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Five Key Issues in Nuclear Negotiations with Iran
(U.S. News) Mortimer B. Zuckerman - 1. Transparency. Iran must ease access to sites immediately as required by the Additional Protocol agreed in Lausanne and implement Code 3.1 of the 1974 Safeguard Agreements. And the history of their covert military activity cannot any longer be covert. 2. Stockpile. Iran had agreed to export enriched uranium to Russia so that for 15 years at least it would never have more than 300 kilograms. The IAEA recently reported Iran's stocks had risen by 20%. Iranian negotiator Abbas Araqchi now says there's no question of shipping the fuel abroad. What's going on? 3. Arak. Secure a timetable for shutting down the heavy water reactor at Arak, having its redesign approved by the IAEA and the U.S. and its spent fuel sent to another country. 4. Fordow. The Fordow plant, which was deliberately built underground to protect it from bombing, is to be converted to a scientific laboratory. The Israelis want it shut entirely so it can't be reused as a safe haven for nuclear development. 5. Sanctions. Iran demands that sanctions cease as soon as there's a final agreement. No way. It should happen only when the IAEA is satisfied with big initial steps on transparency and access to any suspicious area, with the plans for conversion of Fordow and Arak, and with an assured ceiling for Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium. In short, the sanctions shouldn't be lifted until roadblocks to a bomb are in place.