Posted on 10/03/2004 10:08:03 AM PDT by freedom44
Iran dismissed Sunday a proposal by the U.S. presidential candidate John Kerry who suggested providing Tehran with nuclear fuel for its power facilities if the Islamic state agrees to abandon its own fuel-making activities.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said that it would be "irrational" for Iran to jeopardize its nukes program by depending on supplies from abroad.
"We have the technology (to make nuclear fuel) and there is no need for us to beg from others," Asefi said at a weekly news conference.
“This suggestion is good for countries that do not have this technology, but we do not need their generosity and help." He added.
The United States claims that Iran is planning to use its nuclear reactors to develop atomic bombs. Tehran insists that it is strictly seeking the peaceful generation of electricity from nuclear power.
The U.S. President George Bush wants Iran’s dossier to be sent to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions over its nuclear program.
But Kerry says that he would test Iran's intentions by supplying it with nuclear fuel for its power reactors if Tehran ceased its efforts to make its own fuel and returned the spent fuel after use.
In his debate with Bush, Kerry said that the United States should have joined a British-French-German diplomatic initiative that aimed at convincing Iran to halt activities related to the enrichment of uranium.
Asefi also said that Iran could not trust any agreement with the West to supply it with reactor fuel.
"What guarantees are there? Will they supply us one day and then, if they want to, stop supplying us on another day?" he said.
U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton stressed the Bush administration's tough line on Iran, in remarks published in Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper on Sunday.
"We are not considering any military intervention at the moment. But our position is that we should not exclude any option from the start. Iran must understand that our policy red line is the acquisition of nuclear weapons," he said.
"The most important thing at the moment is to get Iran on to the agenda of the UN Security Council to demonstrate that the international community won't accept it acquiring nuclear status," he added.
Iran is allowed to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It has rejected repeated calls by European countries to freeze its nuclear fuel-cycle activities.
This won't stop Kerry from using this cannard.
<sarcasim>I’m sure Kerry will now support Bush's demand for immediate UN endorsed sanctions with deadlines for avoiding military action. </sarcasim>
Isn't that the sail dingy on his wind surfing apparatus?
I resent this two bit horse face even suggesting forign policy issues that are totally the responsibility of our President. He is "UNFIT TO COMMAND", even to SUGGEST.
Umm... and you think they would pass a Global Test? What will it take Johnny.... Does Israel really have to suffer a nuclear Annhialation to pass a global test and to tell you the truth... I don't even think a nuke attack on NYC would pass the global test....The countries in the World hate our way of life... Please Leave the Presidency to adults...
Maybe they are holding out until Kerry offers to give them anthrax along with the nuclear fuel...to use for "peaceful purposes" of course.
No, cannard is the name of a steamship company. They own the Queen Mary II.
I thought the offer of nuclear fuel to Iran WAS the 'Global Test'.
And Iran turns it down because they think there may be strings attached? Curiouser and curiouser.
Horse face is apt, but I like horse's ass even better.
Kerry's first policy move goes right where it should. Down the drain.
That is why crawling over broken glass to get to the polls to vote on November 2, 2004, is not such a bad alternative.
They're rearraning the deck chairs for the approaching Bushberg!
When offering the ememy everything they could possibly want is your starting negotiating position, why wouldn't they ask for more?
Must have been looking for another endorsement by foreign leaders who want him to beat GWB.Iranian News Agency Alleges Presidential Candidate John Kerry Sends Email MessageAccording to an article published in the Tehran Times, the office of U.S. Senator and leading Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry sent an email message to the Mehr News Agency. The following is the article as it appeared in English : [1]
"The office of Senator John Kerry, the frontrunner in the Democratic presidential primary in the U.S., sent the Mehr News Agency an email saying that Kerry will try to repair the damage done by the incumbent president if he wins the election. The text of the e-mail follows:
"'As Americans who have lived and worked extensively overseas, we have personally witnessed the high regard with which people around the world have historically viewed the United States. Sadly, we are also painfully aware of how the actions and the attitudes demonstrated by the U.S. government over the past three years have threatened the goodwill earned by presidents of both parties over many decades and put many of our international relationships at risk.
"'It is in the urgent interests of the people of the United States to restore our country's credibility in the eyes of the world. America needs the kind of leadership that will repair alliances with countries on every continent that have been so damaged in the past few years, as well as build new friendships and overcome tensions with others.
"'We are convinced that John Kerry is the candidate best qualified to meet this challenge. Senator Kerry has the diplomatic skill and temperament as well as a lifetime of accomplishments in [the] field of international affairs. He believes that collaboration with other countries is crucial to efforts to win the war on terror and make America safer.
"'An understanding of global affairs is essential in these times, and central to this campaign. Kerry has the experience and the understanding necessary to successfully restore the United States to its position of respect within the community of nations. He has the judgment and vision necessary to assure that the United States fulfills a leadership role in meeting the challenges we face throughout the world.
"'The current Administration's policies of unilateralism and rejection of important international initiatives, from the Kyoto Accords to the Biological Weapons Convention, have alienated much of the world and squandered remarkable reserves of support after 9/11. This climate of hostility affects us all, but most especially impacts those who reside overseas. Disappointment with current U.S. leadership is widespread, extending not just to the corridors of power and politics, but to the man and woman on the street as well.
"'We believe John Kerry is the Democrat who can go toe-to-toe against the current Administration on national security and defense issues. We also remain convinced that John Kerry has the best chance of beating the incumbent in November, and putting America on a new course that will lead to a safer, more secure, and more stable world.'"
George W. Bush will be reelected by a margin of at least ten per cent
Sounds more like he was hoisted on his own petard. (BTW: petard is French for "little fart.")
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.