(Ha'aretz) - Ze'ev Schiff Iran has between 18 months and two years to cross the point of no return and then a little while longer until it is manufacturing weapons at a reasonable rate. Iran's goal, therefore, is to create international foot-dragging on the issue, to gain time; to create the impression that there's room for negotiation and, at the same time, to accelerate the nuclear development. There are elements in the U.S., particularly in the State Department, who are sending a message of having given up the possibility of preventing the development. This is a poor strategic approach that will only increase the determination of the North Koreans and accelerate the proliferation of nuclear weapons. There is still time to move against the Iranian nuclear plans, whether through the Security Council or with other means. According to nuclear experts, it is also technically possible. Iran claims it wants to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes. There's no economic logic to this, of course, since the country has enormous reserves of petroleum and gas. The Iranians appear to be nervous ahead of the Vienna meeting of the IAEA board of governors on June 16: It's clear to them that if suspicions about their activities deepen, this will strengthen those in Washington who are demanding the issue be brought to the Security Council.
2003-06-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive