US S.ecretary of State Condi Rice in ParisToday, the permanent members of the Un Security Council plus Germany agreed to send Iran back to the United Nations Security Council, saying that Iran has given no sign it means to negotiate seriously over its nuclear program.
I guess yesterday's fiasco with Solana was the clincher.
"The Iranians have given no indication at all that they are ready to engage seriously on the substance of our proposals," French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on behalf the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China, the five permanent Security Council members, plus Germany and the European Union.
When the French are talking that way, you know something's wrong.
Now, of course, we go into another time consuming round of diplospeak and `diplomacy'....which probably suits the mullahs just fine.
Any real action wold take place months from now, if at all, but the group said it will seek an initial resolution requiring Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment. Debate could begin as soon as next week. Yeah...another one.
Russia and China signed on to Wtoday's statement, but both countries have stated in no uncertain terms that they will oppose any measures like sanctions on Iran.
Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns, the Bush administration's chief negotiator on the Iran issue, said the United States is pleased by what it called strong action by the Security Council group.
"This is a significant decision that frankly reflects the disappointment and frustration of our countries over the lack of a serious response."
Uh-huh. Ri-ight.
"The indications are that Iran's response has been disappointing and incomplete," Condi Rice had reporters aboard her flight to Paris.
"If we go to the Security Council we'll take our time in terms of putting together the best response," to make sure Iran understands that it cannot continue to pursue enrichment while talks are ongoing, and that it also understands it can still choose to bargain, Rice said.
Iran, unlike the West,is very clear on its intentions. Theyhave repeatedly has said it will not respond to the offer before August 22nd. And Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini has already said that Iran is rejecting the incentives package offered by the West.
Stay tuned..
5 comments:
It is becoming more and more clear to me that China is closely aligning with N. Korea, Iran, Russia and Venezuela (not real concerned about them) and removing themselves from strong USA ties, hopefully I'm wrong.
I'd love to hear your stance on where the USA stands with regards to these countries. I hold your opinion/views in very high regard, if you get a chance, check out my post today. Thank you.
as far a china goes i say it's tariff time and let wal-mart digest/chew on that.
Hi guys!
Here's how I see it.
Let's take China first. We have a symbiotic relationship with the Chinese at this point..we're responsible for the growth in their economy, and they pump dollars back into ours in the form of T-bills, government backed bonds and paper, bank secured paper, etc.
That's because China is still an incredibly corrupt country.
We also export a great deal of technology and products there.
So our relationship is primarily a business one..just like China's with Iran. China also needs oil, and doesn't want to piss off any OPEC members..including Iran and Venezuela.
I should also mention that, historically, China has rarely been an imperialist nation, seeking to invade other countries.
Pretty much the only times they've gotten involved in foreign wars is when stuff occurred on their borders (N. Korea, India,).
That being said, they no doubt enjoy the idea of a pissant like Kim Jong Il rattling our cage..up to a point.
China's relationship with Russia is more complicated. They have had conflicts going back a long time, Russia being the imperialist nation that it is. At this point, they are getting along..just.
China is content at this point to play both ends against the middle, develop their country and economy and consolidate their control over the Chinese land mass, IMO.
Russia is a very different matter. IMO, the hatred their leaders like Putin have for us is palpable, because not only did we cause them to lose their empire but their status as a superpower. Vladimir Putin is an ex-KGB operative, (as was Gorbachav) and bears no love for the US. They also bear a special hatred for Israel, because of Russia's historic anti-Semitism andbecause Israel singlehandedly drove the Soviets out of the Middle East, inflicting one of the biggest defeats of the Cold War on them.
They are looking forward to getting even.J O S H U A P U N D I T: Putin: `Arms race isn't over yet..'
Unfortunately, after we defeated the Soviets we did not demand that they scrap their nuclear arsenal as a quid pro quo for all the aid we subsequently gave them. That failure can be placed at the feet of Bush Sr. and Mr. Bill.
Russia is in the position of being a dying nation, but with aspirations for bigger things. Like France they are attempting to align with the Islamic bloc, not realizing that Iran and its jihad allies natural direction for expansion is the predominantly Muslim areas of Russia...the oil and gas rich Caucasus. They will eventually attack and attempt to devour Russia, and Putin will learn how Joe Stalin felt when Hitler attacked him, IMO.
I think you alredy know how I see Iran. I'll mosey on over to your site in a bit, Senor Gringo..I'm sure it's good.
ff said:
I should also mention that, historically, China has rarely been an imperialist nation, seeking to invade other countries.
this may be true of the modern era.
in the last half of the 1200s, kublai khan twice attempted invasions of mainland japan. in the process lossing 4000 ships, not to mention men.
this gave japan their "devine wind" mythology.
the chinese still seeth at the japanese occupation that was WWII.
and given the chance would gladly commit war crimes of their own on the general populace.
A little late with this post, it's July 22 and just returned from vacation.
FF,
Thanks for your excellent insight and clarity, I swear you have one of THE BEST blogs / sites there is!
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