Peace activist claims Iran keen to compromise on nuclear issue, Cheney, Rumsfeld allegedly block negotiations
{{date|April 29, 2006}}

Veteran anti-nuclear activist and journalist [[w:Praful Bidwai|Praful Bidwai]] claims that while [[w:Iran|Iranian]] authorities "will not sacrifice <nowiki>[Iran's]</nowiki> rights under the [[w:Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty|Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)]] to engage in peaceful activities, including uranium enrichment for power generation", they are also "keen to reach a deal or compromise on the nuclear issue" and "are also working diplomatic channels to let it be known that Tehran wants talks which will lead to a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue." 

The alternative news website [[w:Raw Story|Raw Story]] published a story on April 20 that alleged [[w:United States|United States]] vice-president [[w:Dick Cheney|Dick Cheney]] and Secretary of Defense [[w:Donald Rumsfeld|Donald Rumsfeld]] have obstructed the progress of diplomatic discussions which could help solve the conflict between the United States and Iran. The conflict involves the alleged [[w:2005-2006 US-Israeli threats to attack Iran|plan of attack on Iran]] led by the United States, and Iran's alleged [[w:Iran and weapons of mass destruction#Nuclear_weapons|intention to develop nuclear weapons]].  Diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran have remained suspended since 1980, following the Iranian hostage crisis.

The website alleges that information from several different unnamed sources claim that expatriate arms dealer [[w:Manucher Ghorbanifar|Manucher Ghorbanifar]], a key figure in the [[w:Iran-Contra Affair|Iran-Contra Affair]], has been ordered by US authorities to monitor and report on "any interaction and attempts at negotiations between Iranian officials and US ambassador to Iraq, [[w:Zalmay Khalilzad|Zalmay Khalilzad]]." Raw Story also claims that sources "close to the [[w:United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]]", a "high ranking intelligence official" and another "intelligence source" attributed the failure of the recent attempts at direct contacts between Khalilzad and Iranian officials as "part of an ongoing attempt by Cheney and Rumsfeld to squash diplomatic activities". The claims of the Internet publication's allegations have not yet been independently verified.

In addition, the Raw Story also claims that [[w:United States Congress|US House of Representatives]] Intelligence Committee Chairman [[w:Peter Hoekstra|Peter Hoekstra]] (R-MI) "approved using Ghorbanifar as an intermediary" and "attended at least one meeting in Paris with [[w:Curt Weldon|Curt Weldon]] (R-PA) and [[w:Harold Rhode|Harold Rhode]] to meet with Ghorbanifar."

Bidwai states that Dr. [[w:Hasan Rowhani|Hasan Rowhani]], a member of the [[w:Supreme National Security Council|Supreme National Security Council]] chosen by Iranian head of state [[w:Ayatollah Khamenei|Ayatollah Khamenei]], as saying that Iran is prepared to suspend its uranium enrichment for a short time.

On April 18, when asked whether US action against Iran could include a strike using [[w:USA and weapons of mass destruction|nuclear weapons]], U.S. President [[w:George W. Bush|George W. Bush]] answered "All options are on the table. We want to solve this issue diplomatically and we're working hard to do so."


{{wikipediapars|[[w:Politics of Iran|Politics of Iran]], [[w:Iran-Contra Affair|Iran-Contra Affair]]}}

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{{Audio|C_R_allegedly block negotiations.ogg|2006-05-02}}




==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Iran nuclear impasse continues|date=April 28, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=Kucinich asks Bush about alleged US support for armed insurgency in Iran|date=April 21, 2006}}
*{{wikinews|title=US allegedly committed acts of violence in Iran using ex-members of MEK during past year|date=April 18, 2006}}

==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Cheney_has_tapped_Iranian_expatriate_arms_0420.html
|title=Cheney has tapped Iranian expatriate, arms dealer to surveil discussions with Iran, officials say
|author=Larisa Alexandrovna
|pub=Raw Story
|date=April 20, 2006 }}
*{{source|url=http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33030
|title= Iran Defiant, but Ready to Deal
|author=Praful Bidwai
|pub=Inter Press Service
|date= April 28, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.campaigniran.org/casmii/page/p/Bush-wont-rule-out-nuclear-strike-on-Iran
|title=Bush won't rule out nuclear strike on Iran
|author=Reuters
|pub=Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran
|date=April 18, 2006}}

[[category:Iran]]
[[category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Nuclear proliferation]] 
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Nuclear power]]
[[Category:Nuclear weapons]]
Veteran anti-nuclear activist and journalist Praful Bidwai claims that while Iranian authorities "will not sacrifice  rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to engage in peaceful activities, including uranium enrichment for power generation", they are also "keen to reach a deal or compromise on the nuclear issue" and "are also working diplomatic channels to let it be known that Tehran wants talks which will lead to a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue." 

The alternative news website Raw Story published a story on April 20 that alleged United States vice-president Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld have obstructed the progress of diplomatic discussions which could help solve the conflict between the United States and Iran. The conflict involves the alleged plan of attack on Iran led by the United States, and Iran's alleged intention to develop nuclear weapons.  Diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran have remained suspended since 1980, following the Iranian hostage crisis.

The website alleges that information from several different unnamed sources claim that expatriate arms dealer Manucher Ghorbanifar, a key figure in the Iran-Contra Affair, has been ordered by US authorities to monitor and report on "any interaction and attempts at negotiations between Iranian officials and US ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad." Raw Story also claims that sources "close to the UN Security Council", a "high ranking intelligence official" and another "intelligence source" attributed the failure of the recent attempts at direct contacts between Khalilzad and Iranian officials as "part of an ongoing attempt by Cheney and Rumsfeld to squash diplomatic activities". The claims of the Internet publication's allegations have not yet been independently verified.

In addition, the Raw Story also claims that US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) "approved using Ghorbanifar as an intermediary" and "attended at least one meeting in Paris with Curt Weldon (R-PA) and Harold Rhode to meet with Ghorbanifar."

Bidwai states that Dr. Hasan Rowhani, a member of the Supreme National Security Council chosen by Iranian head of state Ayatollah Khamenei, as saying that Iran is prepared to suspend its uranium enrichment for a short time.

On April 18, when asked whether US action against Iran could include a strike using nuclear weapons, U.S. President George W. Bush answered "All options are on the table. We want to solve this issue diplomatically and we're working hard to do so."


category:Iran
category:Politics and conflicts
Nuclear proliferation Middle East Nuclear power Nuclear weapons