Iranian nuclear revelation a grave threat: Harper

[CHIMO]

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called the latest revelation of Iran's nuclear technology a "grave threat to international peace and security."

Harper made the comment on Friday after the existence of a second uranium enrichment facility in Iran became public.

"Iran, the combination of its abhorrent ideology and its interest in nuclear technology, combined with increasing evidence of its obvious disregard for international law and for its obligations, constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security," Harper said at a closing news conference at the G20 meetings in Pittsburgh.

"We will work closely with our allies in the international community to encourage effective and reasonable responses to that threat."

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/09/25/iran-nuclear-un-uranium-iaea381.html
Last Updated: Friday, September 25, 2009 | 9:54 PM ET

[HappyCynic]

1. Bush-lite

Man, I wish we had a real leader instead of this Bush clone. I don't think it takes much effort to imagine Bush saying this, then threating to bomb, bomb, bomb. I think a few years ago, it would have been easy for many countries to say:
"America, the combination of its abhorrent ideology and its interest in nuclear technology, combined with increasing evidence of its obvious disregard for international law and for its obligations, constitutes a grave threat to international peace and security."
From what I've read, the non-proliferation treaty, of which Iran is a signatory, makes declaration of nuclear facilities necessary at least 6 months prior to the facility becoming operational and the estimate for the specified facility is 1 year to operational status. And signatories to the NPT are allowed to develop nuclear technology for civilian uses, like power generation. With the incomplete state of the facility, it's also difficult to say it's a weapons facility. So, there is no solid proof (at least none made public) that Iran is disregarding international law in this case.
I believe that the revelation represents a diminished threat. It's given Obama and other countries a reason to press for more openness about their program. It also opens the door for international observers and inspectors (and failing that, encourages other nations to join any punitive actions). From recent history, it's been shown (at least with North Korea) that even if a secret program exists, the presence of inspectors seriously hampers clandestine nuclear weapons programs.

[HeresyLives]

2. You're exactly right.

NEW YORK (AP) — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country has complied with rules of the U.N. nuclear agency which require that it is informed of any new enrichment facility six months before it becomes operational.
He told a news conference Friday that the new facility won’t be operational for 18 months so Iran has not violated any requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2009/09/25/11118921-ap.html