Iran Threatens Full-Scale Enrichment

[ECH1969]

Iran upped the ante Monday in its nuclear standoff, warning that it will immediately begin developing a full-scale uranium enrichment program if it is referred to the U.N. Security Council.

The message, delivered by Ali Asghar Soltaniyeh, Iran's senior envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, reflected Tehran's defiance in the face of growing international pressure over its nuclear program.

While the Europeans believe they have enough votes to get Iran hauled before the council Feb. 2, they want broad support, including from key developing countries as well as skeptics Russia and China.

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said "referral absolutely has to be made" on Feb. 2, while remaining vague on what action the Security Council would take and when.

http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/2006/01/23/ap/headlines/d8fao02o4.txt

[sarcasmo]

1. Iran pushing the envelope, must have some backing from China.

[HuffleClaw]

2. china and russia have already said NO

this 'push for a resolution' is a complete sham.

[54anickel]

3. Poor El Baradei - he's got to be chomping on a lot of Tums these days.

Condi sure is a stickler for that Feb. date, the regularly scheduled IAEA meeting of March 6 just ain't soon enough for her. Like a month is really gonna make a difference here, unless of course they are trying to beat the opening of the Iranian Oil Bourse.

There was another article that gave a clearer explaination of ElBaradei's timeline. I'll see if I can track it down.

on edit:
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2006-01-23T195413Z_01_L23429838_RTRUKOC_0_US-NUCLEAR-IRAN.xml

snip>

Western powers have urged IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei to make a broad accounting of Tehran's nuclear project to the special IAEA meeting they called for February, rather than wait for a regularly scheduled March 6 session.

U.S. and EU officials believe a full report would help them persuade skeptical Russia, China and developing states on the IAEA board to vote at the February gathering for referral.

But ElBaradei, replying to U.S., EU and Australian letters, said he had given Iran until the March meeting to answer questions in IAEA inquiries into its nuclear project, which it concealed from U.N. inspectors for almost two decades.

snip>

Diplomats close to the IAEA say ElBaradei disagrees with the Western thrust for referral now, believing further direct talks with Iran and IAEA investigations could still rein in Tehran before a volatile showdown in the Security Council.

[Poll_Blind]

4. Iran likley has a...

...vested interest in seeing how South the U.S. can make things go....

PB

[MrPrax]

5. Oh get to the punchline...

or just shut up Condi...everyone else is two steps ahead...

[IsItJustMe]

6. Anyone doubt Iran is the next target for USA military action

About a month ago I saw a very predictive news piece on Democracy Now about how Bush was planning for war with Iran.

According to the report, the planning has been going on for some time and spoke of the steps the Bush administration would take before the action.

It's chilling and happening right now

[mogster]

7. The link in OP is dysfunctional n/t