U.S. Criticizes Iran- European Gas Deal - AP

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

U.S. Criticizes Iran- European Gas Deal

By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer

Monday, April 23, 2007

(04-23) 16:29 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) --

Irritated by the prospect of a huge European gas development
deal with Iran, the Bush administration said Monday it will argue
that such transactions undercut international bargaining power
over Iran's nuclear program.

-snip-

The prospective gas development deal between Iran and an
Austrian firm would not violate United Nations sanctions
against Tehran, and the United States cannot block it outright.

-snip-

Austria's OMV energy firm and Iranian officials announced a
preliminary agreement to develop Iran's Pars gas fields. The
agreement announced over the weekend could also open the
way for a deal to build a liquifying plant for Iranian natural gas.

The announcement was the latest sign that European oil
companies continue investing in Iran despite U.S. pressure.
The United States wants its allies to scrap some arms sales
and scale back trade to bolster the U.N. demand that Iran
roll back its disputed nuclear program.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/04/23/national/w160615D89.DTL

[cliss]

1. I'm sorry, Washington.

Iran has something these countries desperately need.....

ENERGY. Enormous petroleum reserves, and the world's largest supply of natural gas.

The US is putting these countries in an impossible position, and the US risks marginalizing itself completely, because they have no choice but to ignore Washington. They have to. They desperately need energy.

And it's not just Austria that's doing deals with Iran. It's many other countries, but the US in a weakened position tries the 'Divide & Conquer' approach. They can't take 'em all on, it's called Desperation.

[acmavm]

2. OMG! Those evil Europeans don't care that blivet & Co. are the masters

of the oil industry? They don't care that bush** & Co. want to isolate Iran and bomb the shit out of them? Those damn Europeans aren't falling for his Axis of Evil gotta kill us so more Arabs bullshit?

How soon before Cheney decides that we need to bomb Europe? I mean, don't they have WMDs?

[Strelnikov_]

3. Hey, thats our LNG we plan to steal . . . oops . . . democratize they are taking

No Fair!