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WASHINGTON (AFP) – Israel has "eight days" to launch a military strike against Iran's Bushehr nuclear facility and stop Tehran from acquiring a functioning atomic plant, a former US envoy to the UN has said.
Iran is to bring online its first nuclear power reactor, built with Russia's help, on August 21, when a shipment of nuclear fuel will be loaded into the plant's core.
You know, there is some pretty ironic history behind this plant. It was begun in the 1970's by the Shah of Iran, with the blessing of the western world. After the downfall of the Shah, Ayatollah Khomeini issued an edict that no nuclear plants were to be built, so it sat idle until after Khomeini died. In 1995, work was resumed on the plant, with the help of Russia.
I am torn on this issue, but I believe that nuclear power is the right of all nations. The problem with nuclear power, though, is the waste, which can be turned into material for a nuclear weapon. Once this power plant goes online, Iran can have a nuclear weapon in approximately 6 years, if it wants one.
It is too late now to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities, as that will spread radiation, not only among the civilian population of Iran, but also beyond it's borders. Like it or not, the genie is now out of the bottle, and we must deal with it. Pressure must be kept up on Iran, and the strategy changed from stopping them from acquiring nuclear technology to forcing them to give up its nuclear waste, offering them compensation for it.
I believe that the window for stopping Iran from having nuclear power has been closed, and we will, as the old Chinese proverb says, be living in interesting times. We must now adapt our strategy to account for this development. And make no mistake - We must let Iran know that ANY use of weapons of mass destruction will result in the complete annihilation of their nation.
Article is here.