Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

What does the EU know about Iran that we don't?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • What does the EU know about Iran that we don't?

    This from the Iran Daily, an English-text newspaper coming out of Tehran. Why does Bush insist on an isolationist stance with respect to Iran, when all the European Union states want to play nicey-nicey? Are they being too namby-pamby?

    Miulang

    Europeans Dangle Nuclear Carrot
    LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 11--The European Union reiterated Monday its willingness to renew dialogue with Iran on a host of issues, including trade, if it suspends uranium enrichment activities.
    "If Iran on its side is willing to suspend all activities in the field of enrichment for peaceful purposes, we are willing to continue with the dialogue," said Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot, AFP reported.
    He described the EU's policy towards Tehran as one of "engagement with a large number of incentives," including a trade agreement "and a number of other measures...to intensify our cooperation with that country."
    He was speaking after the EU, which has long sought a policy of engagement with Tehran in contrast to the US isolationist stance, discussed the issue at a regular monthly meeting of foreign ministers.
    Tension is rising ahead of a November meeting of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) directors, where Washington is expected to raise the stakes by calling for the Iran nuclear issue to be sent to the UN Security Council.
    EU leaders have expressed disappointment with Iran since February elections, which saw the return to power of conservatives.
    The Dutch minister added that human rights remain a key concern.
    "We still should send a strong signal that we think that that aspect is very important in our policy," he said.
    "We believe the EU should stand united and show its determination both as far as the engagement policy is concerned and, of course, as far as the condition is concerned that Iran suspends its enrichment activities."
    "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

  • #2
    Re: What does the EU know about Iran that we don't?

    Hmmm...wonder if some underlings in the Bush Administration are deciding that diplomacy might work better with Iran than muscle flexing? This from today's Iran Daily, quoting a NY Times article:

    US, Europe Preparing Incentives for Iran
    NEW YORK, Oct. 12--The Bush administration is holding talks with European allies on a possible package of economic incentives for Iran as part of efforts to persuade Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment, the New York Times and Reuters reported on Tuesday.
    Citing unnamed US and European diplomats, the Times reported that offers to Iran could include access to imported nuclear fuel, Reuters reported.
    Last year, Britain, France and Germany reached an agreement with Tehran under which the Islamic Republic promised to suspend nuclear fuel enrichment, a process that can be used to make fuel for power reactors or for bombs.
    While it has yet to enrich any uranium, Iran never entirely froze the program and recently resumed key parts of it.
    In addition, the decision would have political implications, the report said. Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic candidate, has criticized President George W. Bush for not working more closely with European nations.
    Kerry has said that if elected, he would endorse a deal supplying Iran with civilian nuclear fuel under tight restrictions and would press for sanctions if Iran refused.
    According to the newspaper, the incentives under discussion would allow Iran to import fuel for the civilian reactor it is planning to install at Bushehr and may lift curbs that are blocking Iran from importing spare parts for its ailing civilian airline.
    "Americans believe in three freedoms. Freedom of speech; freedom of religion; and the freedom to deny the other two to folks they don`t like.” --Mark Twain

    Comment

    Working...
    X