Thursday, October 30, 2003

Iran Demands Concessions


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."


Get the rest of the story from the "fair and balanced" New York Times.

Matt's Chat

False accusations? It seems clear to me that Iran has been supporting terrorists by allowing them to live, work, and operate from Iran. They aren't denying that they have al Queda terrorists. What false accusations is Iran demanding that we stop? I've not heard any...

Mark's Remarks

When you Iranians allow your people to vote, when you Iranians quit with the exercises in medieval torture you call a justice system, when you Iranians come clean about your terror camps and the way you still continue to support them, then the sanctions will be lifted....until then...have a day....

Iran is looking more delusional by the moment...however, I am sure the UN will buy it, as they seem willing to take anyone's assent or notions these days....The United States does not negotiate with terrorists, and Iran has allied themselves with the terrorists by not providing intelligence. If they truly want to be seen as being less fanatical, and welcomed into civilization, then the onus IS ON THEM to prove they are at that point. It is not up to the United States to give, give give until it hurts. That is the way of appeasement, and we have seen (WWII) where that leads.