TEHRAN, Iran, Oct. 31, 2009

Iranian Lawmakers Reject Uranium Plan

Parliamentary Committee Disapproves of U.N.-Backed Proposal to Ship Uranium Abroad for Enrichment

  •  (AP / CBS)

(AP)  Senior Iranian lawmakers rejected on Saturday a U.N.-backed plan to ship much of the country's uranium abroad for further enrichment, raising further doubts about the likelihood Tehran will finally approve the deal.

The UN-brokered plan requires Iran to send 1.2 tons of low-enriched uranium - around 70 percent of its stockpile - to Russia in one batch by the end of the year, easing concerns the material would be used for a bomb.

After further enrichment in Russia, France would convert the uranium into fuel rods that would be returned to Iran for use in a reactor in Tehran that produces medical isotopes.

Iran has indicated that it may agree to send only "part" of its stockpile in several shipments. Should the talks fail to help Iran obtain the fuel from abroad, Iran has threatened to enrich uranium to the higher level needed to power the research reactor itself domestically.

The Tehran reactor needs uranium enriched to about 20 percent, higher than the 3.5 percent-enriched uranium Iran is producing for a nuclear power plant it plans to build in southwestern Iran. Enriching uranium to even higher levels can produce weapons-grade materials.

"We are totally opposed to the proposal to send 3.5 percent enriched uranium in return for 20 percent enriched fuel," senior lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi was quoted by the semiofficial ISNA news agency as saying.

Boroujerdi, who heads the parliament's National Security Committee, said the priority for Iran was to buy nuclear fuel and hold on to its own uranium. He also said there was no guarantee that Russia or France will keep to the deal and supply nuclear fuel to Iran if Tehran ships them its enriched uranium.

"The preferred option is to buy fuel ... there is no guarantee that they will give us fuel ... in return for enriched uranium. We can't trust the West," ISNA quoted Boroujerdi as saying.

Kazem Jalali, another senior lawmaker, said Iran wants nuclear fuel first before agreeing to ship its enriched uranium stocks to Russia and France even if it decides to strike a deal.

"They need to deliver nuclear fuel to Iran first ... the West is not trustworthy," the official IRNA news agency quoted him as saying.

Jalali said Iran needs fuel and putting conditions to deliver it for the research reactor is unacceptable.

"Countries possessing fuel are required, under international rules, to provide fuel for such reactors. Putting conditions is basically wrong," he said.

Jalali said these conditions for the fuel was teaching Iran new lessons.

"Western approach toward Iran's demand for fuel is only straightening Iran's resolve to continue its peaceful nuclear program," he added.

The lawmaker said France has reneged on previous agreements and that Tehran doesn't trust Paris.

He said Iran holds a 10 percent share in a Eurodif nuclear plant in France purchased more then three decades earlier but is not allowed to get a gram of the uranium it produces as an example that Iran can't trust the West.

Tehran says it has paid for 50 tons of UF-6 gas, which can be turned into enriched uranium, in Eurodif's plant but has not been allowed to use it.

"Iran is a shareholder in Eurodif but doesn't enjoy its rights. This shows the French are not reliable," Jalali said.

Areva, the state-run French nuclear company, has described Iran as a "sleeping partner" in Eurodif.

The U.S. and its allies have been pushing the U.N.-backed agreement as a way to ease their concerns that Iran is using its nuclear program as a way to covertly develop weapons capability.

By Associated Press Writer Ali Akbar Dareini
© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by payasyougo November 1, 2009 9:43 AM EST
"Iranian Lawmakers Reject Uranium Plan"
----
After a thourogh analysis of all options available to them, it has been calculated that Iran's first nuclear test will be held in Isreal.
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by armik80 November 1, 2009 4:41 AM EST
Maryam Rajavi calls for comprehensive UN sanctions against Iranian regime
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Maryam Rajavi: Talks will not prevent mullahs from developing nuclear weapons

NCRI - Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, commenting on the Iranian regime?s negative response to the International Atomic Energy Agency?s proposal, said that it was fully anticipated as the Iranian Resistance had repeatedly declared in past.

