Iran threatens to end nuclear cooperation

[ECH1969]

Iran threatened Friday to end surprise inspections and other cooperation with the U.N. nuclear watchdog if it is referred to the U.N. Security Council over its nuclear program, and the president vowed his country won't be intimidated by sanctions.

Iran's tough line came as Europe and the United States were trying to build support for hauling Iran before the Security Council. They faced resistance from China, which warned the move could only escalate the confrontation.

In Washington, President Bush and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged U.N. intervention. The world needs to "send a common message to Iran that their behavior ... is unacceptable," Bush said.

An end to U.N. inspections would be a dramatic breakdown in the already faltering diplomatic attempts at reining in Iran's nuclear ambitions. The United States and many in Europe fear Iran aims to develop nuclear weapons.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-01-14-iran-cooperation_x.htm

[NanceGreggs]

1. Memo to Bush:

The world has "sent you a common message that your behavior is unacceptable" time and time again. YOU don't listen - why should anybody else?

[derby378]

2. Well, uh, gee, now, you don't suppose...

...that maybe our little tiny occupation of Iraq might have had anything to do with this little development?!?

[BrainRants]

3. And uh ya think the time is right for N. Korea to start squakin' again?

Not that ANYONE could have imagined they might do this if we got bogged down in Iraq.

Fuckin' Idiots from the top down I tell ya!

Worst President Ever.

[teryang]

4. The Russians and Chinese are not going to go along

Fortunately for the average American. Sanctions on Iran make no sense at all and would drive world oil prices up significantly and cause the substantial economic slowdown that no one wants to see.

[HuffleClaw]

5. good for them

its not like that ANYTHING they do will make one bit of difference, bush will attack them. nothing will stop him in his march to war. nothing.