At least that’s the tease coming from Russian Pres. Medvedev after meeting with Pres. Obama yesterday.
“Russia’s position is clear: Sanctions rarely lead to productive results, but in some cases sanctions are inevitable,” Medvedev said in a joint appearance with Obama after their talks. [...] Medvedev said Wednesday that he and Obama discussed negotiations with Iran, including possible incentives, to help it “make the right decision.” … He then opened the door to sanctions, indicating a more unified approach to the issue. … – Medvedev signals openness to Iran sanctions after talks
On French television, President Nicolas Sarkozy was blunt: “… dialogue is achieving nothing. There will be a timeline, a date limit. In my mind, it’s the month of December.”
There is also a little dealing coming from Pres. Ahmadinejad having to do with their nuclear experts meeting with scientists from the U.S., hoping to calm nerves about Iran’s goals. However, there seems to also be an implied threat attached that wasn’t lost on anyone, as is reported by the Washington Post. The Albright referenced below is David Albright, a seasoned weapons expert who back in February said that Iran would “reach the first level of breakout capability” this year. Translation: enough low-enriched uranium to make one nuclear weapon.
Albright said Iran’s latest move is “clever” because there is “implied blackmail” behind the idea. If the material is not supplied, Iran could announce that it has no choice but to make the material, which is nearly 20 percent enriched; the material Iran is now producing is 3 to 5 percent enriched and suitable only for energy purposes. Allowing Iran to purchase the new material would require a waiver of international sanctions.
Can’t wait to hear the right spin Pres. Medvedev’s signals that he could be open to sanctions against Iran. Considering all the grief they gave Obama when he walked away from Bush’s missile defense plan, it will take some creative rhetorical acrobatics to get themselves out of this corner.
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