DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN
Another diplomatic overture, another Iranian rebuke
On June 14th, the European Union’s foreign policy czar, Javier Solana, visited Tehran to offer Iran’s leaders a new diplomatic package designed to defuse the international crisis over their nuclear program. The generous offer included, among other things, a plan to establish a uranium enrichment consortium in Iran to help the Islamic Republic develop civilian nuclear energy. In return, Iran would suspend uranium enrichment while it negotiated with the West – a process European officials say will be measured in “months,” not years.
The offer was clearly weighted in Iran’s favor so, not surprisingly, the “5+1” countries (Russia, China, the United States, France, Britain and Germany) were optimistic about its prospects. “I hope that the answer will be soon and positive,” Solana told reporters after presenting the offer to Iranian leaders.
Iran’s ayatollahs, however, appear to have other ideas. “If the package includes suspension it is not debatable at all,” an Iranian government spokesman announced just hours after his government received the new proposal. The message could not be clearer: Iran now views nuclear capability as non-negotiable, and its leaders see greater security in continuing to enrich uranium than in any deal they might be able to hammer out with the West.
All of which should give pause to the politicians, analysts, and statesmen now expounding the virtues of unconditional “engagement” with the Islamic Republic, since their preferred course of action will virtually guarantee that a nuclear Iran becomes a reality. But don’t bet on it.