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Iran says has "suspended', not "halted' uranium enrichment
TEHERAN - Iran will "suspend" uranium enrichment but will never agree to a total halt, Iran's foreign ministry said Monday after a crucial deal on easing nuclear concerns was struck with Britain, France and Germany. "We stayed within our red lines, and this red line meant we could suspend enrichment but not stop it," foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters. | All they agreed to was to push the "Pause" button. At least, they say they paused it. And we can believe them, right? |
Faced with the threat of being referred to the UN Security Council over its nuclear activities, Iran agreed late Sunday to suspend its controversial uranium enrichment-related activities in a deal with the three European Union states. "In the text, we insisted on the fact that the suspension is a voluntary decision and not a legal obligation," Asefi asserted. "Iran's acceptance is political." | "We reserve the right to chance our minds anytime we want." |
"This is an important change. In the past, the Europeans insisted on Iran stopping its enrichment programme, but the question now is how Iran can continue its programme without worrying other countries."
He said the accord "recognises the right of Iran to master nuclear technology." | "At least, that's how we see it." |
Posted by: Steve 2004-11-15 |
