Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., December 02, 2009 Kislev 15, 5770 | | Israel Time: 11:45 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Jewish World Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Focus U.S.A. Strenger than Fiction Business Travel Magazine Week's End Anglo File Books
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the country's nuclear plant in Natanz.
(Archive/AP)
Share |
Last update - 21:05 03/10/2009
Obama: We'll mull 'sanctions that bite' if Iran nuclear talks fail
By Yossi Melman, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and News Agencies
Tags: Israel news, IAEA, Haaretz TV 
U.S., France, U.K., demand access after Iran informs UN of existence of second uranium enrichment plant.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday the United States preferred diplomacy in dealing with Iran over its nuclear program, but would consider imposing "sanctions that bite" if the diplomatic track did not work.

Obama, speaking at a news conference at the end of a Group of 20 summit, would not go into details about what potential sanctions might be considered. The United States and other Western countries blasted Iran on Friday over its construction of a second nuclear plant.

Obama warned Iran on Friday that it was "on notice" and said it would have to "come clean" about its disputed nuclear program at a meeting of world powers on Oct. 1.
Advertisement
"The international community has spoken. It is now up to Iran to respond," Obama told a news conference after a Group of 20 summit of rich and developing nations.

He said he did not want to speculate on possible courses of actions, but added: "We do not rule out any options when it comes to U.S. security interests."

Meanwhile, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also said on Friday that if Iran does not cooperate at an Oct. 1 meeting with world powers, then "other methods" should be used to deal with Tehran's nuclear program.

Moscow has long resisted the West's campaign to level harsh sanctions against Iran, though it has recently shown greater signs of flexibility on the issue.

Earlier in the day, Obama stood with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to accuse Iran of building a secret nuclear fuel plant.

Using harsh diplomatic language, the three leaders issued a strongly worded joint condemnation Friday over the existence of a second Iran uranium enrichment plant, revealed earlier this week by Tehran.

Appearing together to issue a statement ahead of the opening of the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh, all three condemned the actions of the Iranian government, and warned that Tehran has a limited deadline to comply with international requirements or face tighter sanctions.

Speaking first, Obama said that the three nations had presented the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, with detailed information regarding the second Iranian plant.

"Iran has been building a covert uranium enrichment facility... for several years," Obama said. "We expect the IAEA to immediately investigate this disturbing information."

"Iran's decision to build the nuclear plant underscores its unwillingness to meet international obligations and represents a direct challenge to the basic contract at the center of the non-proliferation agreement," he went on. "Iran is breaking rules that all nations must follow."

Sarkozy warned that Iran has until December to change its approach to international concerns about its nuclear program, or "sanctions will have to be taken."

"Everything must be put on the table now," Sarkozy said. "Iran is taking the international community on a dangerous path and we cannot let the Iranian leaders gain time while the [centrifuge] motors are running."

Brown, meanwhile, mentioned an October deadline for Iranian cooperation, and warned of the dangers of the regime's program.

"Iran's nuclear program is the most urgent proliferation challenge the world faces today," Brown said. "The level of deception by the Iranian goverment... will shock and anger the whole international community, and harden our resolve."

"we are prepared to implement further and more stringent sanctions against Iran if it doesn't comply with UN Security Council resolutions by October 1," Brown said.

Following Brown's statements, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Friday "no sane person" would want a military conflict with Iran over its nuclear ambitions and he believed diplomacy could settle the dispute.

The IAEA earlier Friday demanded access to the second plant, which it was informed of by Tehran on Monday.

Two officials told the Associated Press on Friday that Iran revealed the existence of the second plant in a letter sent to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei.

IAEA spokesman Marc Vidricaire confirmed receipt of the letter, saying the agency was informed that a new pilot fuel enrichment plant is under construction. The letter said that the plant would not enrich uranium beyond the 5 percent level suitable for civilian energy production. That would be substantially below the threshold of 90 percent or more needed for a weapon.

Iran told the agency that no nuclear material has been introduced into the facility, he said. In response, the IAEA has requested Iran to provide specific information and access to the facility as soon as possible.

