US rejects Iran's nuclear fuel swap
Photo: AFP
ON 17th May Iran managed one of its "diplomatic coup" by bringing to Tehran Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Erdogan and President of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, (both countries being the current members of the UN Security Council) who negotiated a deal with Iran of a swap of nuclear fuel with Turkey. The deal has two elements: -Iran to ship 1200 kilograms or 2,640 pounds of low enriched uranium to Turkey where it would be stored. -In exchange, after one year, Iran would have the right to receive about 265 pounds of material enriched to 20% per cent from Russia and France. Iranian officials applauded the deal as a breakthrough, with President Ahmadinejad saying at a news conference that the agreement would be "to the benefit of all nations who want to live freely and independently". Officials said on Iranian state TV that the next step would be to agree to terms for the exchange with the Vienna Group - an informal grouping that includes Russia, the US, France and the IAEA. The announcement of the deal appeared to aim at satisfying Western demands and came at a time when Iran faces new UN sanctions, proposed by the US and allies. The deal, according to Iranian government leaders, could well undermine the Obama administration's chances of approval for punitive sanctions against Iran. Russia and China, which have been very reluctant to impose sanctions on a major trading partner (Iran), could end discussions about further measures. The swap deal is similar to the one the West proposed in October that fell apart when Iran backtracked. Speaker of Parliament Ali Larijani and his brother Sadeq Larijani, the head of judiciary, undermined President Ahmadinejad by pointing out that the deal would violate Iran's inalienable right to use peaceful nuclear energy and that the West was trying to "cheat" Iran. They were not eager to see Ahmadinejad take credit for resolving the nuclear issue and thawing relations with the US, analysts said. It is reported that the deep division among Iranian leaders that emerged after the Presidential election had reportedly complicated, if not undermined, the ability to resolve the nuclear issue with the West. Why the deal falls short?Since October Iran continued its enrichment programme, adding to the stockpiles. In October 1200 kilograms that Iran was supposed to ship out of the country represented about two-thirds of its stockpile. By May this year, the 1200 kilograms account for a smaller portion of its declared stockpile. It is reported by experts that the amount is believed to represent a little more than half its current stockpile and Iran would have sufficient enriched uranium to pursue a nuclear weapon. Given the change in scenario, the US and its allies rejected the deal. On18th May, the Obama administration announced that it had struck a deal with major powers, including Russia and China, to impose new sanctions, a sharp repudiation of the deal Tehran offered just one day before to ship its nuclear fuel out of the country. Although the US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton acknowledged the efforts of Turkey and Brazil leaders to have a deal with Iran, there were a number of unanswered questions regarding Iran's announcement. Clinton told a Senate Committee "We plan to circulate the draft resolution to the entire Security Council." It is reported that one of the critical sections of the draft resolution contained that all nations would be authorized to search cargo ships heading into or out of Iran for suspected weapons, nuclear technology or other cargo prohibited by previous UN resolutions. Other elements of the proposed sanctions are aimed at Iranian financial institutions including those that support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, proposed sanctions relating to Iran's oil and gas industry were removed due to opposition from Russia and China, which have vast investments and interests in Iran's energy sector. What the US and its allies want is to pressure Iran to give up its uranium enrichment programme because the know-how of enrichment can be used to make nuclear bombs. Expert say if a country enriches uranium up to 3% per cent which is suitable to generate electricity, it has done nearly three-quarters of the work needed to move along the road to 90% per cent enrichment, which is what is required to make a nuclear bomb. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear development programme is intended to produce civilian energy but the US and its allies have pointed that Iran has not complied with the NPT obligations for permitting the UN watchdog IAEA unfettered inspections to all of its nuclear facilities. Fate of New Sanctions
Although there could be general agreement on new sanctions among the permanent members of the Security Council including China and Russia, insiders say China may not agree to all the measures contained in the draft resolution since Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has stated on May 17th (from Tunisia) that China has noted the deal brokered by Turkey and Brazil and "expresses its welcome and appreciation for the diplomatic efforts made by the parties involved to seek an appropriate solution to the Iran nuclear issue". No wonder Clinton paid a four-day visit from 21 May to China to discuss among other things the contents of the draft resolution. Turkey is annoyed that the deal that was brokered by Turkey at the encouragement of the US has not been acceptable to the US. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuotglu reportedly said "What they wanted us to do was give the confidence to Iran to do the swap. We have done our duty." Turkey shares a large border with Iran and has a very important and growing energy relationship with the Islamic Republic. Turkey is concerned about Iran's nuclear program, but cannot support US or P5+1 policies that seek to isolate the regime. They believe that this is a tactical mistake and a risk Turkey cannot afford to take. The Turks believe that more diplomacy can lead to a successful outcome. Some analysts say further sanctions will not change Iran's nuclear programme and last year President Obama at the UN called for a new era of shared responsibilities. Turkey and Brazil did that and what did they get from the US? They got snubbed.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments