Iran Nuclear Watch: Showdown at United Nations Next Week?

This Aug. 12, 2006 IKONOS satellite image provided by GeoEye on Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006 purports to show the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran. Iran’s unprecedented refusal to allow access to its underground facility at Natanz could seriously hamper U.N. attempts to ensure Tehran is not trying to produce nuclear weapons, and might violate the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, diplomats and U.N. officials told The Associated Press.

AP: Diplomats pore over Iran nuclear offer

Iran’s apparent reluctance to suspend uranium enrichment in its counterproposal to a Western nuclear incentives package sets the stage for a showdown at the U.N. Security Council next week â€” with no certainty the U.S. will win a promise of tough sanctions from its partners.

Diplomats from Europe, the U.S., Russia and China were poring over the details of Iran’s offer Wednesday, a day after Tehran presented it, and withheld any detailed public comment. But initial comments from Russia and China made clear the United States is likely to face difficulty getting at least those two nations to agree to any tough sanctions against Iran.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it would continue to seek a political, negotiated solution to the dispute with Iran over the nuclear program. China appealed for dialogue, urging “constructive measures” by Iran and patience from the U.S. and its allies.

The White House has so far held off commenting until it can study the offer. But the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, said Tuesday that Washington was prepared to move forward with sanctions against Tehran if the offer was not positive.

Time for the United States to take a deep breath, pause and re-evaluate the Iran situation. What has happened in the past few months?

NOTHING!

The centrifuges at Natanz continue to enrich uranium and Iran is continuing their nuclear weapons program in secret. There have been many statements, bloviations, and threats from Iran and the West but the fact remains: Iran WILL NOT negotiate their uranium enrichment program.

Condoleeza Rice, John Bolton and President Bush have given the international community every opportunity to diplomatically handle the Iran nuclear “problem.” There is sufficient “diplomatic cover” to take the next step:

NOTHING

Russia and China will NEVER vote meaningful sanctions out of the United Nations Security Council. So, why should the United States bother?

Why should the United States continue to be the brunt of meaningless criticism week after week when ultimately Israel and the America will “DEAL” militarily with the problem when it reaches a crisis point. The “POINT OF NO RETURN” may be weeks, months or years away. The United States should pull back diplomatic efforts and work on the Iran nuclear program in other ways.

The United States, first, should VETO any United Nations Security Council Resolution that does NOT call for a HALT in Iranian uranium enrichment. Uranium enrichment is NOT NEGOTIABLE.

Second, the United States should continue to build up the Missile Defense Agency and deploy an increasing number of ground and sea based interceptor sites in Europe and Asia.

Third, the United States should impose tough Visa and travel restrictions on Iran, including its students.

Fourth, the United States should restrict access to American banks and investment opportunities.

Fifth, Iranian reform groups should be encouraged and supported from within Iran.

These are just a few ideas…….

In other words – Walk Softly and Carry the Big Stick.

President Bush should immediately call off the “Big Dogs” and move onto other pressing issues. His policy so far has yielded “diplomatic cover” and , so, time to checkout and move on.

Stay tuned…….