Iranian official: We may recognize Israel

[Scurrilous]

Top nuclear scientist also says Tehran 'playing with international community but will stop when it senses rope has been pulled too far'


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3246312,00.html

<snip>

"An Iranian scientist involved with the country's nuclear program claimed his country could recognize Israel in several of years, Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday.

"Iran may recognize Israel in a number of years," Dr. Rahman Garmanpoor, a manager of the Iranian nuclear program, told the Italian newspaper Il Giornale.

"Some of our society believes that we must be neutral, but the policies of the new president Ahmadinejad and his warring statements are tied to internal politics. This is a new government, that must consolidate its power," he said.

Dr. Garmanpoor, 35, said that his government is 'playing' with the international community, but that it would stop doing so the minute it felt it had pulled the rope too far.

"It's enough for the West to recognize Tehran's right to hold a nuclear research lab in order for Iran to declare its readiness to end nuclear development and return to negotiations," said Garmanpoor."

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Too bad BushCo didn't cooperate

with the more moderate government that was in place when he took office.

Instead he turned his back and ingored them while more radical leaders cames to power.

[leveymg]

2. "his warring statements are tied to internal politics"

A lot of that seems to be going around.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Yes, they need to keep their so called President QUIET!

Then maybe there will be some glimmer of hope for diplomacy.

[leveymg]

6. Well, if we can't, what makes you think the Iranians will be able to?

There's a synergistic relationship here. Our war-mongering religious fanatic justifies theirs, which justifies Israel's, which justifies Iran's, and around and around it goes.

Seems to me that Regime Change at home is a good place for us to start. Less chance of nuclear fallout.

[hezekkia]

16. I really wish I had a solution to the Iran problem

I really am at a loss for a positive solution that won't lead to Israel's decimation.

[Bridget Burke]

8. And we need to keep OUR so called President quiet....

Hmmm.... Perhaps we could send them both on a long trip--on a slow boat. I hear Easter Island is pretty this time of year.

[0007]

14. I think we should start with our so called President of the United States

I sure don't see junior striving for peace in the Middle East like Clinton.

[Ian David]

4. You know what would be a good alternative energy for Iran?

Solar.

I hear it's very warm and sunny there.

[The Stranger]

15. I hear it is sunny THROUGHOUT the Middle East.

So solar would work in every country there.

[enigma000]

5. if you believe this, I've got this bridge I'm selling cheap n/t

[On the Road]

10. Why Wouldn't Iran Recognize Israel?

If they believed their survival depended on it, it's an attractive option.

Iran's relationship with Arabs in general is pretty strained. They might make an under-the-table nonaggression pact in order to avoid an Israeli strike.

[enigma000]

11. it goes against everything that the Islamic Republic stands for

what does Iran want? A reestablished caliphate perhaps (under Shia leadership? That could get ugly)

Recognizing Israel would be like Nazi Germany letting Jews assume government leadership positions, like Soviet Russia opening a stock market, like the US reinstating slavery. It is contrary to the whole point of their world-views.

[On the Road]

12. It *Does* Go Against Everything They Stand for

but countries will do surprising things when their survival is threatened or to gain other political goals. The Taliban made agreements with the US. The Soviets signed a nonaggression pact with the Nazis, then allied themselves with the US, Britain, and France. For that matter, Egypt signed a major treaty with the Israelis and the PLO made deep concessions in its position on Israel in order to govern the West Bank and Gaza.

I do think that Iran is testing the international community to see how far it can go. It may overstep itself and have to take drastic measures to prevent invasion or a massive air assault. Recognizing Israel would be offensive, but by no means unthinkable.

Ahmadinejad himself seems to be a loose cannon, but the mullahs still hold most of the political power. If they think he's committing national suicide, they'll pull back on the reins.

[hadrons]

7. "An Iranian scientist ...."

sorry, but I don't believe a 35 year old scientist, even the manager of the Iranian nuclear program, has all that much say in Iranian policy

[Bridget Burke]

9. I don't think he' s policy maker...

But he was allowed to speak out. Since he's a relatively young, he may represent the next generation coming to power in Iran. There is hope for the future.

[robcon]

13. The chances of Iran recognizing Israel are zero.

That would be the denial of their whole reason for being... that the great satans of the U.S. and Israel must be crushed.

[NJ Democrats]

17. I highly doubt this

The chances are about 1 in a trillion or higher. There is no way, these two countries are enemies. Why would the President of iran, who has made all those remarks about Israel go and recognize them? It ain't happening.

[Solon]

18. People seem to forget that by the late 1990s, a huge moderation movement..

that centered on Democratization was very popular in Iran. Most of the young people are sick and tired of rule by mullahs, hell, they protested against them. They even were able to get a moderate president in, unfortunately, the Mullahs thought the reforms were happening too quickly, and started consolidating power again. Not to mention that the United States was popular with the majority of Iran's population before Bush came into office, now look at what he has wrought, another opportunity down the tubes because of Bush's incompetence.