Iran sets terms for UN nuclear checks (from Al Jazeera)

[freefall]

This is Iran's response to France's concerns that it was pursuing nuclear capability. It is over 12 hours old or I would have posted to LBN.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A5D7659F-80CF-4098-AE57-103DB691D88E.htm

Iran sets terms for UN nuclear checks

Friday 17 February 2006, 19:29 Makka Time, 16:29 GMT

Iran is ready to ask its parliament to ratify an accord allowing UN inspectors to resume snap checks of its nuclear facilities on certain conditions, Iran's embassy in Paris said on Friday.

The Iranian statement, which came the day after France accused Iran of pursuing a secret military nuclear programme, sketched out a three-stage process to end a standoff with the international community over Iran's nuclear programme.

Ratification of the Additional Protocol of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which gives the UN nuclear watchdog greater powers to inspect suspected nuclear facilities, has been a key demand made of Tehran by Western nations.

Iran, which began implementing the protocol in 2003, but has never presented it to lawmakers for ratification, stopped applying it this month after the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) voted to report Tehran to the UN Security Council.

snip - more at link

Peace

freefall

[MadisonProgressive]

1. I wonder how chimp will try to derail this

[freefall]

2. Found another link. The "offer was rejected by a senior US official."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/3668819.html

It's from the Houston Chronicle quoting the NYT:


"Feb. 18, 2006, 1:51AM
Iran offers to permit nuclear spot checks
But U.S. rejects proposal that still allows nation to enrich uranium

New York Times

WASHINGTON - A senior Iranian envoy, making a new bid to resolve the impasse over his country's nuclear program, was quoted Friday as saying Iran would allow the resumption of spot international inspections of its nuclear facilities if it could continue limited uranium enrichment.

But the offer was dismissed by a senior U.S. official.

The Iranian offer appeared to be addressed to a demand from Britain, France and Germany that Iran ratify an additional protocol of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty that would allow for surprise inspections.

<snip>

The offer came in a statement from the Iranian Embassy in Paris, according to Reuters News Service."

<more at link>

You can bet the administration will knock down every diplomatic initiative Iran makes. After all, you can't preemptively attack them if you are engaged in diplomacy.


:scared: :scared:

Peace

freefa;;