Iran ends cooperation with UN nuclear arms probe

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

VIENNA, Austria - Iran signaled Thursday that it will no longer cooperate with U.N. experts probing for signs of clandestine nuclear weapons work, confirming the investigation is at a dead end a year after it began.

The announcement from Iranian Vice President Gholam Reza Aghazadeh compounded skepticism about denting Tehran's nuclear defiance, just five days after Tehran stonewalled demands from six world powers that it halt activities capable of producing the fissile core of warheads.

Besides demanding a suspension of uranium enrichment — a process that can create both fuel for nuclear reactors and payloads for atomic bombs — the six powers have been pressing Tehran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency's probe.

Iran, which is obligated as a signer of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty not to develop nuclear arms, raised suspicions about its intentions when it admitted in 2002 that it had run a secret atomic weapons program for nearly two decades in violation of its commitment.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080724/ap_on_re_mi_ea/nuclear_iran;_

[awoke_in_2003]

1. They sure do a good job

of shooting themselves in the foot.

[bemildred]

2. This story seems to be complete bullshit. nt

[Megahurtz]

3. That wouldn't be a surprise. n/t

[readmoreoften]

8. I read two weeks ago that the IAEA said that Iran's program seemed to be in total compliance.

I'll look for that link later. It was a passing read and might take some time.

Good god, I don't know what to believe. I don't trust either side, but considering the path to Iraq and Iran's lack of "sudden" motive for WMDs, I'm going to err on the side of total skepticism.

[struggle4progress]

4. Iran-IAEA talks open in Austria

Posted: 2008/07/24
From: MNN

The two senior officials are to discuss Iran's nuclear case and outcomes of Tehran's latest talks with the Group 5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany) over its nuclear standoff with the West.

Iran's top nuclear negotiator and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Saeed Jalili and the EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana held nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 19.

The US Undersecretary of State William Burns, the third-highest US diplomat, was also present in the meeting in a major shift from a long-standing policy. --IRNA

http://mathaba.net/news/?x=599629

[struggle4progress]

5. Iran's Atomic Energy Chief: 'Hopeful' for Substantial Negotiations on Nuclear Issue

By VOA News
24 July 2008

Iran's atomic energy chief says he hopes international negotiations on Iran's nuclear program could start based on proposals made by Iran and six major world powers.

Gholam Reza Aghazadeh - who is also Iran's vice president - Thursday said he is "very hopeful" that the two sides' different positions will merge, allowing for substantial negotiations.

Aghazadeh made his comments after meeting with the International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei in Vienna. The IAEA says Iran is withholding details on its sensitive nuclear activities ...

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-07-24-voa51.cfm

[struggle4progress]

6. Iran says nuclear talks can solve wider Mideast problems

VIENNA (AFP) — Iranian Vice President Reza Aghazadeh said Thursday that negotiations with world powers on its nuclear programme could be used to resolve wider Middle East problems from Iraq to oil prices.

"If the negotiations get under way, then solutions could be found for many problems like Iraq, Lebanon or fuel prices," said Aghazadeh, also the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation.

He spoke to reporters after his meeting in Vienna with Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency, a week after Tehran lodged its latest proposals with world powers in Geneva.

The New York Times published Tuesday what it said was an informal document outlining Iran's strategy, calling for seven more rounds of talks, stressing the need for an end to sanctions, and making no mention of an incentives package offered by six world powers in exchange for a suspension of uranium enrichment by the Islamic republic ...

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hY9bEWWpOL1q9rb7P7sg70JxuCeA

[struggle4progress]

7. Iran official hopes new talks can begin

Thu Jul 24, 2008 4:28pm BST

... The Geneva talks ended in stalemate on Saturday with the major powers giving Iran two weeks to answer calls to rein in its nuclear programme, which the West says is intended to produce nuclear bombs, or face tougher sanctions.

The six powers have offered Iran economic and other incentives in return for its suspending uranium enrichment.

But prospects of ending a row that has triggered regional tensions and rattled oil markets looked dim as Iran's top nuclear negotiator insisted in Geneva Tehran would not even discuss a demand to freeze uranium enrichment.

But Gholamreza Aghazadeh, who is also Iran's vice president, said on Thursday: "Both sides have received the messages of the other side and are carefully studying the concerns and expectations of both sides" ...

http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKL492734620080724

[creeksneakers2]

9. A very stupid move by Iran

Unless they really are planning to build nuclear weapons and are trying to hide it. This greatly strengthens the hands of those who say Iran will build nuclear weapons and negotiations will be fruitless.