Memo to Tehran

Feb. 21, 2005 - Iran reiterated on Monday that it would not bow to U.S. and European demands that it abandon uranium enrichment, stressing that its nuclear capability was "not for sale."


That is from a Reuters news wire article. Unfortunately for Iran, nobody is looking to “buy” them out of their nuclear program. Rather, the United States and Europe recognize that a) Iran is not operating a purely peaceful nuclear power program and b) both Europe and the United States are, in keeping with their cultures of generosity and progressiveness, trying to give Iran an incentive other than the threat of violent action to cease their clandestine nuclear weapons program.

Let me say that again so it is perfectly clear. The offers being made by Europe and the United States are not attempts to bribe Iran into halting its activities, but rather are evidence of the West’s desire to use force only as a last resort, preferring instead to try to bring Iran deeper into the fold of the global community.

The current Ayatollah and his ruling cadre of hard-line clerics should take note, because there is an expiration date on the current offers and rhetoric. A nuclear Iran cannot be tolerated by the United States or Europe (allies of each included), and such a situation will be prevented by violent means IF necessary.

So, Ayatollah Khameini, distinguished leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, do not say that you were given no alternatives, and do not say that nuclear weapons are your right.

Nobody wishes to deny you nuclear power and I, for one, am willing to listen to your explanations with an open mind. I can understand the rationale of wishing to free up natural fuels (oil and gas) for export to assist your burgeoning economy, and I can understand the attractiveness of nuclear energy to make this possible.

However, I cannot listen to such explanations while you decline to expose the full length and breadth of your nuclear activities to the world (IAEA inspectors). You claim to pursue only peaceful power, I wish I could believe you. If you want to demonstrate that Iran is an honorable country that is (or should be) an equal partner in world events, accept proposals for the import of nuclear fuel and the export of nuclear waste under the watchful eye of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Renounce any claim to the ‘right’ of indigenous nuclear fuel cycle beyond the eyes of the world, and a peaceful power program will be yours with our help.

Yet you refuse to do this, and you continue to raise suspicions. The only explanation is that you seek weapons. You have violated your treaty (Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty [NPT], and Additional Protocols [which, by the way, you really ought to ratify as a sign of good faith]) obligations and when confronted with the evidence, you have done a little song and dance.

The West and indeed the World expects you to come clean, and doing so would be an enormous step in the right direction.