Editor's Desk

Why are the Iran-P5+1 talks getting nowhere?

Editor

Sha'ban 11, 14332012-07-01

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Western governments have strange ways of dealing with others. They start with the claim that they represent the will of the international community.

Then they put forward demands described as “negotiations.” If the other side does not accept them then it is accused of being “unreasonable.”

This is what is happening with the Iran-P5+1 talks of which three rounds have been held: Istanbul (April 14), Baghdad (May 23-24) and Moscow (June 18-19). The Istanbul talks aroused some optimism only to be dashed in Baghdad and Moscow.

Iran insists on its right under the NPT to enrich uranium for energy and other peaceful purposes. While accepting this in principle, the P5+1 representative, Catherine Ashton, then speaks from the other side of her mouth by insisting that Iran must stop all uranium enrichment until the “international community” is satisfied that Iran is not diverting uranium for military purposes. Iran must also shut down its nuclear facility at Fordow because it cannot be destroyed by a US or Israeli aerial strike! What gall.

What they are offering in return is spare parts for Iran’s civilian aircraft and “consideration” to lift the illegal sanctions at some future date.

Unlike the Americans and Europeans, Iran has a 2,500-year old civilization. Either the P5+1 negotiate in earnest or there will be no agreement at all. Iran should consider withdrawing from the NPT if its legitimate rights are not respected, given that Israel’s nuclear stockpile is never discussed.

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