Trolling for Mullahs at Turtle Bay
Lost in the turmoil over the failed Dubai Port Sale and recent Immigration debate, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has taken possession of the Iranian Nuclear Dossier from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This event marks the beginning of diplomatic steps of great importance to every citizen living in the Industrialized World.
President Bush said recently the Iranian Nuclear program is of "Grave National Importance." He is quite correct.
One scenario has Iran with a crude nuclear device controlling the Straits of Hormuz with a “Line of Death” delivered by patrol boat or tramp steamer thereby at threat to force the United States out of the Persian Gulf. A country controlling the Strait can control the price of oil. Pushing the US out of the Gulf where the US Navy, NATO and Coalition partners enforce Freedom of the Seas is a catastrophic scenario for the industrialized world.
Iranian intent is shown by The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) with comments made Bahrain by Iran’s fiery President and repeated from Oman during the same trip through the region in late January:
"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Sunday stressed the importance of bolstering cooperation among regional states in order to expand security in view of the enemies' efforts to sow discord among countries of the region."
The enemy Mr. Ahmadinejad speaks of is not al-Qaeda. The enemy of Iran is the U.S., NATO and Coalition Allies. Iran talks tough concerning Israel, yet history tells of Iranian armaments deals with Israel replenishing Iran’s Army and Air Force during the long conflict with Iraq. A nuclear device mated to a missile capable of hitting Israel is estimated to come on line long after the crude initial device is born. The ruling Mullah’s consistent desire in lower OPEC oil quotas to raise prices also goes to motive.
Where Iran has gone to guns is the Persian Gulf when the U.S. reflagged Kuwaiti Tankers in a Freedom of the Seas operation. According to the Los Angeles Times, David Albright, former nuclear weapons inspector of the Institute for Science and International Security, states in a newly released paper by his organization that under near perfect conditions Iran can manufacture enough highly enriched uranium to fashion a crude atomic device within three years.
Fortunately, we have allies during this most important phase of discussions at the UNSC: Britain, Germany and France. Germany and France you say? Yes, and here's two quotes from leaders in each country from February:
``Looking back to German history in the early 1930s when National Socialism (Nazism) was on the rise, there were many outside Germany who said 'It's only rhetoric -- don't get excited.' There were times when people could have reacted differently and, in my view, Germany is obliged to do something at the early stages ... We want to, we must prevent Iran from developing its nuclear program." --German Chancellor Merkel
"Today, it's simple ; no civilian nuclear program can explain the Iranian nuclear program. So, it's an Iranian clandestine military nuclear program. It's simple; the international community first sent a very firm message, telling the Iranians: 'Come back to reason, suspend all nuclear activity and uranium enrichment, and uranium conversion' and they don't listen to us" --French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy
Mais oui, two old friends are back in the tent. When the French say a diplomatic issue is "simple," they have made up their minds.
Russia and China hold fast against any sanctions on Iran, but China can be brought to reason the old fashion way through economics. Senators Graham and Schumer sponsor a 27.5 percent tariff bill tied to changes in the float of China’s yuan in the U. S. Senate that garnered sixty-seven votes in a non-binding tally, while the Bush administration pushes trade mark and patent enforcement. Before the Six Way Talks on North Korea’s nuclear program resumed last July, the administration enacted restrictions on a wide array of Chinese clothing
With President Hu Jintao coming for the Bush version of a state visit, there is still time to turn China diplomatically before a trade war begins. With China turned, Russia will have little choice but to join the West in placing sanctions on Iran. The bottom line is Iran has a muted but far more immediate and stated aim. Remove the enemy—the US and Allies—out of the Persian Gulf. Such a “Line of Death” backed by a nuclear device was the dream of Muammar Gaddafi. Hopefully, diplomatic efforts can snuff this dream before military action or this nightmare sequence.
President Bush said recently the Iranian Nuclear program is of "Grave National Importance." He is quite correct.
One scenario has Iran with a crude nuclear device controlling the Straits of Hormuz with a “Line of Death” delivered by patrol boat or tramp steamer thereby at threat to force the United States out of the Persian Gulf. A country controlling the Strait can control the price of oil. Pushing the US out of the Gulf where the US Navy, NATO and Coalition partners enforce Freedom of the Seas is a catastrophic scenario for the industrialized world.
Iranian intent is shown by The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) with comments made Bahrain by Iran’s fiery President and repeated from Oman during the same trip through the region in late January:
"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Sunday stressed the importance of bolstering cooperation among regional states in order to expand security in view of the enemies' efforts to sow discord among countries of the region."
The enemy Mr. Ahmadinejad speaks of is not al-Qaeda. The enemy of Iran is the U.S., NATO and Coalition Allies. Iran talks tough concerning Israel, yet history tells of Iranian armaments deals with Israel replenishing Iran’s Army and Air Force during the long conflict with Iraq. A nuclear device mated to a missile capable of hitting Israel is estimated to come on line long after the crude initial device is born. The ruling Mullah’s consistent desire in lower OPEC oil quotas to raise prices also goes to motive.
Where Iran has gone to guns is the Persian Gulf when the U.S. reflagged Kuwaiti Tankers in a Freedom of the Seas operation. According to the Los Angeles Times, David Albright, former nuclear weapons inspector of the Institute for Science and International Security, states in a newly released paper by his organization that under near perfect conditions Iran can manufacture enough highly enriched uranium to fashion a crude atomic device within three years.
Fortunately, we have allies during this most important phase of discussions at the UNSC: Britain, Germany and France. Germany and France you say? Yes, and here's two quotes from leaders in each country from February:
``Looking back to German history in the early 1930s when National Socialism (Nazism) was on the rise, there were many outside Germany who said 'It's only rhetoric -- don't get excited.' There were times when people could have reacted differently and, in my view, Germany is obliged to do something at the early stages ... We want to, we must prevent Iran from developing its nuclear program." --German Chancellor Merkel
"Today, it's simple ; no civilian nuclear program can explain the Iranian nuclear program. So, it's an Iranian clandestine military nuclear program. It's simple; the international community first sent a very firm message, telling the Iranians: 'Come back to reason, suspend all nuclear activity and uranium enrichment, and uranium conversion' and they don't listen to us" --French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy
Mais oui, two old friends are back in the tent. When the French say a diplomatic issue is "simple," they have made up their minds.
Russia and China hold fast against any sanctions on Iran, but China can be brought to reason the old fashion way through economics. Senators Graham and Schumer sponsor a 27.5 percent tariff bill tied to changes in the float of China’s yuan in the U. S. Senate that garnered sixty-seven votes in a non-binding tally, while the Bush administration pushes trade mark and patent enforcement. Before the Six Way Talks on North Korea’s nuclear program resumed last July, the administration enacted restrictions on a wide array of Chinese clothing
With President Hu Jintao coming for the Bush version of a state visit, there is still time to turn China diplomatically before a trade war begins. With China turned, Russia will have little choice but to join the West in placing sanctions on Iran. The bottom line is Iran has a muted but far more immediate and stated aim. Remove the enemy—the US and Allies—out of the Persian Gulf. Such a “Line of Death” backed by a nuclear device was the dream of Muammar Gaddafi. Hopefully, diplomatic efforts can snuff this dream before military action or this nightmare sequence.
posted by David W. Moon | 1:06 PM
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