Hmm. Maybe I left the fallout shelter too soon. From the Jerusalem Post:
A senior official in Teheran said Wednesday that in the next few days, a “surprise” was expected regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Al-Jazeera reported.
Teheran’s apparent refusal to suspend uranium enrichment set the stage for a showdown at the UN Security Council later this month.
The United States said Wednesday that a proposal by Iran for nuclear negotiations falls short of UN demands for a halt to enrichment, and began plotting “next moves” with other governments.
Diplomats from Europe, the US, Russia and China pored over details of Iran’s counterproposal
Wednesday, a day after Teheran presented it.Initial comments from Russia and China, however, made clear that the US is likely to face difficulty getting at least those nations to agree to any tough sanctions against Iran.
In Paris, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy made clear that his government was sticking by the UN demand for Iran to halt enrichment by the end of this month as a precondition to further talks.
[…]
However, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it would continue to seek a political, negotiated solution to the dispute with Iran over the nuclear program. China appealed for dialogue, urging “constructive measures” by Iran but also urging other parties to “remain calm and patient, show flexibility, stick to the orientation of peaceful resolution and create favorable conditions for resuming talks as soon as possible.”
The White House has so far held off commenting until it can study the offer. But US ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, said Tuesday that Washington was prepared to move forward with sanctions against Tehran if the offer was not positive.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said the document was “extensive” and required “a detailed and careful analysis” France’s foreign minister said Wednesday that the document was complex and that it was consulting with partners on it.
Iran said Tuesday it was ready for “serious negotiations” on its nuclear program and cast the counterproposal as a new formula to resolve the crisis with the West. But a semiofficial news agency said the government was unwilling to abandon uranium enrichment – the key US demand.
As others have pointed out, the only conceivable reason (other than an unlikely capitulation) for Israel and the US having appeared to go soft on the Israel / Hezbollah cease fire agreement is that they had other, more crucial contingency plans in the works that would require the support of the UNSC—something it doesn’t appear at first blush they are likely to get, but something the US can say that it has at least attempted when they make the case soon that they have exhausted the diplomatic route.
This was the Bush tack in Iraq—and while in the long term it didn’t provide him with any kind of political cover among his detractors at home or abroad, in the short term it did lead to bi-partisan Congressional support for the Iraq campaign, even though certain members of the UNSC, to whom many Democrats often appear beholden, played obstructionist, as they appear again to be doing now.
Relying on the UN to police its deadlines or add teeth to its steady trickle of paper threats, it should now be clear, is a futile gesture—and it should also be clear from statements coming out of Teheran that Iran, at least, recognizes this and is willing to play at nuclear brinksmanship.
We can only hope at this point that Bush is indeed once again playing out the futility of diplomacy for our own legislature, and that when the time comes to move, he will then have the cover he needs here at home to once again do what he feels must be done—even as the Europeans dither, and the Russians and Chinese obstruct.
(h/t JWebb)
There’s that damn word again… ‘OBSTRUCT’
At the Bush press conference the other day, a reporter gave the prez one of those editorials disguised as a question, to the effect that Bush had tried to limit Iran’s influence in the middle east, but now Iran was more powerful than ever.
Bush’s response was that the story of the middle east is not over.
I predict eventual military action by the U.S. and a Coalition of the Willing, Version 2.0, coordinated with a popular uprising in Iran.
Note, too, the Bush, General Abizaid, and Ambassador Khalizad are almost daily accusing Iran of interfering in Iraq.
They’re begining to make the case for “retiring” the mullahs.
I meant “Note, too, that Bush,” not the Bush.
Even so, maybe we should start referring to him as “the Bush,” the way Rush calls her “the Oprah.”
Yeah, Jeff, but I don’t think they’re churning out the UN Security Council Resolutions fast enough for us to reach 17, or whatever the magic number is, before Bush leaves office. Those fockers better start writing.
When questioned by the media, Bush continously states diplomacy is hard work.
tw: At the very least Bush is giving them enough rope.
Hey, guys, I’m kind of tired. Will somebody please question the timing? And please make the reason good.
“having appeared to go soft” ? nice fig leaf for objective reality of a Hezbollah victory over the IDF. $3 billion a year in US armaments, and the IDF gets beaten by 1,000 guerrilas?
