June 1, 2006
YOU WANNA DEAL WITH ALL OF US OR RECKON WITH HIM?:
Iranians face bleak nuclear choice (Anton La Guardia, 02/06/2006, Daily Telegraph)
The world's major powers last night agreed a package of incentives for Iran to give up key parts of its nuclear programme - and a series of punishments if it does not.The plan drawn up by America, Russia, China, France and Germany is designed to present Teheran with a bleak choice: halt the most dangerous parts of the nuclear programme and integrate into the world, or face isolation and economic damage. [...]
The package is based on an earlier deal offered by Britain, France and Germany - and promptly rejected by Teheran. It will now carry greater weight because of America's involvement.
The world powers are known to have discussed carrots - such as building a western-designed light water power reactor and trade deals. Above all, there is the promise of normalisation of relations with America.
Six Powers Reach Accord On Iran Plan: U.S. Supports Combination Of Incentives, 'Disincentives' (Glenn Kessler, 6/02/06, Washington Post)
The United States and five other major world powers agreed Thursday to offer Iran a broad new collection of rewards if it halts its drive to master nuclear technology, but they threatened "further steps in the Security Council" if Iran refuses.The agreement, announced here by British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett following extended talks, brings general unity to the countries' approach to Iran after months of discord, diplomats said. It is intended to sharpen the choice facing Iran, giving it a clear reason to opt for cooperation over confrontation on its nuclear program.
"There are two paths ahead," Beckett told reporters, as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and counterparts from Russia, China, France, Germany and the European Union stood at her side. "We urge Iran to take the positive path and to consider seriously our substantive proposals, which would bring significant benefits."
The agreement, of course, is meant to constrain France, Germany, China, and Russia, not Iran. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 1, 2006 9:27 PM
Well, that looks like a deal Iran can't refuse. I think they will refuse though, after an initial agreement.
I think we're all in for a big surprise concerning their nuclear ambitions. They probably already have nuclear weapons.
Their program has been in two parts, right? Admin and Military. If their military has been tinkering with nuclear development for more than 8 years they have to have arms. That or they're incompetent. Just a thought.
Posted by: Tom Wall at June 1, 2006 9:47 PMWhy would a theocratic government be competent?
Posted by: oj at June 1, 2006 9:52 PMI can't resist - FDR presided over a not very competent government, and it managed to build a bomb.
It doesn't matter how the mullahs rule, IF all they want is to have nuclear weapons. They only need hold on until they can test one, or successfully bluff their way through with just a threat. They will then be in roughly the position China was in 1965, armed with nuclear weapons and a known nut in charge. Then came the Cultural Revolution and 15-20 years of horror.
In the case of Iran, those years will not be strictly internal suffering, if that is what the mullahs (and their various agencies, councils, police forces, private armies, and goons) really want. Think East Germany with an independent nuclear force.
Khameini's time is short. If he wants a strong Iran, he is going to have to kill the nut. Otherwise, the "cultural" revolution (inspired by Ahmadinejad is probably going to overtake him.
Posted by: ratbert at June 1, 2006 10:09 PMrat:
FDR presided over the most effective government man has come up with yet.
Posted by: oj at June 1, 2006 10:47 PMNow, I must not be a very good student, because I don't remember learning that here.
Or is that your inner Tugwell coming out?
Posted by: ratbert at June 1, 2006 11:16 PMHe was just an American president like any other.
Posted by: oj at June 2, 2006 7:29 AMoj. Do you have a deal with the evil drug companies to keep your readers' BP up at peak levels? FDR is like any other American president?
Posted by: erp at June 2, 2006 12:49 PM