Uncertainty remains over Iran’s uranium exchange plans
Published: 31 October, 2009, 14:50
Edited: 01 November, 2009, 22:39
TAGS: Nuclear, Russia, Ukraine, Middle East, Politics, Europe
The plan to get Iran to ship its nuclear fuel abroad for enrichment has been dealt a blow by Tehran's lawmakers.
They have reportedly rejected the UN-backed proposals, which were hammered out in Vienna on October 21 along with Russia, France and the US. The plan would require Iran to send 70% of its low-enriched uranium to Russia in one batch by the end of the year.
Two days after the Vienna talks, Moscow, Paris and Washington declared their approval of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s plan; and on Thursday the IAEA said it got a “preliminary response” from Iran.
On Friday, however, Iranian news agency IRNA, quoting an unnamed governmental source, reported that Tehran’s message did not contain a response to the IAEA plan. The source says Iran will give its stance on the issue during further nuclear talks.
According to the Associated Press, a senior Iranian senior lawmaker has said he disapproves of the idea of shipping nuclear fuel to other countries, as there are no guarantees that Iran will get it back.
And on Saturday, AFP reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that it is difficult for his country to trust Western powers when it comes to negotiations.
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Nothing new here - Iran and the West simply don't trust each other. However, reading between the lines, Iran now seems to be suspicious of Russia too. This may be justified - afterall how much of the delay with commisioning Bushehr were the Russians responsible for, and haven't the Iranians already paid for the first batch of S300's (which also seem to be 'delayed')? Maybe they are concerned Russia, not just France (who are supposed to be producing the fuel rods) may 'delay' returning their nuclear material?
This iranian atomic situation proof how big is the gap between the little peoples (or little countries) and those who pretend to be the leaders of mankind. Since, in those super-powers, the brains have been replaced by cash-registers, we have reached the following evidence: Human society is sick from top to bottom and not the other way around. Consequently, the elites bad examples have gangrened the whole humanity...In previous comments (over 100), I had express the wish that Russia dissolidarise herself from that insane World's governance and with the help of other BRIC states initiate something-else. It does not seem to be the case. Cynical poker-players type american politicians seems to be a lot more efficient than russians dreamers' chess-playeurs politicians. Sorry Future Generations; you will appreciate the consequences...Sinceely. Jean-Claude Meslin