Iran prepared to 'ease western concerns' about nuclear industry, if west recognizes Iran's right to
19 replies, posted
[QUOTE]Iran is prepared to ease Western concerns about Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for pledges from the U.S. and others about the country's ability to enrich uranium, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
The remarks signaled a possible opening before next week's talks with world powers, due in the Kazakhstan capital.
The West has been reluctant to make clear declarations on Iran's nuclear "rights" in previous negotiations last year that ended in stalemate. Tehran is seeking international acknowledgment that its uranium enrichment program is acceptable within the U.N. treaty governing the spread of nuclear technology — a treaty that Iran has signed.
The U.S. and allies fear Iran's enrichment program could lead to atomic weapons; Tehran says its nuclear fuel is only for energy-producing reactors and medical applications.
The talks last year hit an impasse over Iran's highest-level enrichment, at 20 percent, which can be rapidly converted to weapons grade material. Iran says it needs the 20 percent uranium for its medical research reactor. It also produces lower-enriched uranium at 3.5 percent for its Russian-build electricity reactor.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters on Tuesday that an important "opportunity" awaits next week's talks in Kazakhstan between Iran and a six-nation group, the five permanent U.N. Security Council members and Germany.
"We will offer ways for removing possible concerns and ambiguities to show our goodwill, if Western countries, especially the U.S., fully recognize the nuclear rights of countries, which shows their goodwill," he said.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iran-nuclear-talks-opportunity-west-18534349[/url]
Yes, how about we open a dialogue, rather than just endless saber-rattling back and forth
I've always felt that Iran was pressured in to ending their nuclear program just because they might use it for nukes, completely negating the fact that NPPs are ridiculously useful.
[QUOTE=Fergeh;39642983]Yes, how about we open a dialogue, rather than just endless saber-rattling back and forth[/QUOTE]
It's not like the UN didn't give full access offers before nor the IAEA disallow the pursuit of civil power, it's that Iran flipped off the former and refuses to listen to the latter whose job is nuclear safety
They should totally be allowed to have the civilian nuclear industry. I'm a bit iffy about the 20% stuff, since they seem to be wanting to enrich a lot more than what you'd need for 'medical' reasons, but geez, let them have a friggin' powerplant or ten.
[QUOTE=scout1;39643282]It's not like the UN didn't give full access offers before nor the IAEA disallow the pursuit of civil power, it's that Iran flipped off the former and refuses to listen to the latter whose job is nuclear safety[/QUOTE]
Sanction the US for not letting Iran inspect their top secret nuclear facilities.
[QUOTE=laserguided;39643294]Sanction the US for not letting Iran inspect their top secret nuclear facilities.[/QUOTE]
The U.S. allows the IAEA to inspect their facilities, why should Iran be different?
[QUOTE=Gordy H.;39643328]The U.S. allows the IAEA to inspect their facilities, why should Iran be different?[/QUOTE]
If true than there is a point. But, do you have a citation?
[QUOTE=laserguided;39643349]If true than there is a point. But, do you have a citation?[/QUOTE]
[quote=http://www.state.gov/t/isn/5209.htm#protocol]Article 11
(a) The Agency, in co-operation with the United States, may send inspectors to facilities identified by the Agency pursuant to Article 2 of this Protocol to verify the design information provided to the Agency in accordance with the provisions of this Protocol, for the purposes stated in Article 9 of this Protocol or for such other purposes as may be agreed between the United States and the Agency.
(b) The Agency shall give notice to the United States with respect to each such visit at least one week prior to the arrival of inspectors at the facility to be visited.[/quote]
I would be looking for more promises on ensuring the safety of Iranian NPP as well, the IAEA has highlighted before safety flaws and dangerous levels of under staffing at some of their facilities.
[QUOTE=Gordy H.;39643373][/QUOTE]
Okay, but what about Israel since they are a major player in this dispute.
Israel has yet to let any inspectors into their aged nuclear facilities. Why are they not sanctioned? Isn't this a double standard?
[QUOTE=laserguided;39643439]Okay, but what about Israel since they are a major player in this dispute.
Israel has yet to let any inspectors into their aged nuclear facilities. Why are they not sanctioned? Isn't this a double standard?[/QUOTE]
Yes it is, may I take your coat?
[QUOTE=Stopper;39643480]Yes it is, may I take your coat?[/QUOTE]
Ah the world we live in.
[QUOTE=laserguided;39643439]Okay, but what about Israel since they are a major player in this dispute.
Israel has yet to let any inspectors into their aged nuclear facilities. Why are they not sanctioned? Isn't this a double standard?[/QUOTE]
Because in truth, the issue here is nuclear weapon proliferation - not the safe operating of nuclear reactors. While safety is one of the IAEA's primary missions, its other mission is to prevent proliferation. Israel already possesses nuclear weapons and nothing can be done about that. Sanctioning them would do nothing. That's not true for Iran, who have yet to construct a nuclear weapon(and can hopefully be prevented from doing so).
[QUOTE=Gordy H.;39643548]Because in truth, the issue here is nuclear weapon proliferation - not the safe operating of nuclear reactors. While safety is one of the IAEA's primary missions, its other mission is to prevent proliferation. Israel already possesses nuclear weapons and nothing can be done about that. Sanctioning them would do nothing. That's not true for Iran, who have yet to construct a nuclear weapon(and can hopefully be prevented from doing so).[/QUOTE]
Sanctioning Israel would do everything, they would have a sense of urgency to not be retarded. They deserve to be sanctioned, they're occupying another globally recognized state.
