Time To Talk To Iran Is Now: Analysis

By Greg Bruno

Perhaps it was not surprising that after thirty years of diplomatic stalemate, expectations for a major breakthrough between Tehran and world powers in Geneva on October 1 were exceedingly low. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, in an interview with CFR.org, said while Iran was "optimistic about the talks," it was under no illusion resolution will be swift. A senior U.S. official, previewing the talks in a briefing with reporters on September 30, echoed the sentiment: "I think it's pretty safe to predict that this is going to be an extraordinarily difficult process."

Yet for all the measured words before the summit, the post-Geneva consensus is decidedly upbeat. Iran vowed to cooperate "fully" with UN inspectors; U.S. and Iranian negotiators met face-to-face in one of the most substantive bilateral contacts (Guardian) in decades; and more talks are already planned. As David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, told CNN: "For the United States and Iran to sit down finally and start to talk about the significant differences between the two countries is extremely important, and I think it's long overdue." U.S. President Barack Obama said the "meeting was a constructive beginning, but it must be followed by constructive action by the Iranian government."

Complicating the meeting was the revelation of a new uranium enrichment plant near the city of Qom. Iran disclosed the plant in a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on September 21 (Fars), but Obama--joined by the leaders of France and Britain--accused Tehran of concealment. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon followed up with calls for greater transparency from the Islamic Republic (NYT) on its nuclear program, and Mohamed ElBaradei, the outgoing head of the IAEA, said Iran should have alerted his agency about the plant the day construction began (VOA). Iran, meanwhile, denies it broke the law and insists its actions are legal. Mottaki, speaking with NPR, says the facility at Qom will enrich uranium for civilian power production.

Read the rest on Council On Foreign Relations' (CFR) Website

Comments

[wwoody]

We need how much to make a bomb?

[Horst]

Better hurry ...it turns out Ahmadinejad's family converted from Judaism.....this might no so well with the Mullahs.

[BKearney]

Here's a crazy idea; lets build nuclear power plants for iran. yup that's what i said, think about it.
we partner up with iran to build nuclear power plants we supply the parts, the tech workers and the technology, they supply labor and fuel. the result is money for us, knowlage for us, non oil burning power for them and a working relationship between our two independant countries. the only thing standing in the way is distrust.

[Khirad]

Conservatives in both countries would never allow it.

[Laughing Man]

We have suggested that "with their partner being Russia not the US seeing as they have a trust issue with us" but it was rejected by Iran as they would give up their right to process their own fuel. It is a great idea and not far from what is going to be suggested again "now that they have been caught red handed they may be more open to it".

[davidwayneosedach]

Talk to your heart's content! Bipolar Ahmadinejad already has rudimentary nuclear bombs.

[Ergon]

What's a 'rudimentary nuclear bomb' oh great nuclear scientist?

[Ergon]

And where did they test it, and how do they plan to deliver it?

[Hirnlego]

Its no wonder wars are so easily sold..

1. Ahme is not the decider
2. Not even a program has been proven

Here, listen to this so that your level of knowledge is vastly improved:
http://dissentradio.com/radio/09_09_29_ritter.mp3.

[Khirad]

#1, especially, is lost to most. On this it would have made no difference which of the four candidates won.

[joabear]

Balance of deterrence, or a catastrophe?
Iran has no intention to limit or alter its nuclear program
http://iranian.com/main/2009/oct/balance-deterrence-or-catastrophe

[Ergon]

Which it has every right to do.

[Macready]

well said ergon

[joabear]

Buying nuke time

The details of the landmark meeting between the so called five plus one and representatives of the IRR, the Islamist Rapist republic, are sketchy. There are tidbits of information pointing to arriving at some sort of stopgap measure to temporarily lessen the sane world’s apprehension with IRR’s full cycle illegal nuke program.

Apparently IRR has accepted to have some of its stockpile of low-grade enriched uranium be transferred to Russia for further enrichment and then converted to useful fuel for Tehran nuclear research site by French technicians. In addition the IRR has promised to within the next two weeks allow the outgoing head of the IAEA and his inspection teams visit the newly revealed Qom nuke site. If all goes accordingly then there will be further meetings between the parties by the end of the current month.

Should the above hold true then President Obama’s impromptu White House news conference makes sense, specially the part that not many are zeroing in on.

“Iran must take concrete steps to build confidence that its nuclear program will serve peaceful purposes, steps that meet Iran's obligations under multiple U.N. Security Council resolution.”

.
The AP reports the following: ...
http://iranian.com/main/node/82706

[joabear]

Why the IRI Should Not Get the Bomb

http://iranian.com/main/node/82718

[joabear]

Yes, Let's cuddle another dictator in the ME. When are we going to learn our lesson?

[Thabit]

Attacking Iraq killed more Americans than Bin Ladin did on 911 and for WMD's that weren't there

[joabear]

Who is talking about attacking Iran?? don't trust the Islamic Republic of Iran. I am deadset against the idea of a military attack on Iran, first for loss of human life and second for giving IRI an extended life over oppressed Iranians, and I hate the idea of sanctions against Iran because that will hurt Iranians. Just the same, I find I no longer want to defend IRI's rights with respect to the nuclear program. Screw them. They are murderers.

[joabear]

Regarding the Iraq invasion: Don't you find it deeply hypocritical when the Islamic Republic is on record for helpin the US to invade both Iraq and Afghanistan??? This is rhetorical question... Did you decry the Islamic Republic's contribution to death and mayehm in Iraq?? Did you decry the dispalcement of 3 million Sunnis from their homes at the hands of Shiites supported by the Islamic Republic?? Doesn't the IR support the so-called puppet Shiite government of Iraq with pleasure????
Theise are rhetorical questions...BTW.

[outnow]

Let's make a deal that promotes regional stability. We need Iran more than Iran needs us. They can help in Afghanistan against the Taliban. They could provide pipeline routes for gas and oil. They could provide for stability in Iraq. Why force Iran into the Russian's camp?

We need to support their autonomy and guarantee their security. I hope Obama can pull off a deal that disarms Iran from WMD production or intentions yet allows them peaceful enrichment through a third party. That would be a win-win.