The Right State

I predicted it right here.  I knew if Iran waited and delayed long enough, they would get what they wanted.  Of course I am not sure they are through ‘negotiating.’  Although President Bush seems to be pleased by the turn of events.

Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, said the proposals had “positive steps” but that talks were needed to clear up ambiguities. Iran promised to study the proposals seriously, but gave no timeframe for a response.  (snip)

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity in exchange for discussing details, said that the United States and Europe agreed to back Iran’s membership in the World Trade Organization,

The United States would also lift some sanctions — including allowing Iran to buy the much-needed airplane parts — and join with Europeans in direct negotiations with Iran over the future of Iran’s nuclear program.

Diplomats said Monday that the United States additionally agreed to open the door for Europe to sell Tehran new Airbus planes. Iran’s commercial fleet is largely made up of Boeings purchased before the 1979 revolution, and Tehran frequently complains that the U.S. ban on parts has undermined safety. U.S. pressure has also prevented Iranian attempts to purchase new Airbus aircraft.

What is the United States and the EU not giving Iran?  I would not be surprised to see Iran hold out a little longer in hopes of securing even more loot.

Tags: Nuclear Weapons, Iran, President Bush, Politics by Chuck
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The way Europe is dealing with Iran reminds me of my infrequent shopping trips to Mexico. One advantage of living in the southern part of Texas is I can go down to Mexico every once in a while and buy all kinds of neat stuff. One thing I learned early on in my buying sprees was how to haggle over prices. For example I might see a sombrero I want to buy. Lets say the asking price is lets say $50. I will offer the store owner or salesman $25. He will most likely counter offer and on and on we would go until we had reached a price that was satisfactory. Occasionally, the owner will not want to go down on the price and so I will say no thanks and start to walk out of the store. The store owner will all of a sudden start lowering the price. It is then that I smile to myself and keep walking, knowing that I have won this round. Many times the owner will actually follow me outside lowering the price and maybe even adding in other things to the sombrero in order to encourage me to buy this funny looking hat.

Europe is dealing with Iran the same way. Iran is trying to acquire nuclear weapons and to that end is enriching uranium. As a result Europe is trying to buy a promise from the Iran’s ruling mullahs to not build the bomb. Iran, playing the role of a reluctant buyer, pretends to walk out the door. On cue, the Europeans up the offer even higher. Once again the Iranian’s say no and keep walking. Then the Europeans give an even better bid and start adding to it which takes us to the present set of circumstances in the negotiations between the west and Iran. Whatever is offered by the big three of England, Germany, and France Iran, you can be sure the offer will be met with derision. So they will up the ante again.

European nations on Tuesday weighed adding a light-water reactor to a package of incentives meant to persuade Tehran to give up uranium enrichment — or face the threat of U.N. Security Council sanctions.

When will the European Union realize they are being played? Iran will most likely still try to acquire a nuclear bomb in violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty which requires:

Non-nuclear-weapon States Parties undertake not to acquire or produce nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices. They are required also to accept safeguards to detect diversions of nuclear materials from peaceful activities, such as power generation, to the production of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

Obviously Iran is ignoring the treaty they were a signitory to. While the Iranians are in the process of acquiring nuclear weapons, they are attempting to milk everything they can from the clueless European Union.

Tags: Nuclear Weapons, Iran, Politics by Chuck
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