Iran Cleared by U.N. of Atomic Ambitions

[LilBlinbBlahIce]

Iran Cleared by U.N. of Atomic Ambitions

"To date, there is no evidence that the previously undeclared nuclear material and activities ... were related to a nuclear weapons program," said one of the diplomats, reading from the report. "However, given Iran's previous pattern of concealment, it will take some time before the agency is able to conclude that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes."
U.S. officials will likely seize on a passage in the report saying that Tehran's recent disclosures "clearly show that in the past, Iran had concealed many aspects of its nuclear activities, which resulted in breaches of its obligations of the safeguard agreement."

It would not surprise me if that last statement somehow makes it into the next State of the Union address as one of the reasons to justify "Operation Iranian Freedom"... brought to you by the makers of "Operation Iraqi Freedom" and guaranteed to contain atleast 50% more WMD!... OK... 50% more evidence of WMD... OK fine... 50% certainty that they will greet us with open arms... Ok, fine fvck it... they will be free, that is all that matters.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Iran to admit nuclear violations, says UN
<snip>
The United Nation's chief nuclear inspector was yesterday expected to say that Iran had confessed to fresh violations of its nuclear obligations, but that these were not necessarily evidence of a secret weapons programme.
</snip>

I'm not so sure they were "cleared" as they did have violations. I do hope however that Iran is not secretly planning weaponry of that sort...but they weren't too up front about their previous nuclear ambitions.

CkG

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Maybe they had more nuclear material than they had agreed on? They don't need to plan weapons to violate that.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

I think Iran needs nukes. The people of Iraq are generally decent, peace-loving people but the leadership of the foreign occupier has no respect for the sovereignty of others. Considering the US government is publicly advocating the use of tactical nukes (and Iran is on the Hit List), Iran may need a nuclear deterrent.

 

[KenGr]

There's no mystery about what's going on here and everyone involved knows it. Iran has been trying to develop a weapons program and got caught. Now the UN is trying to give them a face saving way out to abandon the program and not get public labeled as a state in violation of their non-proliferation agreements. It's very similar to the North Korea situation but let's hope it works out better this time.

Key points:
1. If you want a civilian nuclear power program, you don't build your own fuel enrichment program until you have a plan for about a dozen nuclear units. Iran has exactly 1 planned reactor.
2. If you have a fuel enrichment program, it is built with equipment that is intended to get up to about 6% enrichment. It appears Iran has equipment designed to get up to 95% enrichment.
3. A fuel enrichment program enriches only natural Uranium. The Iran inspection reveals Plutonium. This can only exist if the enrichment process is being used to separate weapons material out of spent fuel.

However, we will all try to conclude they didn't intend to produce weapons and hope they behave in the future.

 

[heartsurgeon]

From Scrappleface:

UN: No Evidence Iran Producing Nukes, Oil
(2003-11-10) -- The United Nations today announced it had found no evidence that Iran is producing nuclear weapons or crude oil.

"We have been told this by Iranian government officials," said a U.N. spokesman, "and if anyone ought to know, it's them. They've been cooperating with us in a most congenial manner."

After an exhaustive inspection process, the U.N. also said it found no evidence that anyone in Iran practices Islam, wears a burqa or speaks Farsi. A team of United Nations experts continues to search for evidence of kebab.

The U.N. couldn't find sand in Iraq if it tried.

 

[privatebreyer]

If you see someone from the UN, tell them I can get them a great deal on the Brooklyn Bridge.

 

[shurato]

The United Nutzo's are about as relevant and believable as this current US administration.

 

[privatebreyer]

Originally posted by: shurato
The United Nutzo's are about as relevant and believable as this current US administration.

Nice to see you think so highly of them.

 

[Lucky]

Uh, how did you miss this point that you yourself quoted?

"However, given Iran's previous pattern of concealment, it will take some time before the agency is able to conclude that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes."

They haven't been "cleared" yet!


Holy smokes, did you even read the article?

U.N. nuclear agency report said Iran produced small amounts of plutonium as part of covert nuclear activities. While finding "no evidence" that Tehran tried to make atomic arms, it said such efforts cannot be ruled out.

