Wednesday's Daily Briefing on Iran

DoctorZin reports, 1.18.2005:

The Iranian Nuclear Crisis: Splits, Caution, Denial, Warnings, Insight and more Lunacy from Ahmadinejad

Permanent 5 Unity Short Lived.

• The Times reported that the EU3 will seek an emergency meeting of the IAEA on February 2-3.
• Reuters reported that a meeting of European, Russian, Chinese and U.S. officials in London on Monday did not produce a full consensus.
• BBC News reported on why, as the west presses for punitive international action against Tehran, one of its most difficult tasks will be to win China's support.
• Herald Sun reported that UN nuclear chief Dr Mohamed ElBaradei held a secret meeting with Iran's chief negotiator.
• The Guardian reported that while Javier Solana, the EU foreign affairs chief, said he was "confident" Russia and China will back the referral, both countries expressed serious reservations.
• RIA Novosti reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said: "I fully support the appeal to resume talks but believe it would be possible only under the generally recognized conditions that assume Iran's observance of the uranium enrichment moratorium."
• Asia Times argued the Russian position on Iran.

The Iranian Response.

• The New York Times reported that Iran on Tuesday proposed a resumption of nuclear talks with the Europeans.
• Iran Press New reported that an Iranian MP, Mohammad-Nabi Roudaki, said: "The American and German view is obnoxious and these two countries are breaking all kinds of rules with regards to their stances."
• Iran Press News reported that Ahmadinejad in an interview regarding the nuclear issue said: "we are the ones who do not trust certain western countries... I have at least 20 proposals and I've only divulged 2 so far. ... We recommend that these western countries cease using their philosophies of Fascism and tyranny... Western countries must learn to live by the rule of law."

Caution.

• Reuters reported that the U.S. Energy Information Administration warned world can't afford to lose Iran's oil.
• Iran Focus reported that US Vice President Dick Cheney held talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak regarding the crisis over Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.
• ABC News reported that the Arab world's two major powers urged Vice President Dick Cheney to give negotiations more time in the growing diplomatic conflict over Iran's nuclear program.

Denial.

• Simon Jenkins, The Guardian thinks the west has picked a fight that it cannot win.
• Evelyn Leopold, Reuters argued that Iran can be embarrassed into complying with the west's demands to end nuclear enrichment.

The Options.

• The Christian Science Monitor reported that current diplomatic efforts are prompting some officials and analysts to lay out a range of Plan B's, but not regime change.
• The Times reviewed the options for the world towards Iran.
• The Editors, The National Review published an excellent statement on the Iran crisis and the poor options facing the west, but they seem to have forgotten the opportunity for the west to support a regime change in Iran.
• Iran Press News reported that European nations have ordered their private commercial companies and banks to suspend their issuance of contracts with their Islamic Republic counterparts.
• Iran Press News reported that German deputy Foreign Minister Gernot Erler said he favored imposing travel restrictions on Iranian politicians.
• Frederick Kempe, The Wall Street Journal pondered the Iranian "Tipping Point."
• Charles Krauthammer, The Washington Post lamented the recent statement by the new chancellor of Germany that the EU3/Iran negotiations were a success because the allies stuck together!

The Warnings.

• Frank J. Gaffney Jr., The Washington Times is one of the few to reminded us that one of Mr. Ahmadinejad's other stated objectives: "a world without America."
• Con Coughlin, Telegraph warned that Iran 'could go nuclear within three years.'
• Amir Taheri, Korea Herald reminded the world that Ahmadinejad hopes he will emerge as the unrivalled master of the Islamic republic and the de facto leader of the Muslim world.

Support for Real Democracy in Iran,The Under-reported Option.

• Jonathan Gurwitz, San Antonio Express-News argued that the world can't ignore the cries calling for change in Iran.
• Mark Steyn, Telegraph asked: Would it not be feasible to turn the tables on the Iranian regime and upgrade Iran's somewhat lethargic dissidents?
• The New York Sun reported that the strong showing for Iranian-backed Islamists in last month's Iraqi election are prompting backers of the Bush Doctrine of spreading democracy in the Middle East to call for refinements in implementing the policy - but not for its wholesale abandonment.

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

• Iran Press News reported that a political activist from the town of Oshnoviyeh was returned to prison for another 3-year sentence.
• Iran Press News reported that "The Servants of Allah Hezbollah of Kurdistan" have issued a bulletin for the physical "elimination" of journalists, civil and human rights activists.
• BBC News reported that at least eight Iraqi coastguards have been detained by Iran after a clash on the Shatt al-Arab waterway.
• And finally, Iran Press News reported that Hamed Karzai’s trip to Iran was canceled. The reason for the cancellation is the "unfavorable climate and conditions".