UN hints at talks, not sanctions,

[spindrifter]

as Iran nuclear deadline passes

The Times September 02, 2006

By James Bone in New York

KOFI ANNAN, the UN Secretary-General, begins a controversial visit to Iran today as European powers appeared to back away from immediate sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear programme.

On the eve of his two-day trip, Mr Annan suggested that some powers may be ready to start talks with Iran despite its rejection of the UN deadline of Thursday to halt its uranium enrichment work.

“I know that there are attempts being made to organise a meeting between Iran and the other six players,” Mr Annan said on a stop in Jordan. “Even though the deadline has expired I don’t think the Council is going to act tomorrow.”

<snip>

“We take into account the experience of the past and we cannot ally ourselves with ultimatums, which all lead to a dead end,” Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, said. “Yes, there are countries whose policies cause discontent, but we need to . . . draw them into dialogue, and not isolation and sanctions.”

<snip>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2339139,00.html

[mike_c]

1. Bolton will pop a vein....

:popcorn:

[spindrifter]

2. Heh, Heh, Heh!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Who put the adults in charge?

Instead of the swaggering adolescents like BushCo?

[spindrifter]

4. There might be a chance if they keep

Bolton locked down in the playpen.