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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Tehran Mulls Taking UN Atomic Agency To Hague Court
2006-03-10
Vienna, 10 March. (AKI) - A member of the Iranian delegation to the UN atomic energy agency board meeting in Vienna says Tehran may take the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the International Tribunal in the Hague. The Iranian diplomat, who asked to remain anonymous, underlined that under the IAEA statute, no signatory of the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) can be asked to suspend its nuclear activities. "Almost all the 16 resolutions approved by the IAEA on Iran ask our country to suspend part of its nuclear programme" he said. "There are all the conditions to bring the IAEA to the international court, given that under article 17 of this body's statute the competent court for disputes between the agencies and member states is the Hague" the diplomat added.

Western nations, spearheaded by the US, argue that Tehran's failure to fully comply with the NPT's delegated monitoring body, the IAEA, means it is reneging its obligations as an NPT signatory.

In the Iranian capital there are also rumours that the government plans to open up a second judicial battle front, this time to request financial compensation for the damage suffered from the suspension of uranium enrichment. In this second case, the government is reportedly considering denouncing the governments of Britain, France and Germany - all members of the EU trio which has for two years been engotiating with Tehran to ensure transparency in its nuclear activities and reassure the international community that its civilian nuclear programme is not a cover for creating atomic weapons. These government, according to Tehran, are guilty of not having respected an accord signed in Paris on 15 November 2004 with the government of former president Mohammed Khatami.
Posted by:Steve

#15  They can delay if they want to without that. "the real chance for a negotiated settlement", even if its phony, has more clout than the ICJ for a delay - not that some folks arent interested in the ICJ, but an ICJ suit has nothing (legally) to do with the UNSC's schedule, and i think everyone knows that.


Besides if the Russkies thought the referall might be not just mistaken, but illegal, they presumably would have voted no on the IAEA board - does ANYONE have the record of the vote? I havent seen it.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-03-10 16:33  

#14  And the ICJ gives them a convenient excuse.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2006-03-10 15:17  

#13  "Jesus, LH, you haven't been paying attention. Iran has just involved one of the tranzi's holy bodies; anything taken to the UNSC will be met with "give the process a chance", no matter that the process is meaningless."

We shall see. Id rather see what actually happens.

I agree theres a real chance the Russians will block sanctions. I doubt very much that the ICJ will come into play however. If the Russians try to delay it will be based on their "negotiations" not on ICJ involvement.



Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-03-10 13:12  

#12  Oh, no, not the hag
Posted by: Captain America   2006-03-10 12:16  

#11  They might fellate them, RC. ;-)
Posted by: .com   2006-03-10 10:20  

#10  Jesus, LH, you haven't been paying attention. Iran has just involved one of the tranzi's holy bodies; anything taken to the UNSC will be met with "give the process a chance", no matter that the process is meaningless.

Keep clicking your heels and wishing, but the international community ain't gonna do squat to or about Iran. The only question is who will block it.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2006-03-10 10:18  

#9  "Another bid to buy time. If we go along with it, we're fools."

doesnt buy time at all. The UNSC process moves along apace, the ICJ suit will be in parallel. If the UNSC is going to stop and wait for the ICJ, i havent heard of it.

Purely a propaganda move, afaict.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-03-10 09:59  

#8  Now Dan,

In tribute to Clint ya gotta get it right...

You gotta ask yourself....do I feel lucky? Well do ya, punk?
Posted by: AlanC   2006-03-10 09:48  

#7  Iran needs a Dirty Harry moment....

You gotta ask yourself....do you feel lucky? Well do ya, punk?
Posted by: PlanetDan   2006-03-10 09:30  

#6  I just like the mental image of Larijani trotting off to Den Haag, imploring the international community to "Do Something, mommy. The Americans are being mean to me again."
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-03-10 09:29  

#5  Another bid to buy time. If we go along with it, we're fools.

Yet another reason to treat the UN and the ICJ with contempt, IMHO.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2006-03-10 09:26  

#4  'under article 17 of this body's statute the competent court for disputes between the agencies and member states is the Hague" the diplomat added.'

Oh. didnt know that. Still, id have a hard time seeing the ICJ strike down an IAEA res backed by most of the P5. BTW, I still havent seen a list of which countries voted for the referral resolution.

Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-03-10 09:16  

#3  An international agency can request an advisory opinion from the ICJ, but IIUC a country can bring suit against another country, but not against a UN agency. In any case the ICJ has no enforcement mechanism, aside from actions of the UNSC. And of course if the UNSC took Irans side the IAEA referral would be moot.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-03-10 09:14  

#2  I'll bring the lemonade, sodas and beer.
Posted by: lotp   2006-03-10 09:00  

#1  Please, please do this. Please. I've got the popcorn cart clean and ready to go. And the cotton candy machine.
Posted by: Seafarious   2006-03-10 08:58  

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