The United States and Iran tentatively stepped back from looming confrontation on Thursday, as the Islamic republic reached an agreement with major powers that would greatly reduce Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium and reset the diplomatic clock for a solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions. The Mad Mullahs win again.
The outcome, which President Obama in Washington called a "constructive beginning," came after 7 1/2 hours of talks in an 18th-century villa on the outskirts of Geneva that included the highest-level bilateral meeting between the two countries since relations were severed three decades ago after the Iranian revolution. See how easy it was, Bush?
But the difficulties that lie ahead were illustrated when the chief Iranian negotiator, Saeed Jalili, held a triumphant news conference at which he denounced "media terrorism," insisted that Iran has always fully met its international commitments, and refused even to acknowledge a question from an Israeli reporter.
The sudden show of cooperation by Tehran reduces for now the threat of additional sanctions, which was the plan all along has been made repeatedly by the United States and others over the past week after the revelation of a secret Iranian nuclear facility. The United States will need to keep the pressure on Iran to avoid being dragged into a process without end. Ahhh... The WaPo recognizes the risks....
Under the tentative deal, Iran would give up most of its enriched uranium to Russia in order for it to be converted into desperately needed material for a medical research reactor in Tehran. Oh, so that's what it's for, this month.
Iran also agreed to let international inspectors visit the newly disclosed uranium-enrichment facility in Qom within two weeks, and then to attend another meeting with negotiators from the major powers by the end of the month. The series of agreements struck at the meeting was in itself unusual because, in the past, the Iranian negotiators have said they would get back with an answer - and then fail to do so.
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Posted by: Bobby ||
10/02/2009 05:54 ||
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[Al Arabiya Latest] American President Barack Obama said on Thursday Iran heard a unified message from the international community at talks in Geneva and Tehran must now take steps to ensure its nuclear program is not for weapons.
"The Iranian government heard a clear and unified message from the international community in Geneva. Iran must demonstrate through concrete steps that it will live up to its responsibilities with respect to its nuclear program."
Obama said that Iran must follow through on its promises of transparency in its nuclear program and that the U.S. was prepared to move toward increased pressure on Tehran if it does not carry out its international obligations.
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Posted by: Fred ||
10/02/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
Obama said that Iran must follow through on its promises of transparency
[Iran Press TV Latest] IAEA Secretary General Mohamed ElBaradei is set to visit Iran "soon" to hold talks with Iranian officials, says a spokesperson for the UN nuclear watch.
"Director General ElBaradei has been invited to Tehran by Iranian authorities. He will travel there soon to discuss a number of matters," DPA quoted Gill Tudor as saying in Vienna on Thursday.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief's visit to Tehran is expected to take place soon after a meeting between Iran and the major world powers was held in Geneva.
Political directors from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the US, Britain, France, Russia and China, plus Germany (P5+1) held talks with Iran's top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili on Thursday.
Tudor did not give further details about ElBaradei's upcoming visit to Iran.
[Al Arabiya Latest] A group of Lebanese Muslim scholars on Thursday called for a Brazilian samba troupe to be banned from performing in the southern coastal city of Tyre on moral and religious grounds. Ohfergawdsake. Wait'll they see the lambada...
"This is a pornographic dance group that goes against our ethics," Sheikh Ali Yassin, one of 50 religious leaders who are calling for the cancellation, told AFP.
"We fear that once they start dancing nude in the streets, there will be trouble," Yassin added. "Our society will not accept such a parade.
"The city of Tyre is a city of resistance and its history is that of a conservative Muslim city."
The Brazilian troupe has been performing throughout Lebanon since September 23 as part of a festival and planned a final performance in Tyre on Thursday evening.
#2
They're worse than the "Puritans,
I always wondered how the Puritans ever managed to have any children in the firt place?
Perhaps that's the reason you never hear from them anymore?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
10/02/2009 22:59 Comments ||
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