US eyes weekend deadline for Iran in nuclear showdown

[defendandprotect]

Source: AP

US eyes weekend deadline for Iran in nuclear showdown by Lachlan Carmichael
Fri Aug 1, 5:12 PM ET



WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Friday reaffirmed a weekend deadline for Iran to answer an international offer to freeze its nuclear drive and warned of new sanctions if it rejects the package.

During a visit to Washington, Israel's deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz warned meanwhile that Iran was playing for time in dealing with the world community and was heading for a "major breakthrough" in its nuclear capability.

The US State Department had been vague about the deadline for Iran to reply to the offer but narrowed it down on Friday.

"We want and we expect a response this weekend," the State Department's acting spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos told reporters. "They were given two weeks. The two weeks is up this weekend."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had given Iran two weeks to come up with a "serious" reply after an international meeting in Geneva on July 19 which saw Tehran broadly accused of stonewalling.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino warned: "Negative consequences await if they don't have a positive response to our very generous incentives package, and that would possibly come in the form of sanctions."

Perino also said it was difficult to discern Iranian intentions, calling them "a little bit unpredictable" as she spoke to reporters in Kennebunkport, Maine.

"The Iranians sent mixed messages this week and it's very hard to tell what the bottom line is," Perino said.

Perino said the United States would coordinate any action with its partners in the P5-plus-1, or the permanent UN Security Council members -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France -- plus Germany.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080801/pl_afp/irannuclearpolitics

[pinto]

1. Our European partners are a little more realistic. This dance may need some time to play out.

After meeting Iran's negotiator in Geneva, Solana asked for a response in two weeks, but "if it's in 16 days instead of 14 it's not a problem. We are not obsessed with a date," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

(aside) I trust the AFP to have some reliable European sources, fwiw.

[bemildred]

2. EU gives Iran more time for nuclear reply

BRUSSELS - The clock is ticking for Iran to respond to an offer by major powers on its nuclear programme, but European diplomats say they are ready to wait a few more days beyond Saturday's informal deadline for an answer.

Major powers asked Iran on July 19 to respond within two weeks to their offer to hold off from imposing more U.N. sanctions if Tehran froze expansion of its nuclear work. Iran has dismissed the idea of having a deadline to reply.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana - who leads nuclear talks with Iran for the six major powers - will not declare Iran has missed the deadline if it does not reply by Saturday, EU diplomats said, but the West wants a reply in the next week.

You don't call, you don't write, what am I a potted plant?

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=24183d21-7c42-4d04-ab3e-882c4c45ecc9

[Deny and Shred]

3. Missing dealines, like when you're subpoenaed to testify to Congress

Iran has been sending mixed messages!?!? Holy Hypocrisy, Batman.
The NIE (a U.S. document) was adamant about the lack of weaponization. I love how they can just blow that stuff off.
The White House, Dana included, lives in their own little dream world, much like I imagine the scheming was like at Berchtesgaden.

[Tab]

4. No one's giving us the benefit of the doubt this time around

According to Bush, political capital is to be used. Perhaps. But he's squandered his. No one's giving him a blank check this time, and if he does it anyway, I dare Nancy to say 'impeachment's off the table". If she goes along with it, they should both be impeached, imho.