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The hypocrisy of the interim nuclear deal with Iran

Nuclear Diplomacy: the Great Charade, The Humiliation of Iran CounterPunch,by CARL BOGGS, 4 Feb 14 Could the November interim agreement to curtail Iran’s nuclear program, orchestrated by the Obama administration and backed by four other nuclear powers, produce the diplomatic breakthrough eagerly anticipated by large sectors of world opinion?  Could something of an “historic compromise” between Iran and the West be in sight, reversing the long trajectory toward possible U.S. and/or Israeli military attack?   While President Obama concedes that prospects for a durable outcome are “probably less than 50-50”, reasons for stronger pessimism exist:  demand for nothing less than total Iranian capitulation on the part of Israel and its U.S. lobby, Congressional readiness to “ratchet-up” already crippling economic sanctions, the extreme one-sided character of negotiations, and, most crucially, the very bankruptcy of international nuclear diplomacy.

With the six-month negotiating initiative set in motion, made possible by a softening of Iranian bargaining points, the Senate – under pressure from the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and allied groups – was considering even harsher sanctions legislation, SB1881, supported to date by 59 Senators, including 16 Democrats.  Introduced by Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the bill would effectively scuttle an already-fragile diplomatic process, revisiting prospects for military action.   For the boldest anti-Iranian groups, that seems to be precisely the hope: if tightened sanctions fail to provoke system collapse and possibly regime change, or at least complete jettisoning of nuclear activity, then the military option returns full-force.  For such warmongering hopefuls, the existence of an Iranian nuclear program as such could be nothing more than an essentially manufactured threat, a pretext for war.

The problem with nuclear diplomacy today is that it amounts to little more than an outright political instrument of the global atomic powers, led by the U.S., exerting leverage through the United Nations Security Council and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).  In the months leading up to the interim deal Iran had been processing uranium at several locations, consistent with energy requisites (below 20 percent enrichment) and fully within its rights as longstanding member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).  That level was reduced by the November accords to five percent.  After much hard-line U.S. negotiating – and maneuvering — Iran was able to gain sanctions relief equivalent to just seven billion dollars in domestic product over six months, leaving it an object of international economic isolation, its energy, banking, and trade sectors gutted by byzantine restrictions and obstacles, its civilian economy in shambles, its population hit hard by extreme shortages and inflation.

Despite generous concessions from Tehran, moreover, the U.S. still refuses to accept Iranian entitlement to peaceful atomic development, although at least 40 other countries (among the 190 NPT signatories) are known to possess nuclear programs at various stages of refinement without having to face crushing sanctions

In Secretary of State John Kerry’s words: “There is no [Iranian] right to enrich uranium within the four corners of the NPT.  And this document [interim accords] does not do that.”  Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, denouncing the agreement as a treacherous “deal that keeps Iran’s nuclear train on track”, reiterated that nothing short of full Iranian abandonment of its nuclear program is thinkable – this from the militaristic leader of a nation with an arsenal of between 200 and 400 atomic warheads.  As in the past, Netanyahu wasted little opportunity in attacking the NPT, which Israel refuses to join, as “worthless”.

Joining forces with Israel and the lobby, Washington politicians in shamefully large numbers were still urging complete Iranian submission – on the feeble assumption that, as Senator Charles Schumer’s (D.-N.Y.) words, “Iran continues to be in hot pursuit of nuclear weapons.”   Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, insists the Iranian economy (that is, general population) must suffer material and social chaos so long as even the faintest signs of uranium enrichment remain…….http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/02/04/nuclear-diplomacy-the-great-charade/

 

February 5, 2014 Posted by | Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Nuclear deal with Iran buys time for getting a more permanent deal

Iran nuclear deal ‘not perfect’ but buys time, top U.S. official BY PATRICIA ZENGERLE AND ARSHAD MOHAMMED WASHINGTON Tue Feb 4, 2014 (Reuters) – An initial agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program was “not perfect” but it bought time to try to secure a comprehensive deal, a top U.S. official said on Tuesday in response to sharp criticism from Congress.