$3 billion a year from American taxpayers and the IDF couldn’t even take Bint Jbeil? oh well, I guess being the Middle East’s only nuclear power isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
There’s no questioning the timing of Iran’s recent increasing bluster. They already have nukes.
Mrs. AJ,
Host a Hezballah Party and join the fun! Sovereignty? We don’t need no stinking sovereignty! Large portions of South Beirut are in ruins! Hotel room rental rates are low, low, low! Bring the family!
The mighty party of God has won an astounding moral victory over civilians in the Zionist state, using their retard bombs! Designed to kill only innocent civilians! It is true that every once in a while, one misfires and hits IDF troops, but this is merely unintended collateral damage! And when the going gets tough, we can always count on Principal Kofi to step in and stop the fight before the perpetrator gets the rest of the snot kicked out of him! Brilliant!
Dan
Amnesty International today demanded that the international community investigate Israel for war crimes. targeting civilians, cluster bombs, etc…
the brave IDF is easily able to kick ass, as long as you’re an unarmed woman, child, or elderly invalid. Hezbollah won, the IDF lost. deal with it.
Religion of Peace cleric gives Osama permission to kill up to 10 million Americans with a nuclear bomb. Anything over that, he’s going to start losing afterlife virgins:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/08/22/amanpour.binladen/index.html
American media certain to be shocked by any disproportionate response, believing that will help Democrats take control of Congress.
Man, since the Battle of Tours the Arabs are really sensitive…and um….let’s call it “inventive” about the whole “who won?” thing, huh?
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=18773
“The Mufti of Jerusalem, the city’s highest Muslim religious authority, is calling for the complete “liberation” by Palestinians not only of Jerusalem, but of all of Israel, and stresses that “sacrifice” and “martyrdom” of Palestinian children prove that “the new generation will carry on the mission with determination.”
Yay! More child martyrs, more civilian casualties!
1. Amnesty International–is that an ice cream flavor?
2. Hezbollah never does any of those things. Yep, that was in my best John Belushi “But, NOOOO!” sarcasm voice.
Idiot.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=37278180-a261-421d-84a9-7f94d5fc6d50
Hezbollah was using UN post as ‘shield’
Canadian wrote of militia’s presence, ‘necessity’ of bombing
Oh, Mighty and valiant are the martyrs of Allah!
I think we’re being had, Dan.
Do Hezbollah permit the International Red Cross to visit the Israeli soldiers held hostage? No. Apparently not bound by the Geneva Conventions, huh?
Hezbollah and other non-state actors. Do they merit Geneva protections?
Blowed uppa buncha ammalances, what I heard.
Somebody would have to be pretty sick to do that using the email address. And if I find out who it is . . .
I could have been over at Ace’s making off-color remarks, you bastard.
Well, at least until they are threatened with the meatbol sammich thing, anyway.
TW: True to form.
Verc is back y’know……
TW: remember. Heh!
I KNOW!
Saw it on Reuters, so it must be true!
Dang farkin jooos, kilt mah dawg too.
way
Ah. I see. 8/22 comes on the 29th this year.
It’s a different calendar. And the Arab prophet was an illiterate, anyway.
Probably a paranoid schitzo to boot, what with the voices in his head and the hallucinations and all.
Probably not PC to note that, however.
SB: wrote
off that religion long ago
Surprise! We were just kidding about having a nuclear program.
So what? He was also a child molester, a murderer, a slaver, a thief, and a tyrant.
I can only hope the shattered remnants of the IDF can try to retake part of Haifa…what? Hezbollah hasn’t run the Jews into the sea? Oh, well, I am sure “mrs. ibrahim al-jaafari” will get back to us when the Hez have accomplished their stated goal of wiping out Israel. Current “victory” aside, that is.
Robert, you forgot the dead camel humping thing.
The Iranian leaders must be having a lot of fun watching the West interpreting the meaning of their pronouncements. Last week, it was “What do they have planned for August 22???” (((shudder)))
Now it’s that they have a “surprise”. For all we know, Ahmadinejad’s birthday celebration will have a belly dancer with missile-tipped breasts popping out of a cake — “surprise!!!”
Their announcements are designed to create this atmosphere where the West responds with—“what does it all mean?” Seems like we’d do well to keep our eyes on them and keep playing the political gamesmanship of the World Community, but downplay their PR, which always amounts to zip.
I gave him a pass on that, since he sold that meat to another village.