She said that Khamenei and Ahamdinejad, faced with increasing public dissent and nationwide uprising and the regime?s inability to overcome the internal rift and crisis, consider the nuclear bomb as the only means for the regime?s survival. To this end, the mullahs will never give up the nuclear project as it will expedite disintegration and downfall of the regime.

?The recent developments do not leave any doubts that the Iranian regime?s nuclear projects are only intended for developing nuclear weapons and the claims about their peaceful use in areas of technology and medicine are only pretexts for achieving that goal,? She added.

Mrs. Rajavi called on the United Nations Security Council to implement comprehensive diplomatic, technological, arms and oil sanctions on the Iranian regime. She said that such sanctions should be imposed as the first step in the course of preventing the terrorist mullahs from acquiring nuclear weapons.

For more than two decades the Iranian regime has kept secret its nuclear projects and deceived the international community. Pinning hopes on negotiations with this regime is part of the despicable policy of appeasement which has brought the terrorists ruling Iran closer to nuclear bomb and the Middle East region as well as the whole world to the brink of war. Waiting for mullahs? written response is like chasing a mirage.

For this regime, which has until now been rewarded by the international community with increasing concessions for its barbaric suppression, systematic violations of human rights, export of terrorism and unlawful nuclear projects, negotiations would only help it to buy more time to complete its nuclear weapons program.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
October 31, 2009
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by babooph October 31, 2009 11:01 PM EDT
Odd the US propagandists have not noted where Israels tech-uranium & bomb testing comes from& is done-central control must not allow it yet....
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by ajayvee October 31, 2009 10:05 PM EDT
To those who insist on repeating that Iran has every right to have a peaceful nuclear program and that under International Law Iran can blah, blah, blah..... Let's get this straight: Damn rights and damn International Law, the only factor that counts is the fact that Israel does not want Iran to have a nuclear program, and it is not for America, France or Germany to argue Israel's standpoint, it is for them to obey a direct order from Israel. As humiliating as it may sound, the fact remains that they must obey. That is what "being controlled and knowing it" is all about!
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by vietnamwar October 31, 2009 9:57 PM EDT
UN,US,EU are so stupid and been play like a fool, evey one agree to give peace a chance...heh heheh how long this is been going ?????
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by jwesel1 November 1, 2009 6:24 AM EST
Since Israel started occupying Palestinian lands, i.e. 1949
by dontknowitall October 31, 2009 8:33 PM EDT
Okay. That's it. All Iranian subscriptions to Playboy and Hustler magazines have been cancelled.
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by sean66x October 31, 2009 5:59 PM EDT
Albert Einstein said during the war that Nazis deserved every atomic bomb that America makes. He wanted nuclear blast after nuclear blast to strike targets in Germany, Poland, Italy, and Spain for defending fascism. Albert said he did not care about how much ecological damage occurred in Europe. Is this genius or insanity?
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by mnbrant October 31, 2009 4:56 PM EDT
pretty much don't care if Iran has nukes. As the article says they don't have enough uranium to make that many bombs. One isn't going to make that much of a difference offensively. Probably a ploy to raise our defense spending 50% which is odd because we already spend more on defense than the rest of the world combined.
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by ToolMangler1 October 31, 2009 5:04 PM EDT
if they produce three bombs and let the terrorists know where they are, they will be 'Liberated' by the terrorist in 24 hours of being told. The same people will place them on suicide bombers and smuggle them into America. "That is why 'I' care"!!!!!!
by mnbrant November 1, 2009 7:22 AM EST
how do you strap an atomic bomb to your back? Also we have the technology to stop 3 bombs from anywhere. Thats why they are only good as a defensive weapon for Iran. To stop a massive invasion.
by mick7744 October 31, 2009 2:59 PM EDT
It's time to let the Iranians know once and for all that they are running out of options, and that their diplomatic stalling, constant lying and secret installations can no longer be tolorated.