"Neither the (processing) activities nor the separated plutonium had been previously reported to the agency," said the report, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

 

[VioletAura]

It is amazing that a nation that the US CAN NEVER WIN A WAR AGAINST is convienently cleared of attempting to build atomic weapons, even though it claims its program is for peaceful purposes when they have a abundant supply of oil. However, if the UN found a locked janitors closet in a bolt factory it would have been, for the US, undeniable proof of a WMD program.

 

[LilBlinbBlahIce]

Originally posted by: Lucky
Uh, how did you miss this point that you yourself quoted?

"However, given Iran's previous pattern of concealment, it will take some time before the agency is able to conclude that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes."

They haven't been "cleared" yet!


Holy smokes, did you even read the article?

U.N. nuclear agency report said Iran produced small amounts of plutonium as part of covert nuclear activities. While finding "no evidence" that Tehran tried to make atomic arms, it said such efforts cannot be ruled out.

"Neither the (processing) activities nor the separated plutonium had been previously reported to the agency," said the report, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

That was the title of the article at the time I read it on Yahoo. Now it's "IAEA Says Iran Produced Plutonium", can't help it if they change titles.

 

[glenn1]

It is amazing that a nation that the US CAN NEVER WIN A WAR AGAINST is convienently cleared of attempting to build atomic weapons, even though it claims its program is for peaceful purposes when they have a abundant supply of oil.

The U.S. couldn't beat Iran in a war? Surely you jest.

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: glenn1

It is amazing that a nation that the US CAN NEVER WIN A WAR AGAINST is convienently cleared of attempting to build atomic weapons, even though it claims its program is for peaceful purposes when they have a abundant supply of oil.

The U.S. couldn't beat Iran in a war? Surely you jest.

We can beat Iran in a war, whatever that means nowadays, have a big "Mission Accomplished" photo op, but I don't think we can win peace in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan at the same time, since we can't even do it in either of the first two. I think it would be the height of foolishness for us to invade Iran, even if they try to develop nukes. They are now at the point where the people are turning against the mullahs, and last thing we need to have them rally around the mullahs against the invaders.
Regardless, Iran can withdraw from the NPT if it's too much hassle for them they aren't like Iraq which was cease fire bound to inspections.

 

[LilBlinbBlahIce]

Originally posted by: SuperTool

Originally posted by: glenn1

It is amazing that a nation that the US CAN NEVER WIN A WAR AGAINST is convienently cleared of attempting to build atomic weapons, even though it claims its program is for peaceful purposes when they have a abundant supply of oil.

The U.S. couldn't beat Iran in a war? Surely you jest.

We can beat Iran in a war, whatever that means nowadays, have a big "Mission Accomplished" photo op, but I don't think we can win peace in Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan at the same time, since we can't even do it in either of the first two. I think it would be the height of foolishness for us to invade Iran, even if they try to develop nukes. They are now at the point where the people are turning against the mullahs, and last thing we need to have them rally around the mullahs against the invaders.
Regardless, Iran can withdraw from the NPT if it's too much hassle for them they aren't like Iraq which was cease fire bound to inspections.

Well said.

 

[kage69]

Does this mean the visiting North Korean scientists are going to lose their cushy little resort on the Caspian?!

 

[Aimster]

nobody knows what Iran is doing or has been doing. Do you live there? Do you work for their military? Do you work for their nuclear program? This agency is the best bet of what is really going on there and you people saying they are/ they should / they already have .. speculations.

 

[kage69]

*cough*

edit: damn, won't work...here, http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20030807-081836-8599r.htm

So why are the North Koreans there?

 

[conehead433]

The UN clearing Iran of nuclear ambitions will never work. Dubya knows their trying to get noo-ker-ler weapons and that the country is a hotbed of terrorists. I'm afraid he doesn't think much of the UN either.

 

[kage69]

I'm afraid he doesn't think much of the UN either.

Can't say I blame him for that.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: VioletAura
It is amazing that a nation that the US CAN NEVER WIN A WAR AGAINST is convienently cleared of attempting to build atomic weapons, even though it claims its program is for peaceful purposes when they have a abundant supply of oil. However, if the UN found a locked janitors closet in a bolt factory it would have been, for the US, undeniable proof of a WMD program.

Yeah right, Iran couldn't even defeat the Iraqi Army over 8 years of fighting while we demolished them in little under 2 months. Like it was posted earlier, we could win the war but not the peace.