Iran Nuclear Watch: Germany Can Accept Iranian Uranium Enrichment?

German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung gestures during an interview with Reuters at the defence ministry in Berlin, June 26, 2006. Picture taken June 26, 2006. Iran should be allowed to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes with close monitoring by U.N. inspectors to ensure that it is not trying to develop atomic weapons, Germany’s defence minister said.

Reuters: U.S. says Germany has assured it no divide over Iran

Germany has assured the United States there is no divide between its position and that of the major powers on the issue of Iran not enriching uranium in its nuclear program, the State Department said on Wednesday.

Deputy spokesman Adam Ereli, referring to a Reuters interview with Germany’s defense minister that suggested a split among major powers, said “there’s no division.”

He added that when asked to clarify their position, the Germans told Washington “this is an erroneous story.”

Reuters has the original piece which indicated a change of position of Germany toward Iranian uranium enrichment, Germany can accept nuclear enrichment in Iran

Iran should be allowed to enrich uranium for power generation provided there is close monitoring by U.N. inspectors to ensure it is not trying to develop atomic weapons, Germany’s defense minister said on Wednesday.

The Quotes:

In an interview with Reuters this week, Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung was asked if Iran should be allowed to enrich uranium under the scrutiny of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“I think so. The offer includes everything. That means the civilian use of nuclear energy is possible but not atomic weapons. And monitoring mechanisms must be applied. I think it would be wise for Iran to accept this offer,” he said.

Jung, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats, said he understood U.S. reservations but added that a ban on Iranian enrichment work was unrealistic.

“One cannot forbid Iran from doing what other countries in the world are doing in accordance with international law. The key point is whether a step toward nuclear weapons is taken. This cannot happen,” he said.

The German Defense Minister is reflecting the policy of Chancellor Merkel’s government?

Questionable.

If it is then why include Germany in the Big 6 ( P-5-plus-1 – five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany) proposal in the first place?

Allah’s concern is misplaced.

The Big 6 coalition is resolute. Uranium enrichment MUST stop before any further negotiations.

Yes or No?

But, we know what Iran’s decision will be since they covet nuclear weapons.

Ereli, at a daily news briefing, said: “We’ve all said Iran has theoretical right to nuclear energy but there needs to be specific guarantees, safeguards based on specific agreements. So their right to peaceful use of nuclear energy is not a subject of debate.”

He noted suggestions that “they (Iranians) had the right to enrich, and that’s really where I think some confusion might have been caused and what I wanted to dispel …There is no division. There is full and complete (major power) consensus on this very important point, and that has been reiterated to us by the German government.”

“We’ve been in touch with the German government. They have assured us that there’s no change in their policy; that they are firmly and completely with the P-5-plus-1 consensus on this. And that consensus is based on IAEA Board of Governors resolutions and U.N. Security Council resolutions,” Ereli added.

End of story?

Stay tuned……..