News Analysis: Legal basis is elusive for objection to Iran

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/08/10/news/nuke.php

News Analysis: Legal basis is elusive for objection to Iran

By Thomas Fuller International Herald Tribune

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2005


VIENNA Iran's decision to press ahead with its nuclear program puts European leaders in a tough spot: They are trying to stop Tehran from doing something that is technically not illegal.

The seals that Tehran ordered broken Wednesday were installed by United Nations inspectors as part of a voluntary agreement between Iran and the European powers last November. The Iranians now say they have changed their minds because they are frustrated by the pace of negotiations over the scope of their nuclear ambitions. The West, in turn, fears that Iran's real intention is to develop nuclear weaponry.

As a result, European diplomats here are scrambling to find ways to pressure Tehran into resuming the suspension of a nuclear program that is recognized by the International Atomic Energy Agency as following the rules.

This ongoing legalistic battle masks more fundamental questions: Does Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil exporter, really need nuclear power plants? What are Iran's true intentions? And how effective is the UN system in monitoring the country's nuclear program?

"The legal case is somewhat thin against Iran," said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that researches nuclear issues.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. That's OK, bolton will press for some extra vague

UN resolutions that will be interpreted as a green light legal case to turn the whole place to glass.

[bribri16]

2. When will they get it through their head that these people are smarter

than the twits running our government? they know international law because they at least read it.

[struggle4progress]

3. kick

[VegasWolf]

4. When did legality ever concern Bush? nt