Israel and the West have warned that Iran is engaged in a secret nuclear arms program. Iran has denied this claim, maintaining that its program is purely civilian.

The officials said that Iran's letter contained no details about the location of the second facility, when - or if - it had started operations or the type and number of centrifuges it was running.

But one of the officials, who had access to a review of Western intelligence on the issue, said it was about 160 kilometers (100 miles) southwest of Tehran and was the site of 3,000 centrifuges that could be operational by next year.

The officials who spoke to the AP - one from a European government with access to IAEA information and the other a diplomat in Vienna from a country accredited to the IAEA - demanded anonymity Friday because their information was confidential. One said he had seen the Iranian letter. The other told the AP that he had been informed about it by a UN official.

Iranian officials had previously acknowledged having only one plant - which is under IAEA monitoring - and had denied allegations of undeclared nuclear activities.

An August IAEA report said Iran had set up more than 8,000 centrifuges to churn out enriched uranium at its cavernous underground facility outside the southern city of Natanz. The report said that only about 4,600 centrifuges were fully active.

Ahmadinejad made no mention of the plant during his visit this week to New York for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, and rather stressed the fact that Iran had fully cooperated with the IAEA inspectors and that allegations of a nuclear weapons program are fabrications.

On Friday, Iran state media said the second plant was working within the framework of IAEA regulations, and is "preserving Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy".