Israel's nuclear facilities don't exactly have a good record either.
I am exactly correct when I say it is a double standard and it is insanely hilarious how Israel expects Iran to be inspected whilst denying inspections itself. Even more so to threaten attack on Iranian facilities over fear of the unknown. This is hypocrisy at its finest when it comes to global affairs.
[QUOTE=laserguided;39643597]Sanctioning Israel would do everything, they would have a sense of urgency to not be retarded. They deserve to be sanctioned, they're occupying another globally recognized state.
Israel's nuclear facilities don't exactly have a good record if you believe what people have said.
I am exactly correct, it is a double standard and it is insanely hilarious how Israel expects Iran to be inspected whilst denying inspections itself. Even more so to threaten attack on Iranian facilities over fear of the unknown.[/QUOTE]
I'm not saying Israel doesn't deserve to be sanctioned for other things. What I'm saying is that in the case of nuclear power and weapons, sanctioning them would do nothing. And while Israel's nuclear facilities may not be safe, I don't believe the UN has ever sanctioned a country for having unsafe reactors(the IAEA focuses more on providing assistance and materials to make reactors safe, as opposed to forcing countries to keep them up to code).
And no, that's not a double standard. The UN sanctions countries for attempting to produce WMD's. It does not sanction countries for not following safety precautions.
[QUOTE=Gordy H.;39643635]I'm not saying Israel doesn't deserve to be sanctioned for other things. What I'm saying is that in the case of nuclear power and weapons, sanctioning them would do nothing. And while Israel's nuclear facilities may not be safe, I don't believe the UN has ever sanctioned a country for having unsafe reactors(the IAEA focuses more on providing assistance and materials to make reactors safe, as opposed to forcing countries to keep them up to code).
And no, that's not a double standard. The UN sanctions countries for attempting to produce WMD's. It does not sanction countries for not following safety precautions.[/QUOTE]
But nobody else thinks they are currently aiming for nuclear weapons other than Israel.
[url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/23/us-iran-usa-nuclear-idUSBRE82M0G020120323[/url]
That and they're only enriching to 20%, and the IAEA would known right away if anything above that. Plus they're converting significant portions of their stockpile to nuclear fuel for reactors.
[QUOTE=laserguided;39643655]But nobody else thinks they are currently aiming for nuclear weapons other than Israel.
[url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/23/us-iran-usa-nuclear-idUSBRE82M0G020120323[/url]
That and they're only enriching to 20%, and the IAEA would known right away if anything above that. Plus they're converting significant portions of their stockpile to nuclear fuel for reactors.[/QUOTE]
And yet, despite only Israel thinking Iran is aiming for nuclear weapons, 32 of the 35 countries on the IAEA board(including Russia and China) expressed concern over Iran's nuclear ambitions in 2011. This is not just some U.S./Israeli move to try and bully Iran.
And if Iran is only enriching up to 20%, they should have no problem with letting the IAEA inspect their facilities. Keep in mind that with Iran:
a. They don't currently have nuclear weapons and can hopefully be prevented from gaining them.
b. They have(in the past) planned to create nuclear weapons.
So while yeah, Iran is likely being honest and really only enriching up to 20%, there's enough reason and evidence pointing to the contrary to justify sanctions directed at their nuclear program.
[QUOTE=Gordy H.;39643752]And yet, despite only Israel thinking Iran is aiming for nuclear weapons, 32 of the 35 countries on the IAEA board(including Russia and China) expressed concern over Iran's nuclear ambitions in 2011. This is not just some U.S./Israeli move to try and bully Iran.
And if Iran is only enriching up to 20%, they should have no problem with letting the IAEA inspect their facilities. Keep in mind that with Iran:
a. They don't currently have nuclear weapons and can hopefully be prevented from gaining them.
b. They have(in the past) planned to create nuclear weapons.
So while yeah, Iran is likely being honest and really only enriching up to 20%, there's enough reason and evidence pointing to the contrary to justify sanctions directed at their nuclear program.[/QUOTE]
Concern isn't really 'we consider this a threat'. Its general concern, most of the world would rather Iran come clean about what they have done in the past and what they're currently doing. It would really be in their interests, but I suspect the problem is being seen as giving into the west or some ideological difference. Because tensions between Iran and the United States aren't solely because to the nuclear industry in Iran. The US pretty much toppled a democratic government and replaced it with a monarch in the 50's. Then when Iran's Islamic revolution was over, the US was pissed. Then you have Saddam invading with chemical weapons supplied by the west. Its going to be hard for them to negotiate. Hopefully Kazakhstan is a breakthrough.
[QUOTE=laserguided;39643781]Concern isn't really 'we consider this a threat'. Its general concern, most of the world would rather Iran come clean about what they have done in the past and what they're currently doing. It would really be in their interests, but I suspect the problem is being seen as giving into the west or some ideological difference. Because tensions between Iran and the United States aren't solely because to the nuclear industry in Iran. The US pretty much toppled a democratic government and replaced it with a monarch in the 50's. Then when Iran's Islamic revolution was over, the US was pissed. Then you have Saddam invading with chemical weapons supplied by the west. Its going to be hard for them to negotiate. Hopefully Kazakhstan is a breakthrough.[/QUOTE]
I can't argue with that. Iran has plenty of reasons to distrust the USA and by extension many of its allies. As you said, we can only hope they see that being honest is in everyone's best interest.
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