PrintUS may allow Iran to continue enrichment during talks
Another day, another unilateral concession by Obama to the Iranians. One begins to wonder what our negotiating strategy is beyond "Let's give them everything they want BEFORE we begin to talk."
This time, the Obama administration is considering the abandonment of the linchpin of our negotiating position with Iran; that before talks can begin, Iran must stop enriching uranium. This is not only US policy, but was enshrined in UN Sec. Res. 1661 where the UN is now applying sanctions against Iran as a result of their refusal to stop enriching uranium.
In short, this decision - if followed through - will cut the legs from underneath the UN sanctions regime against Iran, effectively ending it.
And what did our brilliant president get in return for this magnanimous gesture? Perhaps Ahmadinejad will stop scowling in his direction. Maybe the Iranians will start to say nice things about Obama. Who knows? Maybe this will be the catalyst that will bring peace in our time with the Iranians?
The fact is, we will get nothing for this huge concession - and like it:
The proposals, exchanged in confidential strategy sessions with European allies, would press Tehran to open up its nuclear program gradually to wide-ranging inspection. But the proposals would also allow Iran to continue enriching uranium for some period during the talks, a sharp break in the approach taken by the Bush administration, which had demanded that Iran halt its enrichment activities.
The proposals under consideration would go somewhat beyond President Obama's promise, during the presidential campaign, to open negotiations with Iran "without preconditions." Officials involved in the discussion said they were being fashioned to draw Iran into nuclear talks that it had so far shunned.
A review of Iran policy that Mr. Obama ordered after taking office is still under way, and aides say it is not clear how long he would be willing to allow Iran to continue its fuel production, and at what pace. But European officials said that in talks with Mr. Obama and his aides during his trip to Europe, there was agreement that Iran would not accept the kind of immediate shutdown of its facilities that the Bush administration had demanded.
Obama is so anxious to talk to the mullahs that he will throw everything else we've been trying to do to get Iran to stop enrichment out the window. And note the Euro-whine that Iran won't "accept" a shut down of its nuke program. Perhaps they could have been persuaded if a little more backbone had been shone on UN sanctions. Instead of trying to limit travel of the leadership maybe they should have slapped a total travel ban to Iran from European and American airports. Or instead of banning some kinds of trade, how about a more robust embargo?
Yes, we would have had problems with Russia and China in the Security Council but that doesn't mean that the west couldn't have enforced their own, stricter set of sanctions. But Bush found there was no heart for that sort of thing in Europe so here we are, giving away the store before talks even begin.
Pathetic.
Hat Tip: Ed Lasky