Related articles:
  • Exiled Iranians name sites of alleged nuclear bomb research
  • ANALYSIS / Clock ticking for Iran as Israel appears ready for strike
  • UN Security Council calls for nuclear weapons states to disarm
    • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Demjanjuk on trial
    Second day in John Demjanjuk trial opens with testimonies of families victims.
    Dividing Jerusalem
    Haaretz obtains EU draft calling for Jerusalem to be shared.
      1.   WOW 11:56  |  Peter 25/09/09
      2.   undeclared facility(s) v. tiny israel 12:08  |  FAJR V 25/09/09
      3.   If Iran has declared it, then it`s not a secret. 12:21  |  Truth 25/09/09
      4.   Nobody cares. 12:29  |  Michael 25/09/09
      5.   It seems that the greater truth is ... 12:31  |  Esther 25/09/09
      6.   Obama will accuse and then what? 12:39  |  *BEN JABO 25/09/09
      7.   ElBaradie & Iran Nuke 12:55  |  The Teacher/Instruct 25/09/09
      8.   Truth #3 - you`re making declarations? 13:06  |  S 25/09/09
      9.   This could be interesting 13:06  |  Mark Lincoln 25/09/09
      10.   Further evidence of the need to return Iran 13:20  |  Mark Lincoln 25/09/09
      11.   The Times Story has more details 13:39  |  Mark Lincoln 25/09/09
      12.   A best guess 13:42  |  Mark Lincoln 25/09/09
      13.   An iranian message to America 14:09  |  Siad 25/09/09
      14.   El Baradei needs to get the boot 14:11  |  Peter Williams 25/09/09
      15.   I don`t get it... 14:12  |  Khaled 25/09/09
      16.   #5 you are too wrong 14:15  |  Siad 25/09/09
      17.   :: What about Israel? 14:17  |  Matty Groves 25/09/09
      18.   THIS IS BIG 14:19  |  tonylee73 25/09/09
      19.   What is not being said 14:52  |  Rabbi Izzy Lahm 25/09/09
      20.   Iran declared it because their secret got out! 15:04  |  Murray of Montreal 25/09/09
      21.   DEFCON - Timetable Just Got Adjusted 15:12  |  Robert 25/09/09
      22.   Watchdog? 15:14  |  John 25/09/09
      23.   Why Israel but not Iran? 15:17  |  Manny Goldstein 25/09/09
      24.   Y being stupid, Iran?! Has Israel EVER sent a letter to IAEA? NO! 15:49  |  cooly 25/09/09
      25.   The stupidity of the World Powers 16:00  |  Linda Sp 25/09/09
      26.   Ultimatum over second Iran uranium plant 16:15  |  Harold 25/09/09
      27.   Iran 16:15  |  oz 25/09/09
      28.   what are we waiting for?? 16:17  |  Ruben 25/09/09
      29.   West will react harshly and Russia won`t be able to stop it 16:21  |  Radical Chick 25/09/09
      30.   If it`s near Qom... 16:22  |  Benjamin 25/09/09
      31.   If you don`t stop this nonsense 16:27  |  H 25/09/09
      32.   IInd site 16:31  |  Free 25/09/09
      33.   What did we say?remember? 16:34  |  Yaron 25/09/09
      34.   Iran will allow inspections - thats the goal of the "second" site 16:38  |  Barry Wheaton 25/09/09
      35.   Stop Iran! 16:46  |  Robert 25/09/09
      36.   Just switch Israel in the place of Israel 16:46  |  Edgard 25/09/09
      37.   Lying To G-d & Man As Both Are Seen As Kefirs 16:49  |  Lavi 25/09/09
      38.   The Iranian reformers must overthrow the mullahs 17:06  |  Murray of Montreal 25/09/09
      39.   #5; Michael; Are you blind? 17:14  |  Ian Robertson 25/09/09
      40.   Sarkozism is the lowest form of wit 17:16  |  ky 25/09/09
      41.   #1. WOW 17:21  |  Jonathan Howard 25/09/09
      42.   Hard line appeasement 17:22  |  Guy 25/09/09
      43.   Obama extended his hand to Iran in friendship 17:29  |  *BEN JABO 25/09/09
      44.   Another Iranian Nuclear Facility 17:30  |  Gary 25/09/09
      45.   #4 Michael - UK Wrong as per usual 17:33  |  *BEN JABO 25/09/09
      46.   Without support from China, Russia and Germany ... 17:34  |  Chaim Gorenstein 25/09/09
      47.   The UN International Atomic Agency is worthless 17:35  |  Yonatan 25/09/09
      48.   France, Great Brit & USA 17:37  |  Stephen 25/09/09
      49.   The Holy city of Qom 17:51  |  The Prophet 25/09/09
      50.   Esther UH? 17:51  |  CJ 25/09/09
      51.   BEN JABO Read the NPT there`s no breech 17:53  |  CJ 25/09/09
      52.   While we`re at it... 17:58  |  White Russian 25/09/09
      53.   Truth? Not at all, it shows the Iranians lied again 19:39  |  Joe Sittizen 25/09/09
