Iranian Regime agrees to fully suspend its nuclear enrichment program

(From editorial in the 'Nameh Mardom', Central Organ of the Tudeh Party of Iran No. 700, 23rd November 2004)

The high-ranking officials of the Islamic regime during talks with Britain, Germany and France agreed to the terms offered and brought the Nuclear Enrichment Program to a full suspension. They did so from a weakened standpoint and without heeding the national interests of Iran. Hassan Rowhani, who is the head of the Iranian Security Council and is responsible for the Nuclear Program in Iran, announced on Sunday, November 14: '... Iran accepted the almost complete suspension of its Uranium enrichment and thus the threat of referring this subject to the U.N. Security Council was avoided.' Referring to the position of the Islamic Regime, he also added, 'The issue is not the cessation, the issue is suspension and a voluntary one at that ... we guarantee.' He further added, 'The Paris agreement is a preliminary agreement. In the final agreement the long-term interests of Iran and those interests deemed necessary by the Europeans will have to be fulfilled.... This agreement is based on the wide ranging future cooperation of Europe and Iran.'

Asefi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in explaining the details of the Paris Agreement reminded, 'The Agreement has a qualitative difference with previous arrangements. The issue has now become how Iran could continue its programs in such a way as to avoid causing any alarm to others.... No wrong has been done to Iran and emphasis has been put on the voluntary nature of the suspension by Iran.'

One has to emphasize, however, that despite what Rowhani and Asefi say, and despite the positions taken by others in the regime, the media in Europe and the United States have published various reports on the surrender of the Islamic Republic regime, and the efforts of this government on obtaining guarantees from the three mentioned European countries on its future.

In reality, the diplomacy of the regime has been put in such a stalemate that it could act in no other way. Noisy propaganda and lies generated by the faction loyal to the Supreme Leader and the words of Tavakoli in the parliament (Majlis) in opposition to the Paris Agreement has been manufactured more for its internal consumption and for deceiving the people than out of concern for the national interests and rights of Iran.

The important point here is that one has to clearly differentiate the dishonest position taken by the government and its public-relations campaigns from the rightful and honest opposition of the progressive forces within the country. This is, of course, an inherent difference.

Now, after the announcement that the demands of the Europeans have been met by the regime, the Islamic Republic is hoping that in the political and economic areas, and in security issues the European assurance will materialize.

According to Assefi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to pursue the assurances provided by the European Union, three committees have been formed: Nuclear Issues Committee, Political Security Issues Committee, and Economic Issues Committee.

The Islamic Republic was ready to accept the full suspension of Uranium enrichment only after meeting between Tony Blair and George Bush, during which the U.S. president announced that he supported the European negotiations with Iran. In addition, concurrent to the talks between the Iranian and the three European countries, British, French, and German companies reminded their respective governments that in the case of unsuccessful talks and if their business with Iran might damage their American investments, they will not be providing nuclear reactors to Iran.

In light of these events, the bankrupt diplomacy of the Iranian regime had no choice but to give in to the European demands!

One of the most important aspects of the agreement with Europe over the nuclear program and the suspension of the nuclear enrichment program is its clear effect on the internal political equations within Iran and the great shake-up it caused within the power structure and the partisan politics within the government.

From the very beginning of the talks it was clear that there were hidden signs and other more visible signs of tension between the political factions over nuclear issues, how to resolve them, and which faction would take charge of relations with Europe and the future relations with United States.

The reality is that the current resolution, which just happened at on the eve of a presidential election and other serious upheavals within the ruling class, has strengthened the positions of some people, groups and factions within the government and has eroded and weakened that of other factions, groups and people. And it continues to do so.

The position taken and what was said by Tavakoli, the oppressive regime's well known pawn inside the parliament, in opposition to the resolution and Rafsanjani's speech given during the Friday prayers, stating that the road to reaching an agreement with Europe is clear and is a very good indicator on the importance the aforementioned point.

Tavakoli and the groups associated to this view of the oppressive regime see public deception, clashing with the outside world, and other such adventures as being to their benefits and therefore, are attempting to keep the crisis unresolved. In doing so, they seek to bring about circumstances which will reinforce and stabilize their position.

This opposition to the Paris Resolution is mainly aimed at completely controlling the system and making it conform; thus it is very destructive, anti-national and extremely damaging. The agreement of elements such as Rafsanjani, Rowhani and groups related to them that are working for the survival of the regime is only the result of the profits they stand to gain.

By keeping the status quo they seek to reinforce their lucrative relationships with multi-national corporations in service of the international banks. The position taken by Mohammad Khatami who considered the Paris Agreement a great victory can also be considered with similar motives; meaning that it is rooted in the internal struggles and tensions of current dire situation.

In any event, any progressive and patriotic force would be relieved that the threat of war and its after effects have been avoided. But one has to be reminded that Iran's national interests and their fulfillment takes an undisputed precedence, especially in the current world affairs, and the location that Iran due to its geography has been placed in. And it cannot be overlooked for a moment.



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