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US May Soften on Iran Civil Nuke Program

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2009 2:54 PM CDT

(Newser) – In negotiations with Iran, the Obama administration may be willing to accept less than a complete halt of uranium enrichment activities for civil use, the Financial Times reports. Insiders say an internal review of the administration’s policies now under way will take into account the apparently immovable stance of the Iranian regime. The “zero enrichment solution, though still favored, simply is unfeasible,” a watcher said.

“The US may still have zero as its opening position,” he continued, “while recognizing it may not be where things stand at the end.” A former State Department official agreed that the US would hold its current no-enrichment position, which the UN shares. “Obviously, no country wants to flag its fallback positions in advance.” Even President Obama seems to be hinting at a compromise: “Don’t develop a nuclear weapon,” he told Iran today, without mentioning the civil program.

The reactor building at the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran.
The reactor building at the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran.   (AP Photo)
The main building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant near the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr.
The main building of the Bushehr nuclear power plant near the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr.   (AP Photo)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama.
President Barack Obama.   (AP Photo)
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Across the political spectrum in Iran, enrichment as a right has become a non-negotiable position. - Trita Parsi, President, National Iranian American Council

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
ezrider
Apr 5, 2009 2:38 AM CDT
Good point riffran
riffran
Apr 4, 2009 4:22 AM CDT
I would rather not see any more mushroom clouds....but I dont trust that Mahmood character....stability of mind is not one of his known characteristics
Caps
Apr 4, 2009 3:09 AM CDT
Observer, your comment is so correct.

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