      54.   World enraged that Iran has 100% abided by the NPT 19:57  |  binny 25/09/09
      55.   Iran 20:01  |  ABH 25/09/09
      56.   The Prophet GC 1V Article 53??? 20:04  |  CJ 25/09/09
      57.   Mark Lincoln - The additional protocols are NOT obligatory 20:19  |  CJ 25/09/09
      58.   Such a poor "ultimatum" just tells Iran there is no cost 20:27  |  Laura Wellesley 25/09/09
      59.   Iran breaking rules that all nations must follow? 20:32  |  jim the mechanic 25/09/09
      60.   Iran 20:48  |  Jethro 25/09/09
      61.   poor esther..... 21:03  |  Connie 25/09/09
      62.   Israel didn`t know about it 21:05  |  James 25/09/09
      63.   #54 To Jethro - WW3 will not begin 21:13  |  Urani Diot 25/09/09
      64.   The USA knew? 21:25  |  Rigoletto 25/09/09
      65.   Secret nukes? I`m horrified. Bet they are in Dimona too. 21:46  |  Michael 25/09/09
      66.   an overwhelming multilateral strike is the only solution 21:53  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 25/09/09
      67.   who`s afraid of the big bad wolf? 22:37  |  ivo 25/09/09
      68.   Spot on, Cipora (#66) 22:48  |  Morris Valentine 25/09/09
      69.   #68, MV, Ahmadinejad is waiting for the Mahdi 23:18  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 25/09/09
      70.   The worlds choice: WW3 or nuclear deterrent...??? 01:20  |  Swiss (Dino) 26/09/09
      71.   # 67 Sorry, ivo, but we have heard those "if only" promises.... 01:24  |  Swiss (Dino) 26/09/09
      72.   So Iran has not violated anything 01:28  |  Butros Dahu 26/09/09
      73.   obama is a sell out 01:53  |  parsi 26/09/09
      74.   Cipora & Morris Valentine - Where`s Germany`s & Israel`s 02:13  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/09/09
      75.   #66 Then I suggest that the IDF start straight away, Cipora 02:15  |  Johnboy 26/09/09
      76.   hypocrisy and doublestandards 02:49  |  gepay 26/09/09
      77.   The plant is in construction - Not operational 03:10  |  Marc Leb 26/09/09
      78.   We`ll mull `sanctions that bite` if Iran nuclear talks fail 03:12  |  R C 26/09/09
      79.   #4 michael UK and his SOUR GRAPES 03:22  |  CK Tan 26/09/09
      80.   The worst thing the west ever did was give Israel nuclear weapons 03:23  |  Marc Leb 26/09/09
      81.   #78, MARC LEB, no chicken or egg here 04:58  |  VIPER 26/09/09
      82.   Iran has already informed about this reactor. They 05:14  |  Jaffar 26/09/09
      83.   M of L, #72 05:17  |  Morris Valentine 26/09/09
      84.   So now you`re a military expert too Johnboy? 05:31  |  Peter Williams 26/09/09
      85.   Butros Dahu, Iran shouldn`t be enriching AT ALL 05:40  |  Peter Williams 26/09/09
      86.   #39 Ian 05:42  |  John 26/09/09
      87.   I`m rather curious what the fuss is about..... 05:42  |  Johnboy 26/09/09
      88.   The Three Stooges - Obama, Brown & Sarkozy don`t have the guts. 05:56  |  AIG 26/09/09
      89.   Swiss (Dino) _ I Like Ghaddafi`s Speech at The UN Wanting To 06:00  |  Eli 26/09/09
      90.   #65 michael and his HYPOCRISY of OMISSIONS 06:20  |  CK Tan 26/09/09
      91.   Rabbi Izzy you are wrong 06:56  |  Palestinian Prince 26/09/09
      92.   Twaddle from the three Stooges 2nd try 07:08  |  maoriboy 26/09/09
      93.   marc leb PEDDLES his FICTITIOUS "facts". Again. 07:15  |  CK Tan 26/09/09
      94.   #72, Mark 07:50  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      95.   #73, oy, johnboy 07:53  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      96.   81 Morris Valentine - Killing it with Nukes is NO OPTION 08:12  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/09/09
      97.   Cipora - Nobody Said Allow Iran to go Nuclear 08:16  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/09/09
      98.   Toothless Whimsy 08:18  |  Hilary Martinez 26/09/09
      99.   CK Tan - There are only accusations. Accusations are not proof 08:21  |  CJ 26/09/09
      100.   CK Tan Iran hasn`t been caught once yet! 08:25  |  CJ 26/09/09
      101.   #78, Mark Leb, "the worst thing the West ever did" 08:40  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      102.   FORCE THE IRANIANS... 10:09  |  PADDY 26/09/09