Iran Will Not Stop Enriching Uranium, CBN video, 8/22/6
http://www.terrorfreeoil.org/videos/ES082206.php
Ahmadinutjob: Hitler of the 21st Century, FNC video, 8/22/6
http://www.terrorfreeoil.org/videos/TM082306.php
Free Patriotic Corner Banners: http://www.terrorfreeoil.org/cb/
Someone nudge Mrs Jafari when Hezb’allah screws up again, at precisely the time when Iran screws up, and when Olmert leaves the building.
I don’t want her to miss the JDAMs and MOABs. Hmmmm, I love the smell of napalm with my falafels.
What kind of “victory” is it when you’re begging the UN to come protect your ass? Then there’s the whole question of how much of its fighting strength Hezbollah lost; funny how the IDF is open and up-front about their casualties, while Hez has taken the position that almost *NONE* of the dead were their people.
But, hell, a compliant press dependent (willingly so) on agents of the terrorists can make up for a lot of military incompetence.
Well, I get the timing all right.
Clearly Ahmadinejad is planning a joint press conference next week with the Dear Leader.
Call me visionary.
Unfortunately, not. The press will mislead the public and the terrorists which are unwittingly just a part of that public. They will mislead and lure the enemies farther and farther and farther out on a limb and then promptly saw themselves and our enemies off from the trunk.
Look at the flabby muscles of the nutroots Left, exercised with pathetic vigor at having won the synchophantic adoration of admirers in some parts of the media.
But a lie is still a lie and success is not built on lies. The jihadis will learn this. So will their Leftist allies.
lunarpuff–
What, and not invite HUGO? He’s going to be enteramente encabronado, buey!
Jeff, get real. This is fantasy on an epic scale. Aren’t you grasping at straws at this point?
Brian, I am officially putting you in charge of my next party.
What I don’t understand is why these “clerics” who issue the fatwahs aren’t military targets. I’d think a cruise missile into whatever “prayer service” they are hosting would encourage a little restraint.
A religion that advocates killing Americans deserves no respect whatsoever. Look at Arafat – his kids aren’t suicide bombers.
There’s precedent for strongarming religions – remember the Branch Davidians? Being a religion didn’t stop Janet Reno from lighting them up. Why do jihadis deserve more respect than we give our own?
..or I could be even more colorful. Aren’t you swinging on vines that snap, and dump you into the bottom of the fertile but steep Grand Canyon?
Why, Dan you are so right. How could I forget Hugo?
Now that would be an inclusive and diverse coalition in terms of both race and religion.
Proof positive that the US is evil, arrogant and imperialistic. My God, the papers would just fly off the newstands.
I bet they would find a way to use ‘disenfranchised’ in their joint statement.
Iran isn’t the only one with a nuclear suprise.
Check out Captain Ed.
A few nuclear capable subs supplied by Germany (with the Germans picking up a third of the cost)
TW: When will itappear to Iran that it will be enjoying a very chernobyl christmas.
I love suprizes! they’re the bomb!
Take that belly dancer exploding out of a cake for instance…
I came here hoping to post something thoughtful. Instead:
Mrs. AJ, I got yer Bint Jbeil hangin’. Right here.
Ok, am I the only one that doesn’t get this?
I’m beginning to feel too sober for this thread.
And now I’m feeling sober and lonely.
Is there anybody out there?
Is there anybody out there?
Is there anybody out there?
My services are free to my fellow PW infidels.
The Davidians lit themselves up Mark.
”A senior official in Teheran said Wednesday that in the next few days, a “surprise†was expected regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Al-Jazeera reported.”
Bat puckey. The U.S. reducing Iran to radioactive rubble isn’t even on next week’s agenda.
TW: maybe. Or maybe not.
I’ll believe in Bush’s determination to do something about Iran when I see the mushroom cloud over Teheran. Until then, I say he’s turned out to be just like his dad: great for fighting half a war.
That’s sorta kinda like when Friday the 13th falls on a Sunday this month, huh?
Sort of annoying, the “infidel cake” I brought to work on the 22nd to celebrate the coming of our Muslim overlords, has gone mostly uneaten.
I question the timing. And Rove.
Must be deaf as well as blind then. It never happened!
TW: bring. Blind howling moonbats just can’t bring themselves to obvious conclusions.
Wow! Abe Shulsky has the Iranian Directorate running full tilt, eh?
The OSP isn’t even missed.
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