Iran Nuke Compromise Eyed

World Powers May Consider Letting Iran Keep Partial Atomic Program

(AP)  The United States, Russia, China and key European powers may for the first time be ready to allow Tehran to keep some of its uranium enrichment program instead of demanding it be completely mothballed, foreign government officials said Tuesday.

Speaking on the eve of talks between top Iranian envoy Ali Larijani and Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, the officials — some of them diplomats, others based in their capitals — said the discussions were key because for the first time they could try to sidestep the deadlock over enrichment by trying to agree on a new way of defining enrichment.

Iran's defiance of a U.N. Security Council demand to freeze all activities linked to enrichment — a possible pathway to nuclear arms — has led to two sanctions-bearing resolutions against Tehran, the latest in March. Although the punishments are selective and relatively mild, they could be further sharpened if the Islamic republic refuses to compromise.

The United States and others say past suspicious nuclear activities — including a program Tehran kept secret for nearly two decades — make Iran a special case.

But Tehran argues the sanctions are illegal, saying that it — like other nations that have endorsed the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty — has the right to enrich to generate nuclear power. That, say Iranian officials, is the only purpose of their program, rejecting suspicions that they want ultimately to enrich to weapons-grade uranium for the fissile core of nuclear warheads.

The last face-to-face talks between Solana and Larijani were more than six months ago, and they foundered over the same issue. Solana, representing the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, demanded that Iran mothball not only fledging enrichment efforts but all linked aspects, including assembling centrifuges to enrich and facilities to house such plants. Tehran refused.

The approach on both sides before Wednesday's talks, however, might make a compromise easier, because of a new willingness to examine possible ways of redefining an enrichment freeze, said the officials, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because their information was confidential.

Iran now is running more than 1,300 centrifuge machines and — as a prelude to enrichment — has coated their insides with minute amounts of the uranium gas that is used for enrichment itself, according to an internal International Atomic Energy Agency document.

Iran's ultimate goal is to run 50,000 centrifuges a year, enough to churn out material for a network of nuclear power generators — or a full-scale nuclear weapons program, should it choose to do so.

One of the diplomats said recognition by the United States and its allies that Iran would never accept their earlier demand of a full freeze dictated a decision to contemplate "a new definition of enrichment" that would allow Tehran to keep some of its program intact without actually turning out enriched material.

"The prize is the 50,000," he said, alluding to attempts by the six world powers to prevent Iran from developing its full-scale program at its underground enrichment facility at Natanz.

He said the United States was favoring "cold standby" — where a set number of centrifuges are allowed to remain standing and assembled in series but not running. Iran, he said, was likely coming to Wednesday's discussions seeking "hot standby" — with the machines at least operating, if not producing enriched uranium.

The six powers also wanted to reduce assembled and hooked-up centrifuges to less than 1,000, so — should Larijani and Solana agree that there was further room for discussion — numbers also would likely play a role, he said.

[lars008-2009]

the religion of peace... hahahahaha

the war muhammad started rages on 1400 years later...
623 - Battle of Waddan
623 - Battle of Safwan
623 - Battle of Dul-'Ashir
624 - Muhammad and converts begin raids on caravans to fund the movement.
624 - Zakat becomes mandatory
624 - Battle of Badr
624 - Battle of Bani Salim
624 - Battle of Eid-ul-Fitr and Zakat-ul-Fitr
624 - Battle of Bani Qainuqa'
624 - Battle of Sawiq
624 - Battle of Ghatfan
624 - Battle of Bahran
625 - Battle of Uhud. 70 Muslims are killed.
625 - Battle of Humra-ul-Asad
625 - Battle of Banu Nudair
625 - Battle of Dhatur-Riqa
626 - Battle of Badru-Ukhra
626 - Battle of Dumatul-Jandal
626 - Battle of Banu Mustalaq Nikah
627 - Battle of the Trench
627 - Battle of Ahzab
627 - Battle of Bani Quraiza
627 - Battle of Bani Lahyan
627 - Battle of Ghaiba
627 - Battle of Khaibar
628 - Muhammad signs treaty with Quraish.
630 - Muhammad conquers Mecca.
630 - Battle of Hunsin.
630 - Battle of Tabuk
632 - Muhammad dies.
http://www.carm.org/islam/islam_chronology.htm

[firststate]

diplomacy3

Tending bar in TJ is "serving" drinks in a "foreign" country, but it's not a "foreign service" career.

