U.S. Offers Iran Nuclear Technology

[Richard the Lionheart]

First the U.S. decides to join in direct talks with Iran and now it is actually offering the Iranians civilian nulcear technology.

Well what do you all think? Is it a step forward in the diplomatic process? I think so.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13165152/

[Last Roman]

First the U.S. decides to join in direct talks with Iran and now it is actually offering the Iranians civilian nulcear technology.

Well what do you all think? Is it a step forward in the diplomatic process? I think so.

it is a wise step. If Iran refuses it, the tide will turn against them (not that it already hasn't)

[Carach]

yay. iran with nukes makes the world a better place...this will solve their attitude problem!

not.

[Richard the Lionheart]

yay. iran with nukes makes the world a better place...this will solve their attitude problem!

not.

It's civilian nuclear technology.

[Carach]

It's civilian nuclear technology.

and will provide them with the perfect cover to continue towards their goal of obtaining nuclear weapons

[Richard the Lionheart]

and will provide them with the perfect cover to continue towards their goal of obtaining nuclear weapons

How's that? When the U.S. and the Europeans will be monitoring them and controlling their nuclear technology.

[Carach]

How's that? When the U.S. and the Europeans will be monitoring them and controlling their nuclear technology.

lol its gone this far already because of europeans...

europeans shouldnt even be involved, weak politicians have no place in such important matters.
need people with backbone..not people that the whole world knows can be bent over very very easily.

[Zenith Darksea]

Actually, I think that this was probably a pretty good move on the Americans' side. While much is made about how civilian nuclear technology can refine uranium into plutonium, it is not the case that a civilian reactor could actually bring the Iranians any closer to building an atomic bomb, as there is much more involved than simply refining uranium. If the US gives (or sells?) them the technology, then they can at least control what technology finds its way into Iranian hands, and can for once boost their image on the international scene (let's face it, that hasn't been the Bush administration's strongest point so far).

[Legio XX Valeria Victrix]

I think it's a risky gamble, but one that could pay off.

The offer seems to me to be a bluff that Washington knows Teheran will never accept, firstly because it comes from the 'great imperialist' Americans, and secondly because they would have to be watched over by Western countries. If Teheran does not take the offer, and continues being belligerent, it might work that the Bush administration scores a diplomatic victory...and those have been very rare.

But, if Teheran accepts the deal, takes our technology, and then refuses inspectors, they just called our bluff and suckered us. Not that I think they would even get nuclear technology from us anyways. I think its a bluff that Teheran is meant to decline, but if they accept, we're screwed because suddenly we don't want to give any nuclear tech to a belligerent nation.

[Zenith Darksea]

The US has been trying for quite a number of years to 'empower the Iranian youth', and hasn't come very close to it yet. Furthermore, plenty of words have been bandied about so far, and it hasn't got us anywhere with Iran. It may seem like a quick fix, but we may not have long enough to try anything more.

[RZZZA]

I just especially dont like the idea of us "keeping watch" over iran with inspectors that come in every once in awhile. How well did that work with Saddam? How wwll did Saddam hide his crap, how well did he mislead these inspectors, and deny them access to areas, why do we think that nuclear inspctors like that are foolproof? theyre not.

On top of not being very effective, it is also an insult to the county being inspected, verytime nuclear inspection time rolls around its like a slap to the face to these people, a public affirmation that they cannot control themselves, so they need enlightened, non-muslim, western minds to come in and babysit for them. Condescending, enfuriating....I dont see this solving problems, I only see this giving more leverage to Iran...

I realize that backing iranian youth and ultimately backing a armed revolution is not any easier of a route, but at least the word "nuclear" doesnt have to be involved. We already tried this sanctions and weapons inspector crap with saddam, it didn't work, period.

[IamthePope]

I just especially dont like the idea of us "keeping watch" over iran with inspectors that come in every once in awhile. How well did that work with Saddam? How wwll did Saddam hide his crap, how well did he mislead these inspectors, and deny them access to areas, why do we think that nuclear inspctors like that are foolproof? theyre not.

Well the use of inspections did allow us to know the Saddam was not cooperating which inevitably led us to a war that deposed his government and put the nation of Iraq under american control. If a similar thing happens with Iran, we can be sure they won't have nuclear weapons .

[RZZZA]

Its definetly an interesting idea, I give them that, I'm anxious to see how this will play out.

[danzig]

I just especially dont like the idea of us "keeping watch" over iran with inspectors that come in every once in awhile. How well did that work with Saddam? How wwll did Saddam hide his crap, how well did he mislead these inspectors, and deny them access to areas, why do we think that nuclear inspctors like that are foolproof? theyre not.

Would probably be alot more 'bite' to the inspections, with Iraq there was alot of delaying and other nonsense by Iraq which was only answered by "Iraq must comply" which of course they didnt which eventually lead to mess we are in now in Iraq. With Iran it would probably be much clearer, failure to not comply with inspectors and the entire deal is off as Im sure the EU and US arent dumb enough to basically repeat the same mistakes made with Iraq. Plus no doubt the nuclear tech being offered is the type that wont be useful for nuclear weapons anyway much like the deal the US originally had with NK.

On top of not being very effective, it is also an insult to the county being inspected, verytime nuclear inspection time rolls around its like a slap to the face to these people, a public affirmation that they cannot control themselves, so they need enlightened, non-muslim, western minds to come in and babysit for them. Condescending, enfuriating....I dont see this solving problems, I only see this giving more leverage to Iran...

And the alternative is what? War which no one wins and everyone loses alot more then a bit of pride that the Iranians and US would lose from this. This is a good compromise imo and the Iranians would really be foolish to decline it, as Ive said the biggest issue in all this is the US has to be able to accept an Iran with nuclear techology (not weapons) and the Iranians have to accept that any nuclear program they have is basically green lighted by the west. Im sure to alot of people on both sides that is unacceptable but the alternatives are far worse, we cant stop countries from aquiring nuclear techology all we can is work to ensuring they dont aquire nuclear weapons and the best way for that is to be involved in their civilizan programs as much as possible even if it means assisting them with techology.

I realize that backing iranian youth and ultimately backing a armed revolution is not any easier of a route, but at least the word "nuclear" doesnt have to be involved. We already tried this sanctions and weapons inspector crap with saddam, it didn't work, period.

Because it wasnt really applied, look at the mess with sanctions and Oil for Food scandal...look how long inspections were allowed to on hindered by the Iraqis. Half assed implemented solutions produce the result they deserve which is nothing.

[Richard the Lionheart]

We'll just have to wait and see how the Iranians will respond to this offer.

[Hub'ite]

We'll just have to wait and see how the Iranians will respond to this offer.

Iran says Western proposal 'positive'
TEHRAN, Iran -
Iran and the United States had a rare moment of agreement Tuesday, using similar language to describe "positive steps" toward an accord on a package of incentives aimed at persuading Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment.

Diplomats said the incentives include a previously undisclosed offer of some U.S. nuclear technology on top of European help in building light-water nuclear reactors. Other incentives include allowing Iran to buy spare airplane parts and support for joining the
World Trade Organization.

Tehran is under intense international pressure to accept the deal in exchange for putting on hold a uranium enrichment program that the West fears could lead to the creation of nuclear weapons.
Source

[Richard the Lionheart]

[Off-Topic] Join the WTO? Doesn't everybody hate the WTO? [/Off-Topic]