Major world powers struck an agreement with Iran on November 24 to offer Tehran an estimated $7 billion in sanctions relief in return for steps to restrain Iranian atomic activities. The deal called for negotiation of a full agreement within a year……http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/04/us-nuclear-iran-sherman-idUSBREA1312020140204

February 5, 2014 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Inquiry into alleged cheating by US sailors training to operate nuclear reactors

US navy investigates sailors for alleged cheating on nuclear reactor tests, Guardian 5 Feb 14 Inquiry to open into alleged cheating by sailors training to operate nuclear reactors on submarines and aircraft carriers The US navy is investigating alleged cheating on tests by senior enlisted sailors training on naval nuclear reactors, officials said Tuesday.

The naval criminal investigative service is conducting the probe, which involves allegations of cheating on tests related to the nuclear reactors that provide propulsion for navy submarines and aircraft carriers in the state of South Carolina.

It does not involve naval nuclear weapons and thus is not directly comparable to the air force’s investigation of alleged cheating by officers who operate land-based nuclear missiles……http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/04/us-navy-cheating-nuclear-reactors-tests

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Nuclear power in the USA struggles to expand – EIA`s 2014 energy report

 

AEO2014 Early Release Overview

Release Date: December 16, 2013   |  Full Report Release Date: Early Spring 2014

Extract

….Electricity generation from nuclear power plants grows by 5% in the AEO2014 Reference case, from 769 billion kWh in 2012 to 811 billion kWh in 2040, accounting for about 16% of total generation in 2040 (compared with 19% in 2012). Nuclear generating capacity decreases from 102 GW in 2012 to 98 GW in 2020 as new construction (5.5 GW) and uprates at existing plants (0.7 GW) are more than offset by retirements in several regions where existing nuclear units are facing challenging economic conditions. After 2025, a small amount of new nuclear capacity comes on line as natural gas prices rise. In 2040, overall nuclear capacity is back up to 102 GW. AEO2014 incorporates updated information from EIA data collections regarding planned nuclear plant construction and capacity uprates at existing units…..

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/er/early_elecgen.cfm

February 5, 2014 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Fast against Kudankulam n-plant ends

http://twocircles.net/2014feb05/fast_against_kudankulam_nplant_ends.html

By IANS,

5 February 2014

Chennai: An indefinite fast by the core committee members of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE) and some villagers against the Kudankulam nuclear power project came to an end on its fifth day Tuesday.

A PMANE statement said that as the health of the 11 people who went on a hunger strike turned worse and the central and state governments did not bother about it, the fast was ended at the request of community leaders.

It said the next course of protest will be decided Sunday.

For the past 904 days, the PMANE has been spearheading the anti-Kudankulam nuclear power project (KNPP) movement in Tirunelveli district, around 650 km from here.

The Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) is setting up two 1,000 MW Russian reactors at Kudankulam. The total outlay for the KNPP is over Rs.17,000 crore.

The first unit has started power generation and has been connected to the southern grid. Work on commissioning the second unit is in progress.

The NPCIL is also planning to set up two more units at Kudankulam, which is also being opposed by the PMANE.

According to the PMANE, the performance of the first two reactors should be tested by independent scientists.

People should also be told whether the 15 conditions laid down by the Supreme Court last year has been complied with.

The other demands of the PMANE are making public the site evaluation report, safety analysis report, VVER Reactors Performance Report and the emergency preparedness report.

The PMANE is also demanding withdrawal of 360 cases filed against around 270,000 people in the area.

The anti-nuclear power movement also urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to reject the setting up of the third and fourth units at Kudankulam.

February 5, 2014 Posted by | Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Azerbaijan invited to nuclear summit in Netherlands

…There is a need to do everything possible to get nuclear energy used for peaceful purposes, he added….
Tue 04 February 2014 10:45 GMT | 15:45 Local Time
http://www.news.az/articles/86298
125772

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has been invited to a nuclear security summit in the Netherlands.

It was announced by Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, 1news.az reports.

“Experience of Azerbaijan in nuclear field is interesting for Azerbaijan,” Timmermans said.

There is a need to do everything possible to get nuclear energy used for peaceful purposes, he added.

News.Az

February 5, 2014 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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