NYC Letter: "Crise Internationale" ! Proposez Une Réunion ! Proposez Une Autre Réunion !

Iran insinuates itself into the nuclear bomb club. What can be done? Quick, DITHER!

IRAN PROVOKES AN INTERNATIONAL CRISIS: FRANCE

PARIS August 8, 2005 (AFP) - Iran's resumption of nuclear activities Monday has created a "grave crisis" that requires a united response from the international community, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said.

"I call on Iran to listen to the voice of reason and to return to fully respecting the Paris accord" struck last November which set the framework for the trade package and the suspension of Iran's nuclear activities, he said.

"The international community will react and will decide the response to give," he told AFP. "I hope it will be united in the face of this grave crisis deliberately provoked by Iran."

The next day M. Douste-Blazy has another idea:

'STILL POSSIBLE TO NEGOTIATE' WITH IRAN: FRANCE

BIARRITZ, France August 9, 2005 (AFP) - "It is still possible to negotiate" with Iran on its nuclear activities, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Tuesday ... "We are still holding out our hand," he told journalists. ... "We are hoping that we can find a joint solution to keep the positive spirit of the Paris accords," he said.

Are the Iranians familiar with the limp French hand held out? It can usually be found in the same pocket as one's wallet or grasping with effeminate might the hilt of the knife in one's back.

Strong meat from the UN. This stuff is sure to pull the Iranians up short.

IRAN MAY DRAW REBUKE OVER NUKE ACTIVITIES

VIENNA, Austria August 10, 2005 (AP) - The U.N. nuclear watchdog postponed a meeting Wednesday so diplomats could seek consensus over how to rebuke Iran for resuming activities that could lead to an atomic weapon...

International Atomic Energy Agency board members were seeking to persuade Iran to reimpose a voluntary suspension of uranium conversion and enrichment. They have the authority to report Iran to the U.N. Security Council, which could trigger punitive sanctions, but there was no talk of that at an emergency meeting of the agency's 35-nation board.

Signaling how difficult it was for delegates to agree on the best response to Tehran's decision to restart uranium conversion, board members canceled a session tentatively planned for Wednesday afternoon. It was unclear when the meeting would resume.

"They need more time," IAEA spokesman Peter Rickwood said.

Can't just rush into a discussion about discussing the possibility of a rebuke. Just not done. These discussions require seating charts, sharpened No.2s, and attending to dozen of catering details.

IRAN BREAKS UN NUCLEAR SEALS

August 10, 2005 (Guardian) - The UN's nuclear watchdog today confirmed that its seals at an Iranian nuclear facility had been broken.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervised the cutting of seals at the uranium conversion plant in the southern city of Isfahan, but a spokeswoman for the agency said this should in no way be seen as an endorsement of their removal.

The IAEA springs into action! What nation can withstand its withering urging!

IRAN URGED TO RE-SUSPEND URANIUM ENRICHMENT

August 11, 2005 (Guardian) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution this afternoon, expressing "serious concern" over Iran's decision to resume its uranium enrichment programme.

The resolution urges Iran "to re-establish full suspension of all enrichment related activities", indicating western fears that Iran could be intent on producing atomic weapons. Tehran has always maintained it was restarting the enrichment programme to produce fuel.

But the resolution does not mention referring Iran to the UN security council, which has the power to impose sanctions, and adds that there is still a chance the situation could be resolved with further negotiations.

Tehran rejected the EU resolution today as illegal.

"The EU's resolution is unacceptable and we reject it," said Mohammad Saeedi, deputy head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation. "Iran does not accept the resolution as it is not legal and also it is against the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)," he said.

Say this for the Iranians, they're not dithering or irresolute. Iran is happy enough to sit down with the hapless EU3 till the EU3 surrenders up everything Iran demands.

What does Iran care? It does as it pleases.

[All emphases added.]