Iran and the Nuclear Negotiations

Today saw more angry rhetoric out of Iran and more of their negative attitude towards the approaching deadline of the, "Freeze for Freeze Deal." Here is a couple of key excerpts: (NY TIMES ART) :

Speaking just days before a deadline set by world powers for Iran to reply to proposals to curb its nuclear ambitions, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, said on Wednesday that Iran would “continue with its path” of nuclear work, which includes the enrichment of uranium.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments suggest Iran may be preparing to take a hard line on the demands by six nations — United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany — that it stop enriching uranium ahead of a deadline set to expire this weekend. His comments were quoted by state radio, according to news agency reports from Tehran.

The six nations “know that the Iranian nation is after using nuclear energy to provide electricity but they say, Because this work gives you capability, we will not allow it,” Ayatollah Khamenei was quoted as saying by state radio, according to Reuters.

“The Iranian nation by depending on its useful experience and advantages of 30 years of resistance does not pay any attention to such talk and will continue with its path,” he said.

According to separate news agency reports from Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei was also quoted by state television as saying in a sermon: “Taking one step back against arrogant (powers) will lead to them to take one step forward.”

He added: “The idea that any retreat or backing down from righteous positions would change the policies of arrogant world powers is completely wrong and baseless.”

Honestly this is just more of the same bluster that all of the world has become used to. The Iranian Government is posturing themselves to reject the offer, or to make some sort of attempt at postponing the decision. They are also trying to rally support for their cause as we see from this information: (NY TIMES ART W/Reuters) :

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also vowed no shift in policy.

"One should not spoil negotiations by raising unreasonable conditions, since Iranians are not ready to deviate from their rights by one iota," he said, Fars News Agency reported.

The president made his remark to South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who has joined other ministers from the Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Tehran.

NAM, a group of 118 developing nations, said in a statement Iran's choice to use peaceful nuclear energy "must be respected" and welcomed "continuing cooperation" with the IAEA.

Diplomats said the text was watered down from Iran's initial draft. A NAM diplomat said Iran wanted "clear support from NAM, unconditionally" but said there were amendments "to make it more moderate." An Iranian official said Iran was still satisfied.

Diplomats said the statement omitted a call for sanctions to be lifted swiftly, as proposed by Iran. But it said "any attack or threat of attack against peaceful nuclear facilities" would be illegal, and would endanger people and the environment.

The United States has said Iran's failure to respond positively to the offer would trigger steps toward more U.N. sanctions. Three sets have been imposed since 2006.

Ahmadinejad is trying to bolster support from NAM and paint the United States, NATO, the EU, and the UN as the enemies of the 118 members of NAM. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Many of those 118 countries receive a great deal of economic and food assistance from the United States, Europe, and the UN. But, Iran is positioning themselves to reject the offer. They are trying to bolster the support of their own people with the earlier rhetoric, and now trying to lend themselves credibility by using NAM to their advantage.

The true measure is what the Iranian People decide in their own opinions. If Iran does not accept this offer, life is going to get much tougher for them. Iran already has problems economically, and this will only make it worse. The Iranian people must decide if they wish to follow the ravings of a tyrant or throw off that yoke of oppression and establish a government that takes care of them and watches out for their well being.

God Bless America

Bryan



http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/world/middleeast/31iran.html?ref=world

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