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Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Results are in; "Islamic Regime" a Threat
November 03, 2004
The Tennessean
tennessean.com
While the United States was intensely focused this week on the right leader for the nation in a time of war, Iran quietly poked a finger in the eye of all who value peace. The Iranian parliament voted to plunge ahead with the country's uranium enrichment program, and it made sure the whole world knew about it.
The hard-line parliament has 290 members; all of the 247 members who were present voted for the nuclear track. And, just in case anyone wondered about the spirit of the vote, there were some chants of ''Death to America'' that went along with it.
Britain, Germany and France have engaged Iran in negotiations recently in an attempt to curtail any plans by Iran to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says it is only interested in nuclear power as a source of energy, but no one should believe that claim. No decision laced with ''Death to America'' exclamations is a vote to keep the lights on.
Iran is a nuclear weapons threat, and European nations are right to use every negotiating tool available to convince Iran how big a mistake it would be to go down a nuclear weapons course. If Iran truly sees a need for energy, it will cut a deal with the negotiators, provide for the Iranian people and avert the risky business of nuclear weapons proliferation. The United States should keep an intense focus on Iran's intentions and work diligently with an international group to address the issue.
The Wall Street Journal this week pointed to a poll of Americans that asked what the top international concern should be for the next president: Most responded by saying it is the potential of nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea. Suicide bombings and other terrorist activity are chaotic acts of horror, but the use of nuclear weapons could make conventional acts of terrorism pale by comparison. The Journal also noted that 87% of a poll's respondents, when asked how best to fight terrorism, said they favor working through the United Nations to bolster international law.
Iran must know that its continued development of a nuclear threat will make it the enemy not just of the United States but of the world. That message needs to be delivered by an international chorus.
link to original article
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