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| Europe | |
| Britain: Military Action Vs. Iran Is Out | |
| 2005-09-28 | |
| Military action against Iran is inconceivable and diplomacy could still end the international standoff over Tehran's nuclear program, said British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, whose country plays a key role in negotiations. Iran insists its nuclear program is designed for generating electricity, but the Bush administration believes Tehran intends to produce atomic weapons and has refused to rule out military strikes. "All United States presidents always say all options are open. But it is not on the table, it is not on the agenda. I happen to think that it is inconceivable," Straw told British Broadcasting Corp. radio on Wednesday. Britain, France and Germany are leading European Union diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment activities. Uranium enriched to low levels can be used as fuel in nuclear reactors to generate electricity, but further enrichment makes it suitable for a nuclear bomb. On Saturday, the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution putting Iran on the verge of referral to the U.N. Security Council unless Tehran eases suspicions about its nuclear activities. The resolution ordered Iran to suspend all enrichment activities, including uranium conversion, to abandon construction of a heavy water nuclear reactor and to grant access to certain military locations, individuals and documents. Iran has rejected the resolution, protesting it was politically motivated and without legal foundation. "The truth is, as (U.S. Secretary of State) Condoleezza Rice has made clear, military action in respect of the Iranian dossier is not on anybody's agenda. I believe it is inconceivable," Straw told the BBC.
He insisted the way the international community dealt with the nuclear standoff was of fundamental importance and could affect the "geopolitical landscape for years to come." "There is no question of us going to war against Iran. Why? Because it's not going to resolve the issue. No one is talking about going to war against Iran," he later told Sky Television News. "This can only be resolved by diplomatic means and by diplomatic pressure." | |
| Posted by:ed |
| #11 "..I happen to think that it is inconceivable," Straw told British Broadcasting Corp. radio on Wednesday. Mr Straw, for YOU it's inconceivable. That is all. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-09-28 22:52 |
| #10 LH: The nearly instantaneous reversal of Staw's statement by Tony fails to support your word architecting. Surely they realized that Staw's comments were destructive. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-09-28 20:19 |
| #9 he said its not on the agenda. Going out tonight to buy a new computer is not on MY agenda, but Id do it if my old computer died. Not on the agenda doesnt mean ruled out. Inconceivable DOES mean ruled out - but note he used THAT word only in reference to his own personal beliefs. "I think its inconceivable" "I believe its inconceivable" I believe that these words were chosen carefully. On the one hand he needs to calm the Germans and French (not to mention the Russians" without ACTUALLY ruling anything out. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2005-09-28 16:05 |
| #8 What I meant to say before, is that Blair refuted Straw shortly after Straw made his latest foolish statement. Apparently there is tension between No. 10 and the FS office. I bet Tony wins. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-09-28 13:25 |
| #7 because they are morons |
| Posted by: Uninetle Hupating2229 2005-09-28 12:49 |
| #6 "This can only be resolved by diplomatic means and by diplomatic pressure." Ya, that approach has really worked well with N. Korea. Why is it that liberals insist on retrying the same failed policies over and over again? |
| Posted by: Kirk 2005-09-28 12:45 |
| #5 Straw is an incompetent MM bootlicker. Savor the chance to STFU, Jack! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-09-28 11:04 |
| #4 The Prime Minister is correct. Look how well it worked out the Sudetenland. |
| Posted by: Steve 2005-09-28 10:44 |
| #3 Inconceivable means inconceivable. Do you Yanks think that military force is the answer to EVERY question? It's a new, multi-polar world in which international law and respect for international borders, treaties, and sovereignty are essential for preserving the peace. |
| Posted by: N. Chamberlain 2005-09-28 09:43 |
| #2 Hey, Straw -- WAY TO BLOW THE GAME!!! A key element in diplomatic pressure is the threat of force. If you rule out force, then the diplomacy has nothing behind it -- and no matter what piece of paper you get signed, it will mean nothing, because you've let the other guy know there's no downside to his reneging. Christ. How did Straw become Foreign Secretary? Does he have embarassing pictures of someone? |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2005-09-28 08:03 |
| #1 Straw Jack was reserved on this by Tall Tony immediately after making this assinine statement. Cue egg on Straw Jack's face. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-09-28 07:50 |