Friday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 11.25.2005:

The EU Plays the Human Rights Card in Our Poker Game with Iran

Iran Focus: a pro-MEK website

The European Union criticised on Wednesday violations of freedom of speech in Iran and called on Tehran to adhere to its international obligations and commitments to human rights.

The British Embassy in Tehran, in its role as the European Union (EU) Presidency, in a statement said that the Islamic Republic had violated “rights of freedom of expression and freedom of association”.

“Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides for the right to hold opinions without interference and the right to freedom of expression. Recent cases have cast doubt over the Iranian authorities’ commitment to these obligations”, the statement said.

The EU highlighted the cases of dissident journalist Akbar Ganji and jailed lawyer Abdolfattah Soltani. ...

“The European Union regrets that the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran are unable fully to enjoy the rights to freedom of expression and association to which they are entitled”, it said, while urging Tehran to “fulfil its international obligations and commitments to human rights”.

If my analysis of US strategy towards Iran is correct, then this is an important development. I have been arguing for sometime that the US strategy is to enlist European support for Iran's pro-democracy movement, leading to an internal regime change. To accomplish this, the Bush administration has been forced to take a back seat in the developing crisis of the west with Iran. The Europeans have long coupled progress in Iran to progress in human rights, acceptance of the Middle East peace process and transparency in regards to its nuclear ambitions. Condi understands this and is counting on their support if the Russian nuclear proposal fails.

This appears to be a signal that Britain is now on board. The Iranian regime will understand this and respond, which it did.

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• RIA Novosti reported that Russia said it was possible Iran's nuclear dossier would be referred to the UN Security Council.
• Louis Charbonneau, Reuters reported that Iran is pushing ahead with plans to enrich uranium in defiance of international pressure. However, western nations on the IAEA board would be likely to push for an immediate referral to the Council if it restarts enrichment.
• The Telegraph UK reported that Britain and key European allies are using intelligence briefings to convince major powers that Iran is trying to develop nuclear warheads for its Shahab-3 missiles.
• Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned on Thursday the British ambassador to Tehran and protested what it called human rights abuses in the United Kingdom and the European Union.
• Louis Charbonneau, Reuters reported that the U.N. nuclear watchdog's governors broadly agree it is better to explore a Russian compromise over Iran's nuclear activities.
• The Associated Press reported that the European Union is accusing Iran of possessing documents used solely for the production of nuclear arms.
• Dodie Cross, The Desert Sun reported on the Thanksgiving memories of the Iranian Revolution, 1978.
• Amy Kellogg, FOX News released part three of her reports from inside Iran: The Jewish Question. Video also available.
• Dow Jones Newswires reported that the failure of Iran's ultraconservative president to appoint an oil minister acceptable to Parliament has raised concerns about the fate of some major energy projects and created a domestic political crisis.
• And finally, The Financial Times reports that Iran's President has becomes an unlikely fashion icon to some in Iran.