Reuters: Iran says will not abandon atomic rights: TV

[Eugene]

Iran says will not abandon atomic rights: TV

Jul 13, 2006 — TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said
on Thursday Iran would not abandon its right to nuclear technology, in response
to a package backed by six world powers aimed at ending a nuclear standoff
with the West.

"Our answer to the P5+1 package is clear, the Iranian nation abides by international
laws and regulations but will not abandon its obvious right to obtain nuclear
technology," he was quoted as saying by state television.

He also said Iran was ready for talks and repeated that the country would give
its answer to the package by August 22, despite mounting international pressure
for a quicker response.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2186288

Earlier: World powers lose patience with Iran, threaten punishment (CNN)

[bemildred]

1. Again, actually always, they have never said different. nt

[David__77]

2. If they waver on this, they're INVITING war.

Now, Iran is fully within its sovereign rights to develop nuclear power. If they voluntarily surrender their sovereignty, the warmongers will have limitless pretexts to "force compliance" with such an agreement, which on the face of things cannot be legitimate in the first place. Iran is playing this matter correctly. I wish them well in their quest for nuclear power, though I also support the Iranian people's struggle against the reactionary clerical regime.

[cliss]

4. So very, very true.

It truly is Poker on a grand world-class scale...with Bush on one end of the table, and Ahmadinejad on the other side. It's truly amazing to watch.

Iran has NO CHOICE but to stand its ground. Any wavering at this point will invite the hordes....

And didn't little Kim Jong Junior show Bush what it takes? (hint = rogue behavior gets you a pat on the back).

[IndianaGreen]

3. Iran would be better off by getting out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation

Treaty. The Bush regime has used this treaty as a tool to maintain US monopoly on WMDs, at everyone's expense.

We will have to wait for a Democratic President if there are any hopes to reducing WMD stockpiles in the entire world, starting with the US.

[David__77]

8. First point right, second point.... ?

Yes, the NPT is little more than an imperialist club to beat up the third world. It enforces "nuclear blackmail" by the big powers. However, I cannot agree that a Democratic president will fundamentally alter the international WMD situation.

[MrPrax]

5. Atomic rights?

The other thing that enrichment does besides being a possible route to nuclear weapons, it that it makes it much cheaper and more efficient if countries do it themselves as it is needed for the production of nuclear energy. One of the traditional criticism of the NPT is that under the guise of nuclear weapon proliferation, many of those countries are restricted from 'enrichment' so that we can make them dependent on first world refinement.

While the west has been largely brainwashed into the 'weapons' part, they forget that the nuclear plants we want to sell them are much more expensive if they can't do the enrichment themselves. Most people in Third World countries tend to see this type of thing as energy independence, not necessarily a prelude to nuclear weapons...we push the threat in order to keep them energy dependent.

Of course for those countries so annoited by our 'stamp of approval' can be led down the expensive and worthless path of nuclear weapon development for a few more bucks irrespective of the needs of the local populations, which maybe starving.

[GeorgeGist]

6. Defiant Iran threatens to quit nuclear treaty

EHRAN (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned that Tehran could halt UN inspections and quit the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if subjected to increased pressure over its disputed nuclear programme.

The threat came Thursday just hours after world powers referred the crisis back to the Security Council for possible sanctions over a failure by Iran to respond to demands that it suspend work that could lead to the production of nuclear weapons.

"Up to now the Iranian people have acted within the framework of the NPT and the IAEA," the president said in reference to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency.

... http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/060713134350.h69b4vtk.html

[saltpoint]

7. This guy might be tough to manage were it not for Condi's firm hand.