Career diplomats offer important personal continuity through times when our policies shift dramatically as they often do with a new president. The diplomatic corps offers some inertia that can slow implementation of a pres.'s drastic shifts in policy, but it can't stop them. If you don't know that the pres sets foreign policy after 30 years service, you've missed many events that happened around you. It's int'l rel & diplomacy 101. If you haven't been in a coma for 6 1/2 yrs, and you're not aware that DickNBush made policy changes, there's no hope, count staples or something until retirement.

The president as the head of state, sets our foreign policy. The diplomatic corps and appointees implement them. US policy did nearly a 180 degree shift in many areas when DickNBush arrived on the scene. Our rhinestone-cowboy-in-chief made his "My way or the highway" mentality, our policy.

[pwrslm]

US foreign relations are based in the executive branch under the Department of State, whose head is Condolleeza Rice.

The position is appointed by the President. The person serves at the pleasure of the President as well, giving the President the full ability to dismiss one and appoint another. The Departments primary duty is to implement the Presidents foreign policy decisions.

So in effect, within the mix of international laws, treaties, and the customs of foreign nations observed, the President (as head of state) is directly in control of foreign relations through the Department of State.

[tbweb]

Diplomats the World over use to be a prestigious group of professionals, able to solve any World problem no matter how difficult! Diplomats would use smooth language and astute skills and I was always impressed by them. Now the Diplomatic Corps seems lacking, not very talented and the World is in crisis and always on the brink of disaster as a result. I hope Diplomats around the World regain their pass glory. The greatest wars, the greatest battles are the ones that are never fought! Peace!

[diplomacy3]

Diplomats lay the foundation of the foreign policy guidelines. The President is to execute it. Subject to Congressional approval, the President can go ahead whatever action he deems necessary. By that I mean, the President has to work within a framework, no doubt he is the BOSS. Currently, just look at the funding for Iraq war. There is a clash and the President is to veto it.

[randalds]

For example, Iran which could at some stage threaten our presence in the Gulf or influence the region as a whole, I don't think our policy would have been different if we had a democrat President, instead. That's my point.
Posted by diplomacy3 at 11:32 PM : Apr 24, 2007

But ultimately it is the president who decides IF to act on the groundwork diplomats have laid and/or how to. The diplomats exist only in an advisory role, not as policy makers. Of course how to deal or not deal with Iran and how would be completely different from one president to another. The president is the final voice of policy and the diplomatic core mere advisers. I'm sure career diplomats would like to think that they have a more important role then that, but the president and only the president makes the final judgement of the direction of our foreign policy.

[diplomacy3]

The basic issue is who makes the foreign policy. I say it's not the President. I don't question the functioning of the government. The State Department does the foot work(fundamentals) to form policy. There are always reasons to take other options when diplomacy fails, like war. For example, Iran which could at some stage threaten our presence in the Gulf or influence the region as a whole, I don't think our policy would have been different if we had a democrat President, instead. That's my point.

[randalds]

When I wrote that you are selling ice to Eskimos I thought you would understand.
I have served 30 long years in foreign service. You need to understand appointments in the State Dept. and forming foreign policy. Two very different subjects. Presidents are not necessarily career State Dept. officials or diplomats. I hope this is enought to understand.
Posted by diplomacy3 at 10:56 PM : Apr 24, 2007

Well then you would think you would have learned basic civics by now wouldn't you? 30 years in the foreign service and you still don't know who the boss is? Man if you've been in the foreign service for 30 years then it sure explains why our foreign policy is so fu*cked up? Personally I think you're lying, because your minimal grasp on how our government functions says you're full of sh*it. There is not a snowballs chance in hell you made it past 5th grade civics, let alone into our government. Though Bush made it so I guess some things are possible.

[diplomacy3]

RandalDS

When I wrote that you are selling ice to Eskimos I thought you would understand.
I have served 30 long years in foreign service. You need to understand appointments in the State Dept. and forming foreign policy. Two very different subjects. Presidents are not necessarily career State Dept. officials or diplomats. I hope this is enought to understand.

[randalds]

You are selling ice to Eskimos! I know who makes the foreign policy and who promotes it. The fundamentals of foreign policy are never changed by any elected government or President. No President would change a foreign policy at his own will. It's the diplomatic corps that forms the think-tank. The President is briefed on hot issues of the policy to achieve certain goals during his presidency.
Posted by diplomacy3 at 08:30 PM : Apr 24, 2007

OK, in all seriousness. This is not meant to be insulting or anything like that, but it is a basic function of the government that the president sets foreign policy and changes it at will. This is one of the most basic reasons we have a president, to set and change foreign policy. This is not some attempt to trick you and I really could care less if you agree with my stand on any political issue, but the plain and simple truth is that the president, not some think tank or group of diplomats, sets the foreign policy. They advise him, but it is the president that makes all of the decisions concerning this issue. Major foreign policy decisions made by the president, such as starting a war, have to be approved by Congress, but other then that the president and only the president sets the foreign policy. I mean read a basic civics book or ask any school teacher or someone from your own political party. All of them will tell you the very same thing. This is one of the ways our government functions. I am not trying to "sell" you anything.