This terrorist-sponsoring rogue state can never be allowed to become a nuclear power.

Hell...this repressive, mullah-infested regime is even at war with their own people.

We could drop a big one on a different Iranian city every day until they comply with all relevent UN rulings.

We have lots of nukes...how many cities do they have?

Sure...the UN won't like us 'wiping Iran off the map,' but since Iran doesn't give a damn what the UN thinks, says or does, why should we?
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by sean66x October 31, 2009 4:01 PM EDT
Hey mick7744, who needs your raging baboon babble?
by jwesel1 October 31, 2009 4:10 PM EDT
You forgot that under IAEA guidelines, Iran is within its rights to develop nuclear technology. Unless UN charter is changed to different laws for different countries, Iran is under no obligation to stop uranium enrichment.
by natdef_1 October 31, 2009 2:54 PM EDT
Maybe after Obama makes a decision on Afghanistan sometime next year, he can turn his attention to Iran, and perhaps define a course of action on that front during 2011 or 2012.

If it walks like Carter, if it quacks like Carter, guess what (the Iranians figured out already) it MUST BE CARTER!!!

Nice job, Barry O'!
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by luvnrockets-2009 October 31, 2009 1:57 PM EDT
The Iranians are pretty much doing what my kids do when they don't want to do what they're told - they stall; and Iran will stall until the inevitable happens. The diplomacy has been tried (as it should be), the Iranian government has not compromised, and so the world now has no choice but to get tougher - especially in the area of sanctions. I only hope France and Russia both agree with the United States on the right thing to do.
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by 1notrub11 October 31, 2009 1:01 PM EDT
"Boroujerdi, who heads the parliament's National Security Committee, said the priority for Iran was to buy nuclear fuel and hold on to its own uranium. He also said there was no guarantee that Russia or France will keep to the deal and supply nuclear fuel to Iran if Tehran ships them its enriched uranium.

"The preferred option is to buy fuel ... there is no guarantee that they will give us fuel ... in return for enriched uranium. We can't trust the West," ISNA quoted Boroujerdi as saying."

Well, that says it all, doesn't it? Implies they want to get to the fuel now (cover up) and keep the materials on the "enrichment" path. Otherwise, they should offer to trade finished fuel rods for the raw materials in a simultaneous exchange.

Neither side trusts the other, so the Iranian comment regarding not trusting the West is a simple smoke screen.
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by brian1920 October 31, 2009 12:25 PM EDT
Obama is made a fool of once again. How does it feel to have the outstretched hand spit on? Anybody could have seen this coming from miles away. Next up, Obama will be outsmarted again by Putin who will not back any sanctions as he wants the war in the Middle East and $400/b oil.
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by gohan31 October 31, 2009 10:12 AM EDT
Hey Americans that want to leave. We still have the power to vote. He is going to blow the economy, but fear not real democracy is one vote away. Take the country back by voting, not leaving and complaining! I volunteered for the military of USA willing to defend the good AND the bad of US. You should try the same, i.e., the good and bad of America!
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by thesevenveils October 31, 2009 12:18 PM EDT
He is going to blow the economy? He, meaning George Bush already blew the economy. Or haven't you read the news the last eight years?
by jwesel1 October 31, 2009 4:12 PM EDT
Technically yes, he wasn't reading the news, rather watching faux news/misinformation.
by BeckieBest October 31, 2009 9:33 AM EDT
We can whine about Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon all we want but it's innevitable.

Perhaps if we hadn't bankrupted ourselves and stretched our military to the breaking point in Iraq and Afghanistan we'd be able to do something about it.

Thanks Bushies!
Reply to this comment
by hungry1968-17 October 31, 2009 9:53 AM EDT
Right on.

Bush sent our troops into Iraq underfunded, under armored, under armed, and generally under manned, and the terrorists were able to figure out how to defeat our troops during that time, showing the rest of the world how to do it.

We shouldn't have went in to Iraq at all, and we should have put 200,000 - 300,000 in Afghanistan from the start, and ended the war in a few weeks.

