They hate US, but can't do without US

EU, Iran Nuclear Deal Seen Doomed Without U.S. Help

Reuters, Vienna

Excerpts:

VIENNA (Reuters) - A European deal aimed at freezing Iran's nuclear fuel program in exchange for peaceful atomic technology and other incentives will never work if Washington is not directly involved, diplomats and an analyst said on Monday.

Over the weekend, diplomats from France, Britain and Germany reached a preliminary agreement with Iranian negotiators under which Tehran would suspend its uranium enrichment program for an unspecified period, while negotiating a larger package of economic and political benefits with the European Union (news - web sites).

The United States, which accuses Iran of using its atomic energy program as a front for developing weapons, said the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be able to verify any Iranian suspension of enrichment activities.

"Ultimately it's what Iran does that matters, not just what they might agree to," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters in Washington.

(snip)

If approved by the four capitals, the deal will stop the IAEA from referring Iran to the U.N. Security Council when it meets on Nov. 25, as Washington has demanded for over a year.

"In the long run, I don't think this deal can work without the U.S. buying into it," David Albright, a former U.N. weapons inspector and head of the Institute for Science and International Security think-tank, told Reuters.
Albright said the deal can work for six months or so, but not for the medium or long term.

"One problem is that Iran can suspend for six months, then resume enrichment and somehow blame the EU," he added.

Several diplomats said the Iranians might suspend enrichment now to avoid the Security Council, then pick a fight with the EU sometime after the Nov. 25 IAEA meeting and begin preparing for the actual enrichment of uranium -- a process of purifying uranium for use as fuel in reactors or weapons.

"Iran has the parts for 1,100 to 1,200 (enrichment) centrifuges and is eager to put a cascade together," said one non U.S. diplomat.

"The next stage for Iran will be announcing that they are setting up a pilot enrichment cascade but not enriching any uranium."

Mata Musing:

Another story to keep a close eye on. Keep in mind that, in the past week, China has adamantly refused to agree to have the IAEA refer the Iran/nuke issue to the Security Council.

In the meantime, the predictable blackmail by the axis of evil countries, seeking economic benefits in exchange for NOT developing nuclear WMDs continues unabated.

Amazing that, for all the bally hoo and vindictive smears at Americans, the EU membership fully recognize that it is our economy and trade that keeps them afloat financially. They may hate us and our power... but they can't do without us.