U.S., EU Ready to Accept Iran Nuke Program

[ECH1969]

VIENNA, Austria - The United States and Europe are ready to compromise with Iran over its nuclear program and have tentatively approved a plan that would allow it to make the precursor of enriched uranium, senior officials said Thursday.

The officials said the plan would allow Iran to convert raw uranium into the gas that is spun by centrifuges into enriched uranium. But the actual enrichment would take place in Russia, the officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to reveal the strategy.

Depending on its level, enrichment can be used to generate energy or make nuclear weapons. Iran insists it is interested in the technology only to produce power, but the United States and many other countries fear Tehran wants to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels to use as the fissile core in warheads.

But a senior European official told the AP Thursday that the EU-Three and Washington were now prepared to allow Iran to continue conversion as long as the gas produced was shipped to Russia and enriched there. That would allow international control over the level of enrichment, ensuring that it was below the levels that can be used for weapons. The development was first reported by The New York Times on Thursday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051110/ap_on_re_mi_ea/nuclear_agency_iran_2

[WildClarySage]

1. Oh, yes, because the Russian government has been so successful

in keeping their nuclear program secure?

[leveymg]

2. At the same time, Ahmed Chalabi was endorsed by Iran. A done deal?

This was my post yesterday, at news that Chalabi, who was until in custody last year on corruption charges, was sighted yesterday in Washington meeting at the State Department:

Looks like Ahmed's been "rehabilitated", as the Soviets used to say.

Even the Iranians think he's presidential, now. Could it be he's brokered The Big Deal?

Look for most US forces out by this time next year. (before the '06 elections) The Shi'ia militias will now sweep in on the remaining Sunni holdouts. In return, we hand most of Iraq to Iran, and get out of the way of reunification of Persia, as Bush 41 promised way back in 1980. Iraq gets divided three ways, and oil exports rise. Everyone gets their way.

Nation building, at its finest. Now, wait and see somebody throw a wrench into this.

Mark

[almostradical]

3. Probably not

If the deal includes a ban on enrichment, its most likely a no go. For Iran, the status quo is quite acceptable.

If the deal includes a small supervised pilot plan for enrichment, it's probably a go, but I doubt the deal includes that.

Maybe the Americans can get a deal from Russia that if Iran does not take this Russia will not veto sanctions, but even that's doubtful. Sanctions don't work either way but would escalate the conflict in ways nobody wants.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi almostradical!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ElectroPrincess]

4. But of course!

Now that our good ole' buddy, ole' pal, Chalabi is doing this blessed diplomacy between IRAN and the USA, we are all just one big happy CONNECTED Family now? :puke:

Remember sheeple, thugs are A OK to Our Ruling Class as long as it's the Brutal Dictators who prove to be supportive of the USA. Now we can get to installing Chalabi to power in Iraq.

Why is this tune playing in my head right now?

http://members.fortunecity.com/curlysdisneymagic/music/smallworld.wav

[Roland99]

6. Appears to be a Russian plan. Good job, Pooty Poot.

US, EU tentatively back Russian atom plan for Iran
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-11-10T220821Z_01_SCH079574_RTRUKOC_0_US-NUCLEAR-IRAN-IAEA.xml&archived=False