Posted on 05/17/2006 2:15:35 AM PDT by DoctorZIn
Top News Story
EU considers giving Iran a nuclear reactor.
- Yahoo News reported that European nations are considering adding a light-water reactor to a package of incentives meant to persuade Tehran to give up uranium enrichment.
China approves of the idea.
- The New York Times reported that China said it supported European efforts to create a new package of incentives for Iran as a way of resolving the standoff over its nuclear program. The report added that Europe would not offer Iran security guarantees against potential threats by its neighbors.
The CIA's history of over estimating the time needed to become a nuclear power.
- James S. Robbins, National Review Online reminds us of the failings of the CIA to accurately predict the time required for Russia, China, India, and Pakistan to become a nuclear power.
Chavez considering selling his F-16 fighter jets to Iran.
- Breitbart.com reported that Venezuela is considering selling its fleet of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to Iran.
Iranian opposition protests Shirin Ebadi at UCLA.
- ASUCLA Student Media reported that Shirin Ebadi at UCLA was met with as much opposition Monday night. The 2003 Nobel Peace laureate came to UCLA to speak of her new book, but several protesters interrupted her speech claiming Ebadi is a spy for the Iranian regime.
Four ideas on how to deal with Iran, without firing a shot.
- The Wall Street Journal suggested four things the Bush administration can do to alter Iran's calculations in their bid to develop nuclear weapons. A must read.
The State Department sends "a message to Iran" via Libya.
- The Age reported that Senior US officials have acknowledged that the move to restore full diplomatic ties with Libya is aimed in part at influencing Iran to give up uranium enrichment.
- Eli Lake, The New York Sun reported that when America and Libya come to reopen their embassies in Washington and Tripoli, Arab democrats will be demoralized and the families of those killed by acts of Libyan terror will be disgusted.
Iran's Oil Bourse to start in July.
- UPI reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that starting in July Iran will abandon dollar payments for its oil and natural gas exports in favor of euros.
Here are a few other news items you may have missed.
- Henry A. Kissinger, The Washington Post says it is time for the US to define its Iran strategy.
- The Wall Street Journal reported that central Asia, site of the 19th-century "Great Game" for supremacy between the British Empire and czarist Russia, is emerging with its oil and gas riches as the first strategic battleground of the "Multipolar Era" among the U.S., China. Moscow and Iran.
- Mail & Guardian reported that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lashed out at world media coverage of the Islamic republic's nuclear program.
- Amir Taheri, The NY Post discussed the cost to the Iranians for its 29 year war with the US. The U.S. is now four times richer, in constant dollars, than it was in 1979. Iran, however, is almost 50 percent poorer.
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The EU has now pointed out, that this is proof if proof is needed that Iran is more interested in developing a Nuclear Arsenal rather than looking to meet there energy needs.
The EU never expected the reactor to be accepted and the whole exercise was aimed at China and Russia as proof of the Iranian leaderships real intension's.
the b j clinton school of foreign policy is alive and well
Eurabia embraces the concept of "BOHICA" willingly...
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Iran shuns EU 'reactor incentive'
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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dismissed a possible European offer of incentives to induce Iran to suspend its nuclear enrichment programme.
He likened the incentives, which European negotiators are said to be considering, to the offer of "walnuts and chocolates" in exchange for gold.
France, Germany and the UK are thought to be discussing plans to offer Iran a light-water reactor.
Iran denies accusations among Western powers that it is seeking nuclear arms.
France, Germany and the UK had been due to meet the US, Russia and China on Friday, but this has been delayed.
A spokesman for the foreign office in London said this was to allow for more detailed discussion of the offer.
The meeting is now expected to be held in the next 10 days.
'Bitter experience'
Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said his government would offer its own economic incentives to Europe to recognise its right to enrich uranium.
| They say they want to give us incentives! Do you think you are dealing with a four-year-old child..? Mahmoud Ahmadinejad |
"Iran's 70-million population market is a good incentive for Europe," he was quoted as saying by local media.
The BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says Mr Asefi's remarks made fun of the Europeans' intense diplomatic efforts.
And speaking to supporters in the central Iranian city of Arak, Mr Ahmadinejad said the Europeans were treating Iran like a child:
"They say they want to give us incentives! Do you think you are dealing with a four-year-old child to whom you can give some walnuts and chocolates and get gold from him?"
Mr Ahmadinejad said Iran simply would not accept suspension of its nuclear work again, having agreed to it for two years and found it was a "bitter experience".
And he warned that the West should not force governments who have signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to pull out of it.
Iranian suspicions
On Tuesday, the three EU states were reported to be considering reviving an offer to Iran of a light-water nuclear reactor as part of a package to persuade it to suspend nuclear fuel enrichment and research and avoid possible UN Security Council sanctions.
A reactor was tentatively offered in a previous European package of incentives in August that was swiftly rejected by Iran, says the BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran.
The EU's latest reported initiative comes as the US and some European governments seek a tough resolution on Iran at the UN Security Council.
China and Russia - both veto-holding members of the Security Council - do not want to support any resolution that might eventually lead to further resolutions threatening sanctions or military action.
In Tehran, many suspect the latest package of European incentives is aimed more at wooing Russian and Chinese support than really striking a deal with Iran, our correspondent says.
Can we just them the REATION, instead?
Errr... REACTION, of course!
Like a vapor?
Well, we sometime have unemployment problems, but they are backward so they have employment problem. ;-)
They can't seem to decide if they have an employment problem or an unemplyoment problem. But if they keep doing what they're doing, they'll have survival problems.
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