IRAN PROGRESSES IN A NUCLEAR FASHION 2/12/07

A European Union document states that Iran continues her progress in nuclear research. It's too late to stop. Whether or not the European Union or the rest of the world wants a nuclear-capable Iran, a nuclear-capable Iran is indeed in the offing. Although motivations and estimates vary, Iran shall have her piece of the nuclear pie.

Iran has centrifuges at the ready to produce uranium-enriched power although not quite on the large scale yet. Last year, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad refused all negotiations. Now, he may be ready for some talking. In a recent election, his buddies lost to more moderate and less hard-line candidates. Sanctions from the United Nations Security Council are already in place and the European Union plans to follow suit with sanctions of its own. The United States has a financial embargo ongoing against Iran, although some European countries are wont to join in that particular endeavor.

Last weekend, Javier Solanger and John-Walter Steinmeier met with Iran's Ali Larijani. Solanger represents the European Union's foreign policy concerns. Steinmeier is Germany's Foreign Minister. Larijani is Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary. But all of that may be for naught since Iran's President Ahmadinejah will not agree to suspend uranium-enrichment activities as a prerequisite to negotiations. The United Nations back on December 23 once again imposed a meaningless two month deadline for Iran to return to the deadlocked talks.

Iran does not want to be sanctioned. Mohammad-Ali Hosseini speaking on behalf of Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that Iranian officials are prepared to help Iranians offset any negative effects of any trade embargos if implemented on February 21rd. Hosseini also stated that the rights of Iran must be upheld as Iran has not violated any international laws in researching uranium enrichment.

Larijani wrote a letter to the International Atomic Energy Agency's President Mohamad El-Barade resolving to fix all conflicts over this matter within three weeks. Iran will cooperate with the I.A.E.A. and act within the framework of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran and some other countries don't like the idea that Israel has nuclear weaponry but that has not been addressed. Meanwhile, the Iranian centrifuges are being fed processed uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas as you read.

Verdict: One Big Mess which will not go away easily.

radical sapphoq

FORD IS DEAD AND HUSSEIN IS GONNA BE 12/26/06

Gerald Ford is dead. He was 93 years old. One of the lucky ones. He died at his ranch. He had a pacemaker which did help for a bit but ultimately his body gave out. The Fords have been married for about 60 years. Mrs. Betty Ford had her own battles with addiction and with breast cancer. Richard Nixon selected Gerald Ford to be his vice-president in the midst of the Watergate Scandal. Gerald Ford later pardoned Nixon. Ford was President during a difficult unpopular war and worked very hard to improve the fiscal practices of the government. In spite of political differences and a lost presidential race, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford reconciled in later life, becoming good buddies. Ford will be missed by many Americans. Saddam Hussein won't be.

Saddam Hussein has been sentenced to die by an Iraqi court for the deaths of 148 Shias in a small town north of Baghdad whose name is Dujail. He was sentenced on November 5th. Since his appeal fell today, he must be hung within thirty days of tomorrow-- 12/27/06. The European Union and a former U.S. Attorney General-- Ramsey Clark-- and the Human Rights Watch have all accused the trial as being part of a kangaroo court and/or have protested the death sentence.

Hussein may be tried separately for the Kurdish genocides which took place in the 1980s. His death sentence can be carried out at any time within the next 30 days, whether the next trial runs to its conclusion or not.

Saddam Hussein is not a nice guy. To him, regardless of the circumstances, I say "good riddance." I wonder though if he will kill himself rather than allow himself to be hung.

radical sapphoq