Then there's this:
Hans Blix on Iran's Nuclear Program
In the run-up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, chief U.N. weapons
inspector Hans Blix was often chastised in the Western media by supporters
of the Bush administration who said the Swedish diplomat was "making
excuses" for dictator Saddam Hussein.
Since postwar inspections revealed that Iraq had no weapons of mass
destruction, the now-retired Blix has become a go-to guy for journalists
looking for informed commentary on nuclear proliferation issues.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the now-retired Blix
said he saw some similarities between the run-up to the Iraq war and the
current debate on Iran. With Iran resuming its nuclear enrichment program,
the Bush administration is again expressing fear about the nuclear ambitions
of major Islamic country.
"The West is painting itself into a corner," says Blix. "They have said that
Iran should refrain from all [uranium] enrichment while they are
negotiating, and now they cannot negotiate with them because Iran has
resumed it," he said.
The rotund Swedish politician does not dismiss Western concerns about Iran's
nuclear ambitions. He says it is Iran that has opted for confrontation,
"hyping" and "propaganda war."
"I think that Iran felt that the offers they were given were so miserable
that this was not negotiation, and so they opted on their side [to challenge
Europe and the United States]. I can have some understanding for that, but
this is part of the hyping, another propaganda war," he said.
Blix says he thinks the West has not offered Iran enough. Compared to what
has been offered to North Korea, U.S. offers to Iran have been "rather
miserable," he told RFE/RL.
Blix's blunt policy soundbyte is likely to impress his admirers and appall
his detractors.
"Iran should be offered about the same kind of things that North Korea has
been offered," he said.
By Jefferson Morley | Permalink* | Comments (52)
LawrenceThe above is from an Australian site and provides a bit more detail and background on the surgical strike option.
In response to those just itching to kill Iranians, may I suggest this commentary:
http://www.rand.org/commentary/082704LAT.html
I even find it a bit too militaristic, but then that's just me.
Mike Geary Memphis
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