MrRant 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 EHRAN, Oct. 29 — Iran said Wednesday that it would not share intelligence with the United States on operatives of Al Qaeda or hand over Qaeda suspects in Iranian detention and would resume dialogue only after the United States undertakes what it termed measures to build confidence. It was not clear whether the United States would first have to restore diplomatic relations broken after the storming of the American Embassy in Tehran in the fall of 1979. "You cannot threaten from one side and freeze assets from the other side; level accusations from one side and then request dialogue from the other side; we need to see America's practical steps," the government spokesman, Abdullah Ramezanzadeh, told reporters. "They have leveled too many false accusations against us and they should stop that," he said. "They should also unfreeze our assets and lift the sanctions." Mr. Ramezanzadeh was responding to comments made Tuesday by Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, who signaled American willingness to hold limited talks with Iran. Mr. Armitage, striking a conciliatory tone, also said that the Bush administration did not favor "regime change" in Iran. By contrast, President Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address grouped Iran with Iraq and North Korea as an "axis of evil." The United States severed talks with Iran after a series of bombings in Saudi Arabia in May which the United States said were linked to groups based in Iran. Iran has denied the assertion. The United States had also asked Iran to turn over detained senior members of Al Qaeda. Mr. Ramezanzadeh said Wednesday that Iran had no security agreement with the United States to turn over the detainees. He said Iran had returned some detainees to nations with whom it had such security agreements and said the rest would be dealt with according to Iranian laws. Iran announced this week that it had given to the United Nations the names of 225 Qaeda members it had arrested. It said that nearly 78 of them had been returned to their nations of origin. "We believe that all countries should deal with terrorism and terrorist groups indiscriminately," Mr. Ramezanzadeh said. "We have also taken necessary measures against terrorism according to international regulations and do not need other countries to interfere in our affairs." The government of President Mohammad Khatami has come under increasing pressure from hard-liners since last week, when the government reached an agreement with the foreign secretaries of Britain, Germany and France to allow more intrusive inspections of its nuclear sites and to suspend enrichment of uranium. Hard-line militants, who oppose any restrictions on Iran's nuclear program, have accused the government and influential clerics who have sided with the government of undermining the nation's security. "We are worried about the kind of guarantees that our negotiators have received over our national security and sovereignty," a group of militant students wrote in a letter, the Jomhouri Islamic daily reported today. "How do we know that because of the nuclear agency's financial dependence on America, Iraq's experience would not repeat in Iran and American spies would not come under the guise of inspectors?" the letter asked. The agreement needs to be approved by Parliament before it can be enforced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 What a complete load of b.s. Iran is giving safe passage, and no doubt working with many high ranking Al Qaeda officials. They know the U.S. gov't won't cave in so they pull this bullshit stunt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1234-5678 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 KABOOM! Too bad America will look like the villain yet again. I think prosecuting terrorists is definitely valid, and if a country is working with them or refusing to hand them over for their punishment, then level the fuckers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 Iran's one of the better countries in that godforsaken area of the world. We should be reasonable with them, but certainly not do anything that's expressly counter to our own interests and security. And if we talk to them and they still refuse to hand over terrorists, we should bloody well go in and take them. Let's see if they want to negotiate then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dutchse.cx 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 Iran's one of the better countries in that godforsaken area of the world. All things considered, godforsaken's a pretty ironic word when used in conjuction with the Middle East. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Firestarter 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 Iran's one of the better countries in that godforsaken area of the world Not really. It has one of the more palatable people and one of the more reasonable presidents in that godforsaken area of the world, but neither the president nor the people have any appreciable degree of power. Until they do, the country itself, governed by the Ayatollah and the Council of Guardians, will remain one of the vilest places imaginable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 I have to agree with CM once again. Goddamn it she's dragging me away from the left side of the political spectrum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Renegade 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 What a complete load of b.s. Iran is giving safe passage, and no doubt working with many high ranking Al Qaeda officials. They know the U.S. gov't won't cave in so they pull this bullshit stunt. But Al Qaeda are Sonni muslims and most Iranians are Shia muslims, which accourding to Al Qaeda are an impure form of Islam that must be killed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 I don't think that matters. If both Sunni and Shiite's have a common enemy, than i'd think they'd be able to put aside differences and work together. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Renegade 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2003 I don't think that matters. If both Sunni and Shiite's have a common enemy, than i'd think they'd be able to put aside differences and work together. ...right, because that logic makes perfect sense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anakin Flair 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2003 And now we'll invade Iran. Oh, Joy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2003 I have to agree with CM once again. Goddamn it she's dragging me away from the left side of the political spectrum. Sometimes she takes my breath away. She makes me feel like a schoolgirl again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2003 I'd like to believe we can trust Iran and re-establish diplomatic relations with them. The Islamic government that's been ruling since the revolution probably won't last a whole lot longer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted October 31, 2003 I'd like to believe we can trust Iran and re-establish diplomatic relations with them. The Islamic government that's been ruling since the revolution probably won't last a whole lot longer. They could last a REALLY long time if left to their own devices. The youth of Iran have wanted them gone for years and they haven't done ANYTHING to approach it (even their "moderate" President needed the approval of the Church to run). Hopefully, a democratic Iraq will put serious pressure on the Iranian gov't, but they are a tough nut to crack. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted October 31, 2003 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
