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Iran, in U.S. newspaper (NYT) ad, defends nuclear program
Via JihadWatchIran on Friday took the highly unusual Unusual in that the NYT usually prints enemy propaganda for free, but times are tough at the NYT. step of running a costly full-page ad in the New York Times defending its nuclear activities and accusing the United States and European allies of creating an "unnecessary crisis." As U.S. and other key officials met in London to discuss efforts to force Tehran to abandon what they believe is a weapons-related program, Iran in its advertisement issued a detailed rebuttal of all charges and said it resumed uranium conversion this week because Britain, France and Germany, under U.S. pressure, violated a 2004 agreement. But Iran also held out the possibility of resolving the dispute, saying "a diplomatic and negotiated framework is the desired approach for a successful outcome and Iran is ready to consider all constructive and effective proposals." Central to Tehran's argument is the assertion that it is pursuing only peaceful nuclear energy -- not nuclear weapons -- despite concealing its activities for nearly two decades. "In fact, the predominant view among Iranian decision-makers is that development, acquisition or possession of nuclear weapons would only undermine Iranian security," read the ad, headlined "An Unnecessary Crisis" and issued in the name of Iran's U.N. mission. Tehran suspended nuclear activities at its facility at Isfahan under a November 2004 deal with Britain, France and Germany -- the EU3 -- but resumed work at the plant in August, prompting the trio to suspend negotiations. Iranian officials confirmed on Friday that it had resumed uranium conversion at the plant this week. While not illegal, the new activity signals Iranian defiance before next Thursday's meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors, which could send Iran to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions. A new IAEA report on Friday disclosed that Iran had turned over a document containing partial instructions for making the core of a nuclear weapon. Rest at link. Posted by: ed 2005-11-19 |
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