical Muslim government intent on gaining nuclear weapons. It's always America's fault.

I'll tell you what, if they build nuclear weapons, and give them to terrorists and an American city get's nuked there's going to be hell to pay. Literally. Can you say "Iran is a radioactive pond of glass"?

I think a quote from last night's Battlestar Galactica is in order: "Frak this, I'm sending in the Marines."

Why would any government arm a terrorist group with a nuclear weapon? This is a myth dreamed up by the US government and the script writers of the TV show ‘24’. The principle of mutually assured destruction applies regardless of whether a weapon is used directly or indirectly. If a nuclear weapon was ever used would be a mountain of evidence pointing to the offending parties. Tehran does not wish to be nuked .