      103.   come clean` on nukes 10:57  |  Viewer 26/09/09
      104.   Peter Williams What????? 11:11  |  CJ 26/09/09
      105.   opnion 11:20  |  yerushalmi 26/09/09
      106.   #1 Peter, Do you watch TV News or read nespapers.The second site 11:24  |  Seinfeld Mentsch 26/09/09
      107.   #99 Cipora Julianna Kohn 11:26  |  MR 26/09/09
      108.   #93 Maybe because you made it up, Cipora 11:40  |  Johnboy 26/09/09
      109.   #82 Peter Williams 11:43  |  Johnboy 26/09/09
      110.   Marc Leb 11:56  |  Daniela 26/09/09
      111.   Mark of Lewiston, disengenuous 11:57  |  FOX 26/09/09
      112.   Cipora: "the worst thing the West ever did" is absolutelyTRUE!!! 12:17  |  S 26/09/09
      113.   Dino #70: my post wasn`t about that at all - 12:52  |  ivo 26/09/09
      114.   Which is the real threat, Israel or Iran? Ask the Arabs. 12:56  |  The Prophet 26/09/09
      115.   FOX - As Delusional as Any NeoCon 13:06  |  Mark of Lewiston 26/09/09
      116.   The iranians were right to build a 2nd facility, just watch the 13:33  |  Kris Lazar 26/09/09
      117.   Johnboy #107 13:58  |  Peter Williams 26/09/09
      118.   CJ you really need to do more homework 14:14  |  Peter Williams 26/09/09
      119.   marc leb 14:25  |  oz 26/09/09
      120.   #104 Sienfeld the comedian 15:00  |  Johnboy 26/09/09
      121.   Weak UN 15:20  |  Weak Obama 26/09/09
      122.   Cipora Julianna Kohn 15:29  |  The Teacher/Ibstruct 26/09/09
      123.   Khaled #15, Marc Lincoln, and others that are confused on this 17:34  |  Maurice 26/09/09
      124.   #66 CJ Kohn 19:06  |  BDS 26/09/09
      125.   #112 S 19:21  |  BDS 26/09/09
      126.   #122, TEACHER/INSTRUCT, Shana Tova 20:37  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      127.   Mark of Lewiston, "Declare an Unfinished Building?" 20:44  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 26/09/09
      128.   Nuclear weapons ( 2nd try) 21:45  |  H 26/09/09
      129.   BDS #124 Your answer shows you haven`t understood a thing! 22:15  |  S 26/09/09
      130.   Obama is an incapable in foreign policy 00:21  |  dovdevan 27/09/09
      131.   65 01:26  |  zionist forever 27/09/09
      132.   CJ - yes, YOU are RIGHT.........NOT 01:29  |  CK Tan 27/09/09
      133.   CJK you inspire me 04:22  |  Thanks 27/09/09
      134.   The time for talk has ended. Strike now 05:27  |  jim 27/09/09
      135.   80 12:28  |  zionist forever 27/09/09
      136.   # 131 jim wants a war 3rd try 22:38  |  maoriboy 27/09/09
      137.   #75 Johnboy - My goodness, now you`re a pilot 23:02  |  *BEN JABO 29/09/09
      138.   #137-2 Johnboy - One more fact 20:35  |  *BEN JABO 30/09/09
      139.   Sanctions? 23:18  |  Eliahu 01/12/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Award-Winning 'Obsession'
    Watch 'Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West' Online FOR FREE!
    Protea Hills
    A Retirement Village in Nature Nestled in the Foothills of Jerusalem
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    10:52 Report: Israel mulls freeing Barghouti as part of Shalit deal
    08:30 Israel stripped thousands of Jerusalem Arabs of residency in 2008
    08:32 EU envoys: Israel trying to sever East Jerusalem from West Bank
    10:59 Report: Pollard proposes killing Palestinian prisoners until Shalit freed
    11:40 Violent confrontation breaks out between settlers, inspectors
    09:26 Fear scale
    09:29 Don't blame Obama for stalled Middle East peace talks
    09:28 Ivan the Miserable
    22:16 TV ROUND-UP: Netanyahu: Freeze 'temporary;' Livni slams EU plan on Jerusalem
    11:37 ADL, UN slam Swiss ban on minarets
    10:29 In live donor first in Israel, father gives son two organs
    08:46 IDF chief wants to enlist Arabs, Haredim in national service
    05:09 Iran: No need to tell IAEA about new nuclear sites
    08:49 From Mishnah to MI: Haredi yeshiva graduates enlist in IDF
    03:27 Health Ministry mulls letting gay couples use surrogate mothers
    01:43 IAF considers buying $65m aircraft capable of vertical take-off, landing
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Advert: Recommended Restaurants | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved