Neither Iran, North Korea blinking

[NNN0LHI]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002428680_nukes09.html

VIENNA, Austria — Both regimes are suspected of running covert nuclear-weapons programs. Both are increasingly defiant, accusing Western envoys of meddling in what they insist is their right to develop peaceful nuclear technology.

By refusing to blink or budge, Iran and North Korea have the international community scrambling to cool and contain two high-stakes cases of nuclear brinksmanship — one in the Middle East, the other on the Korean peninsula.

"Clearly, these issues are reaching critical stages at the same time," said Terence Taylor, an expert on weapons of mass destruction who runs the Washington office of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "You're seeing the limits of treaties and diplomatic activities."

Despite the similarities between the two cases, the West is approaching them differently — asking Iran to merely limit its nuclear activities in exchange for economic incentives, while insisting that North Korea drop even its civilian nuclear-power program. snip

Developing countries on the IAEA board, led by South Africa, Brazil and Argentina, fear the attempt to force Iran to give up sensitive nuclear activities could one day be used against their own nuclear programs — and therefore object to it.

[ixion]

1. And just how did that get started? When Clinton left office, N,.K. was

getting ready to open their borders for the first time in decades.

But thanks to BushCo, there's a new arms race. :grr:

[ClintonTyree]

2. That's what happens when you ignore things........

that NEED to be addressed and act on things that DON'T, like Iraq. Like that Presidential Daily Briefing that told bush, "Bin Laden determined to strike inside the U.S." Of course the time, date and place of the attack were missing, so how could they EVER HAVE KNOWN? :eyes: So, they ignored it. We all know how that turned out.

Yes, the ever vigilant bushies are keeping their eyes peeled alright, the direction they're watching is completely wrong though.

[SouthernDem2004]

7. Actually, no... NK was a rouge nation even then. The started violating

the 1994 treaty before the ink dried.

[NNN0LHI]

8. You are probably right

That is the difference between us and N. Korea. When we sign a treaty we live up to them dammit.

Just ask the Native Americans if you don't believe me.

Don

[hobbit709]

3. Iraq taught the world a lesson

But it wasn't the one the neocons wanted to teach.

[salib]

4. Good grief

Talk about setting the parameters of debate!

Just the first sentence of this article is FULL of double-speak and false comparisons and allegations:

"Both regimes are suspected of running covert nuclear-weapons programs." -- B.S.! North Korea is outright stating it has produced weapons material and weapons themselves. Iran is saying it is enriching, but not for weapons purposes. VERY different and both probably very up-front about it all. Hardly "suspected"!

"Both are increasingly defiant," -- B.S.! Both have been defiant from the beginning. They are simply not backing down, but have always been will to "discuss" the issues.

"accusing Western envoys of meddling in what they insist is their right to develop peaceful nuclear technology." B.S., as far as North Korea is concerned.

So many errors throughout. Does anyone edit these papers anymore?

[AlamoDemoc]

5. You are absolutely correct

first off, The Seattle Times took the article from the AP, secondly if you read the entire article closely you will notice that the author's complete disregard of the truth here

again, in terms of threats both countries face externally, the article mentions N. Korea, and mentions nothing about Iran's real concerns in the region.


"North Korea's motivations are clearer— its army faces hundreds of thousands of South Korean and U.S. troops across the border, and for years North Korea's leaders were convinced they faced the threat of an American invasion."

[teryang]

6. N. Korea's issue is peaceful use of nuclear power

They have an inadequate electrical grid and need more electricity for irrigation and industrial production. This always was the issue. The terms of the 1994 Agreed Framework focused on legitimate energy needs of N.Korea and promised construction of two light water reactors and delivery of hundreds of tons of fuel oil. We renegged on the first as soon as bush usurped office. The second followed after the North Koreans reopened the Yongban reactor in reaction to the US breach of the agreement.

[NNN0LHI]

9. Iran to Continue Playing with Plutonium

http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s3i8810

TEHRAN (Wreuters) - Iran's new President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday the Islamic Republic "Thumbs its nose at the E.U. and U.S. and plans to continue playing with plutonium." Ahmadinejad continues, "Pressing our luck is the Iranian way." "The US didn't spank us for ransacking their embassy, so, WHAT ME WORRY?"

Apparently oblivious to U.S. President Bush's "Invade now, and Find the WMDs later" approach, the former Tehran mayor said his foreign policy seeks to reduce international threats. "Believe me, once we have the bomb, we ain't gonna take no dis{respect} from nobody in this 'hood.

The possibility of a pre-emptive nuclear strike by the U.S. or Israel against fuel enrichment facilities apparently hadn't crossed Ahmadinejad's mind.

"The Iranian nation cannot be intimidated" claimed Ahmadinejad, seemingly unaware of the chaos, starvation, and utter disorder in Iraq and Afghanistan, neighboring states which previously chose to thumb their nose at the world's pre-eminent superpower.

"We're offering them Door #1 and Door #2, but if they keep pushing, we'll show them what's behind Door #3, and it's a sky full of B-52 bombers" said an unnamed Pentagon spokesperson.