Not stuck in a stalemate after 8 years.
by natdef_1 October 31, 2009 2:51 PM EDT
You two are like re-runs of Three's Company. Wasn't that funny then, definitely not funny now.
by ToolMangler1 October 31, 2009 4:57 PM EDT
I am curious!! What would the Mid East look like if America were to wage "TOTAL WARFARE" on it????????

If Iran and the Taliban keep it up, we might just find out....
by mnbrant October 31, 2009 9:09 AM EDT
I guess I don't care about Iran Nukes but do you notice the Attorney General Eric Holder and President Obama not allowing the courts to decide the legality of wireless wiretaps via the patriot act. Pretty obvious the President and Attorney General is turning a jaundiced eye towards the constitution in favor of the patriot act. Pretty obvious that this is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. It's just another dictatorship we live in with a strong man running things. Time to pack your bags and move somewhere sunny where at least they/we do not pretend to be something they/we are not.
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by hungry1968-17 October 31, 2009 9:58 AM EDT
Wrong thread.
by mnbrant October 31, 2009 4:52 PM EDT
there is no thread for that article.
by mnbrant October 31, 2009 8:57 AM EDT
I guess I don't really care about Iran nukes but I notice that Eric Holder dropped a bombshell in the article just above this and you can't even respond to it. The attorny general and the president is prempting the constitution by not even allowing a warrantless wiretap lawsuit to take place in our courts via the patriot act. What are they afraid of??? If you have the scratch its time to pack your bags and move to a more democratic country. Pretty much we are turning into just another dictatorship. Welcome to the New America.
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by ToolMangler1 October 31, 2009 5:10 PM EDT
Read the entire article!!!!! and you can comment on it, I did!!!
by ToolMangler1 October 31, 2009 5:16 PM EDT
mnbrant ! Here is my comment in that thread,



"by ToolMangler1 October 31, 2009 3:33 PM EDT
I have no 'real' problem with Warrantless wiretapping when there is sufficient "OVERSIGHT" and accountability after the fact (within certain time constraints). "Habeas Corpus" must ultimately be proved and parties held accountable for the subsequent actions and consequences of those actions, Anything less is 'un-constitutional'....."
by bubbadubba October 31, 2009 8:54 AM EDT
"The preferred option is to buy fuel ... there is no guarantee that they will give us fuel ... in return for enriched uranium. We can't trust the West," ISNA quoted Boroujerdi as saying."

If you want to buy it, why are you making it? If you want to buy it why would you turn down free fuel?
They can't even lie good any more.
I think the world should go ahead and take them out because it is obvious they are lying and working on nuclear weapons.
The US and Israel CANNOT do this alone, this will have to be a joint operation from the main powers of the world or the results will be a disaster for the US for generations.
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by jwesel1 October 31, 2009 11:01 PM EDT
If you want to buy it, why are you making it? If you want to buy it why would you turn down free fuel?
They can't even lie good any more.
=======================================================================
You need to be in their shoes. Can you trust a foreign country for uninterrupted fuel supply. Iran already has experience with airplane and refinery parts that haven't been delivered despite having paid for.
by sam-kiley October 31, 2009 8:23 AM EDT
bonjour
un plan de refusé dix de trouvés..j'espére qu'ils trouveront le "plan" qui fera le "bonheur" de tous..mdrr...ils sont intelligents et ils savent trés bien que cela évitera au monde des "embargos" et des "guerres" inutiles..
au revoir..alors pas de chichi..au revoir
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by bubbadubba October 31, 2009 8:57 AM EDT
hello
plan refused ten found .. I hope they find the "plan" that will "happiness" of all ... .. they are smart and they know very well that this will save the world "embargoes "and" wars "useless ..
goodbye .. then no fuss .. bye
by jwesel1 October 31, 2009 8:22 AM EDT
People in Iran do know the history. Why run the risk of "delay in shipping and handling" when you can do the job in house.
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