Iran laughs at the impotent UN
Iran laughed at the impotent United Nations after being "reported" by the IAEA.
Iran watched Iraq game the system for 12 years and knows that with the support of Russia and China there is little the United Nations can do to it. Russia and China again ran interference for Iran, blocking any action against Iran for at least a month in return for adding their votes in support of the "reporting".
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - The International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran to the U.N. Security Council on Saturday over fears it wants to produce nuclear arms, raising the stakes in the diplomatic confrontation and prompting Tehran to threaten immediate retaliation.
Of the board's 35 member nations, 27 voted for referral, reflecting more than two years of intense lobbying by the United States and its allies - and growing concerns about Iran's true nuclear aims.
Washington critics Cuba, Venezuela and Syria voted against referral, and the other five nations abstained.
Still, the near consensus came at a price for Washington. Long an advocate of firm Security Council action against Iran, including possible political and economic sanctions, the Americans had to settle for what is essentially symbolic referral, for now.
After years of opposition, Russia and China backed the referral last week, bringing support from other nations - including India - that had been waiting for their lead. But in return, Moscow and Beijing demanded that the Americans - and France and Britain, the two other veto-wielding Security Council members - agree to let the Iran issue rest until at least March.
It looks like the IAEA is in line for another Nobel Prize when Iran produces nuclear weapons after being awarded one for sitting idly by while India, Pakistan and North Korea produced nuclear weapons and Saddam Hussein barred inspectors from Iraq.
I hope no one is seriously relying on the United Nations to prevent World War III.
Iran watched Iraq game the system for 12 years and knows that with the support of Russia and China there is little the United Nations can do to it. Russia and China again ran interference for Iran, blocking any action against Iran for at least a month in return for adding their votes in support of the "reporting".
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - The International Atomic Energy Agency reported Iran to the U.N. Security Council on Saturday over fears it wants to produce nuclear arms, raising the stakes in the diplomatic confrontation and prompting Tehran to threaten immediate retaliation.
Of the board's 35 member nations, 27 voted for referral, reflecting more than two years of intense lobbying by the United States and its allies - and growing concerns about Iran's true nuclear aims.
Washington critics Cuba, Venezuela and Syria voted against referral, and the other five nations abstained.
Still, the near consensus came at a price for Washington. Long an advocate of firm Security Council action against Iran, including possible political and economic sanctions, the Americans had to settle for what is essentially symbolic referral, for now.
After years of opposition, Russia and China backed the referral last week, bringing support from other nations - including India - that had been waiting for their lead. But in return, Moscow and Beijing demanded that the Americans - and France and Britain, the two other veto-wielding Security Council members - agree to let the Iran issue rest until at least March.
It looks like the IAEA is in line for another Nobel Prize when Iran produces nuclear weapons after being awarded one for sitting idly by while India, Pakistan and North Korea produced nuclear weapons and Saddam Hussein barred inspectors from Iraq.
I hope no one is seriously relying on the United Nations to prevent World War III.