“Give diplomacy a chance,” Europe pleaded before, during, and after Operation Iraqi Freedom. “You need world opinion, as defined by us, to get anything done.” We’ve given Europe the lead on dealing with Iran. And while we might not be the smartest kids in class, right now Europe is looking pretty dumb:
“If we are referred to the United Nations Security Council, the Government has no other choice but ending all engagements it concluded concerning the voluntary suspension of its nuclear activities, as approved by the Majles (Iranian Parliament)”, Foreign Affairs Minister Manouchehr Mottaki announced on Thursday 12 January 2006.
You read that right. Europe’s force-free diplomacy put the EU in a box – and Iran a box of nails and a big ol’ hammer.
Which leads to this:
France, with the support of the United States, rejected Iran’s request for more negotiations on the Islamic republic’s nuclear program, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saying Wednesday “there’s not much to talk about” after Iran resumed atomic activities.
As European countries pushed ahead with efforts to have Iran brought before the U.N. Security Council for its nuclear activities, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused them of trying to deprive Iran of peaceful technology.
And this:
The United States and Europe, seeking Russia’s help in bringing Iran’s nuclear activities before the United Nations Security Council for review, have assured Russian officials that they are not pressing for sanctions against Iran right now, American and European diplomats said Wednesday.
And digging deeper, we find this:
Iran and China signed here Wednesday an agreement in excavation Wednesday.
The agreement was signed between Managing Director of Iran’s North excavation Company Heydar Bahmani and Deputy Managing Director of China’s COSL, Jo min Goa.
COSL will be responsible for maintenance, repairs, and management of semi-floating Iran-Alborz platform to be set up in the Caspian sea for a three year period.
To sum up: The EU is boxed in, Russia won’t play ball, and China is getting real cozy with Tehran.
Anyone else have any big ideas?
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