Report: Russians pressuring Iran re nuke program
posted at 11:51 am on August 7, 2007 by Bryan
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If true, this would be a good thing. If it’s true. And if it’s not just a move by Putin to remind the Iranians who is boss.
Moscow has warned Iran that it will not deliver fuel to a nearly completed Russian-built nuclear reactor unless Tehran lifts the veil of secrecy on suspicious past atomic activities, a European diplomat said Tuesday.
Separately, a U.S. official told the Associated Press that the Russians are not meeting other commitments that would allow the Iranians to activate the Bushehr nuclear reactor, and suggested the delays were an attempt to pressure Tehran into showing more compliance with U.N. Security Council demands. Both men demanded anonymity in exchange for speaking to the AP because their information was confidential.
The increased Russian pressure comes at a time Iran already appears to be ready to compromise on a key international request — that it lift its shroud of secrecy over past activities that heightened suspicions it might be looking to develop a nuclear arms program.
Russia would be reneging on a 2005 deal to fuel the Bushehr plant. The Iranians, meanwhile, are sending their usual mix of signals designed to delay and misdirect even while they display defiance.
Russian and to a lesser extent China are the key to halting Iran’s nuke program peacefully, always have been, just as China is the key to ending the genocide in Darfur (and any call to take action in Darfur that doesn’t include heavy lifting with and by the Chinese isn’t serious). Both Russia and China play double games using the UNSC as their bulwark, with a long-range goal of reducing US influence and effectiveness in the world.
I don’t know what Putin’s up to with these moves regarding Iran’s nuclear program, but we can probably count on finding him doing something nefarious elsewhere as he’s making a show of being helpful vis a vis Iran. That’s just how things seem to work these days.
Update: Perhaps all of this is just a distraction from Iran’s real issue — the naked handshake scandal.
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Have you ever intentionally let someone overhear a conversation just so what they heard is what you wanted them to hear, not only what you said but the responce to you?
I’ve done that to customers with other reps back in the day.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 7, 2007 at 12:01 PM
I realize what I just posted may have not been all that clear. So, I give to you an example:
Putin: Now don’t you be putting that nuke stuff in that plant there.
Dinnerjacket: But I want to!
Putin: I told you no, buddy!
Dinnerjacket: Fine! I won’t do it until you tell me too.
(they both look around, then lean in)
Dinnerjacket: (whispers) I’m still suposed to fuel the plant right?
Putin: (whispers) Of course you are. The media will report that you stopped production and buy us more time.
- The Cat
MirCat on August 7, 2007 at 12:05 PM
People are going to think I’m crazy, but I don’t care because they always have.
I LIKE PUTIN.
I think Putin is the greatest leader on the planet today. America needs a leader like Putin. Putin doesn’t cave in just to make people of other countries like him. Putin does what he thinks is best for Russia.
Do I agree with everything he has done? NO. But I understand the things he does.
After the fall of the USSR, they needed help. The USA was so busy patting themselves on the back for ‘beating the commies’, we neglected to recognize the humanitarian need in the country. There were reports that teachers were paid in vodka because they had no money.
This is my biggest problem with the Clinton administration (though I’m certain it was influenced by long held issues within the Pentagon against helping the Russians). We wasted a golden opportunity to become close allys with the only remaining hyper power on the planet by giving them humanitarian aid and helping their new capitalistic economy succeed.
Putin came in and did what they needed. I don’t like that he nationalised oil, but I understand why he did. I don’t like that he sells nuclear stuff to Iran, but I understand why he does. I do like how he handled and is handling the Chechnya situation though he gets a lot of grief from our state department. He did what he had to do.
Putin is a great leader. America needs someone like Putin in the whitehouse. Not necessarily to nationalise things, but someone who will do what is necessary for AMERICAN interests without regard to who it offends or what country may or may not approve.
ThackerAgency on August 7, 2007 at 12:30 PM
For what it’s worth, two articles today on Putin and what he’s up to:
From Debka file (questionable site)
From American Thinker
JiangxiDad on August 7, 2007 at 12:36 PM
I still believe that the real “Red Line” with Iran is Basheir. Once Iran gets a full size nuclear reactor that goes hot its game over on the military option. Any strike on Iranian WMD after that would have to include the reactor resulting in a man made Chernobyl. There is NO US president today or tomorrow that will sign off on such action.
Iran knows this (why they are rushing pushing as hard as possible to get that thing lit) Russia knows this (why they are dragging their feet and extorting all they can along the way from all parties concerned) the US knows this (why our major military buildups have been around the time of planned nuke material deliveries via Russia to Basheir.
Some historical perspective:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osirak
As far as Putin’s/Russia’s motives thou I think that revolves around maximum extortion of both sides involved.
C-Low on August 7, 2007 at 12:39 PM
I don’t think you are crazy. I grudgingly admire the man – he is certainly willing to do whatever it takes to secure Russia’s interests.
And I’m with C-Low here: “As far as Putin’s/Russia’s motives thou I think that revolves around maximum extortion of both sides involved.”
Spirit of 1776 on August 7, 2007 at 1:14 PM
c-low
the leftwingers and other socialists in europe would undoubtably scream and shout over an unplanned release in iran. but inactuality they would not really be damaged that much. (from fallout, probably very strong damage to their bankers pockets but thats another story)
however its the gang thats down wind that has the really bad worries. look up on the weather stuff just where the jet stream flows.
as far as the fallout hitting china, the russians and chinese have fought “minor wars” between each other various places on their common borders in the past and only our military and cia new about it.
C
pk on August 7, 2007 at 1:23 PM
He certainly stuck up for the Christians in Serbia much better than we did.
PRCalDude on August 7, 2007 at 3:33 PM
Of course it comes down to money, it always does, but I wonder if the Rooskies understand that, when Iran produces nuclear weapons [thanks to the Rooskies], maybe, just maybe, one will be made available to the Chechens, for use in, say, Moscow?
But, again, it’s all about money – not reality.
OhEssYouCowboys on August 7, 2007 at 4:52 PM
Agreed. Putin’s playing a dangerous game. It’s a sort of Nazi-Soviet pact redux.
aengus on August 7, 2007 at 7:18 PM
A pity the USA had a CINC in 1999 who needed to attack a nation that had not lifted a finger against its neighbours, let alone the USA, in order to zip his fly. Had five additional senators voted to remove clinton from office, that war would not have happened.
Texas Nick 77 on August 8, 2007 at 1:25 AM
It’s simple. They stop iran and we don’t put in the missle shield over there. There won’t be any need for a shield. Everybody’s interests are served. BTW, putin is a kbg thug, nothing more. He, like everybody else, only has a self serving interest.
Volpe on August 8, 2007 at 9:20 AM
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