[randalds]

You are still absolutely 100% wrong. The president appoints all of the top members of the State Department including the Secretary of State and they all do his bidding.
Posted by RandalDS at 07:48 PM : Apr 24, 2007



We are in deep Yogurt aren we Rand? They still believe in Santa Clause... :(
Posted by ToolMangler at 08:54 PM : Apr 24, 2007

We are indeed. I mean don't they teach basic civics in school any longer? How uneducated to you have to be to think the president isn't the person who sets foriegn policy? How can you point out where people are wrong when they have apparnetly never read the Consititution or even have the slighest dam*ned idea how our governemtn functions? I mean this person actually doesn't understand that the president controls foreign policy? How do people get to that level of ignorance about their own government? I just don't understand people like this.

HEY!!! People who agree with me about other things or not! Will you PLEASE chime in and tell thsi Diplomacy3 that it is the president who sets the country's foriegn policy? I mean come on it's like trying to point out something to a 2nd grader!

Tell him ToolMangler. Maybe he'll listen to someone else.

[diplomacy3]

...Unfortunately about 90 % of the people on these boards thinks Iran wants peace...

Good news. Clouds of war thinning?

The United States, Russia, China and key European powers may for the first time be ready to allow Tehran to keep some of its uranium enrichment program instead of demanding it be completely mothballed, foreign government officials said Tuesday.

[toolmangler-2009]

Iran's maniac president has successfully fooled them.
Posted by singinrick at 08:57 PM : Apr 24, 2007


He doesn't run things there!!! That Guy in the Turban does. And Amahdamnutjob is his mouthpiece..

[toolmangler-2009]

PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE GREEN CUTAIN..... I AM THE GREAT AN POWERFUL..



shshshshshhhhhheeeeessshhhhhhhhhh

[toolmangler-2009]

You are still absolutely 100% wrong. The president appoints all of the top members of the State Department including the Secretary of State and they all do his bidding.
Posted by RandalDS at 07:48 PM : Apr 24, 2007



We are in deep Yogurt aren we Rand? They still believe in Santa Clause... :(

[pwrslm]

ive seen alot of ignorance on these boards

but you folks who want to think that iran will and or has not pursued the bomb are fools

totally ignorunt fools

[diplomacy3]

RandalDS

You are selling ice to Eskimos! I know who makes the foreign policy and who promotes it. The fundamentals of foreign policy are never changed by any elected government or President. No President would change a foreign policy at his own will. It's the diplomatic corps that forms the think-tank. The President is briefed on hot issues of the policy to achieve certain goals during his presidency.

[randalds]

...RandalDS

For one thing I am sure is that Presidents do not make US foreign policy.It's the Dept. of State. Foreign policy is already framed and is reviewed according to global political developments. To give it a priority is one of President's jobs. That's why the President said lately that not only him but any future President would also follow the same policy in the Middle East.
Posted by diplomacy3 at 07:20 PM : Apr 24, 2007

You are still absolutely 100% wrong. The president appoints all of the top members of the State Department including the Secretary of State and they all do his bidding. That is their job, to do the presidents bidding in the area of foreign policy. He establishes the direction he wants his foreign policy to go and they make it happen. The president changes the foreign policy that had been followed up to the point when he took office to suit his vision of what he thinks it should be. That is his constitutional right and duty. It is a basic function of the presidency. The State Department is not a separate branch of the government and they work for the president. You really have no idea how our government works, do you? I'm not saying that to try to be insulting, but it's basic civics to know that the president controls all of the US foreign policy via his own actions and via the State Department, which reports directly to him and no one else.

[diplomacy3]

...RandalDS

For one thing I am sure is that Presidents do not make US foreign policy.It's the Dept. of State. Foreign policy is already framed and is reviewed according to global political developments. To give it a priority is one of President's jobs. That's why the President said lately that not only him but any future President would also follow the same policy in the Middle East.

[agnim]

"Iran Nuke Compromise Eyed"

Eating HUGE Texas crows! LOL

That's the way to get the 'bush trimmed'!

Harry Reid on the left.

Iraq in front!

Iran on the right.

And only Laura behind

The world on top of the shoulders of the bush, and DOWN IT GOES! LOL