Stand firm on Iran, U.S. urges Europeans

Pascal L. · 22 juli 2004, 18:31

Stand firm on Iran, U.S. urges Europeans

Concerned that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, the United States is urging three European nations to take action against it for violating a nonproliferation pact.
BY GEORGE GEDDA
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The United States is pressing Britain, France and Germany for strong measures against Iran in response to its violating a nonproliferation agreement reached with the three last fall, a State Department official said Wednesday.

The issue is part of a deepening American concern over recent Iranian activities that range from developing weapons programs to terrorism.

The United States believes that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, a view reinforced by Iran's recent decision to resume construction of centrifuges. This is a key step in the development of a uranium-based bomb, one that Iran promised the Europeans last fall that it would not take.

It is not clear what the United States expects the three European Union members to do, but administration believes it is imperative that the three demonstrate to Iran that it must suffer consequences for not fulfilling the agreement.

IRAN DISPUTES CLAIMS

Iran has said it feels no obligation to honor the agreement, alleging that the Europeans had violated a promise to ensure that the U.N. nuclear watchdog group would give Iran a clean bill of health.

Iran insists its nuclear program has nothing to do with weaponry but with meeting domestic electricity needs.

There are other U.S. concerns, including word that the bipartisan commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks has concluded that Iran gave al Qaeda hijackers safe passage through the country after training in Afghanistan.

A White House spokesman said Monday there was no evidence that Iran had prior knowledge of the Sept. 11 plot. The commission report is due out today.

Amid the stepped up accusations about its behavior, Iran has been projecting a benign image to the world. Rend al-Rahim Francke, Iraq's chief representative in Washington, said Monday that Iran has played a positive role in the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. She said Iranian authorities recently captured 200 Afghan fighters headed to Iraq.

PROGRAM A `THREAT'

The Bush administration has been trying to convince all members of the U.N.'s nuclear nonproliferation agency that it is time to refer Iran's nuclear activities to the U.N. Security Council.

John Bolton, undersecretary of state for arms control, told Congress in June that the Iranian program was a ''threat to international peace and security.'' He said Iran's hard-line Islamic regime, now 25 years old, clearly has a covert program to develop and stockpile chemical weapons and probably has a biological weapons program.

Until about a year ago, the United States maintained a low-key dialogue with Iran, then decided it was a waste of time.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...ld/9211393.htm

Raven · 22 juli 2004, 18:40

Alé, Iran is next.

Pascal L. · 22 juli 2004, 18:44

Citaat:

Oorspronkelijk geplaatst door Raven

Alé, Iran is next.

Tja, beloven dat ge geen kernbom gaat ontwikkelen en dan in't geniept produceren

... Het kan verkeren zei Bredero toch (denk ik)

22 juli 2004, 18:31	#1
Pascal L. Gouverneur Geregistreerd: 18 maart 2003 Berichten: 1.033	Stand firm on Iran, U.S. urges Europeans Stand firm on Iran, U.S. urges Europeans Concerned that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons, the United States is urging three European nations to take action against it for violating a nonproliferation pact. BY GEORGE GEDDA Associated Press WASHINGTON - The United States is pressing Britain, France and Germany for strong measures against Iran in response to its violating a nonproliferation agreement reached with the three last fall, a State Department official said Wednesday. The issue is part of a deepening American concern over recent Iranian activities that range from developing weapons programs to terrorism. The United States believes that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, a view reinforced by Iran's recent decision to resume construction of centrifuges. This is a key step in the development of a uranium-based bomb, one that Iran promised the Europeans last fall that it would not take. It is not clear what the United States expects the three European Union members to do, but administration believes it is imperative that the three demonstrate to Iran that it must suffer consequences for not fulfilling the agreement. IRAN DISPUTES CLAIMS Iran has said it feels no obligation to honor the agreement, alleging that the Europeans had violated a promise to ensure that the U.N. nuclear watchdog group would give Iran a clean bill of health. Iran insists its nuclear program has nothing to do with weaponry but with meeting domestic electricity needs. There are other U.S. concerns, including word that the bipartisan commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks has concluded that Iran gave al Qaeda hijackers safe passage through the country after training in Afghanistan. A White House spokesman said Monday there was no evidence that Iran had prior knowledge of the Sept. 11 plot. The commission report is due out today. Amid the stepped up accusations about its behavior, Iran has been projecting a benign image to the world. Rend al-Rahim Francke, Iraq's chief representative in Washington, said Monday that Iran has played a positive role in the post-Saddam Hussein Iraq. She said Iranian authorities recently captured 200 Afghan fighters headed to Iraq. PROGRAM A `THREAT' The Bush administration has been trying to convince all members of the U.N.'s nuclear nonproliferation agency that it is time to refer Iran's nuclear activities to the U.N. Security Council. John Bolton, undersecretary of state for arms control, told Congress in June that the Iranian program was a ''threat to international peace and security.'' He said Iran's hard-line Islamic regime, now 25 years old, clearly has a covert program to develop and stockpile chemical weapons and probably has a biological weapons program. Until about a year ago, the United States maintained a low-key dialogue with Iran, then decided it was a waste of time. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...ld/9211393.htm

22 juli 2004, 18:40	#2
Raven Perm. Vertegenwoordiger VN Geregistreerd: 31 maart 2004 Locatie: Nabij het Reigersnest Berichten: 10.447	Alé, Iran is next. __________________ NEE tegen assimilatie! NEE tegen racisme!