In this issue:

U.S. Should Break with Anglo-Israeli War Drive Against Iran

Joint Declaration by Iran, Turkey, and Brazil; Tehran, Iran, 17 May 2010

U.S. Should Break with Anglo-Israeli War Drive Against Iran

May 17 (EIRNS)—An agreement for Iran to deposit 1,200 kilograms of its stockpile of low enriched uranium (LEU) with Turkey, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been welcomed by several leading members of the UN Security Council. The agreement is the first step of a process to swap the LEU for 120 kg of uranium enriched at a higher level—close to 20%—for use in Iran's medical research reactor. The text of the agreement, signed by the foreign ministers of Iran, Turkey, and Brazil is printed below.

According to a well-informed Washington, D.C. source, this deal could become an avenue for backing away from the provocative international sanctions that are merely a stepping stone to war. What the U.S. will insist upon, this source said, is that the IAEA monitor the LEU stockpile "every step" along the way. There are also some questions that the U.S. and other UNSC members have about whether Iran has already completed enriching uranium to nearly 20%, as some public statements by Iranian officials have claimed.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu praised the agreement as a "constructive path" that shows Iran's willingness to cooperate internationally, and which should eliminate the "ground for new sanctions and pressures." Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that if the international community accepts the "process" as outlined, this could avoid possible further UN sanctions.

Lyndon LaRouche has fully supported Iran's development of nuclear energy, and has denounced the Anglo-Israeli drive for war, which is being allowed by British-puppet, President Barack Obama. However, LaRouche has warned for more than a year that only a Four-Power agreement among the U.S., Russia, China, and India, could ensure peace in the region, and have enough strength to override the British Empire-Obama-Israeli warmongering.

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said he "welcomed" the nuclear agreement—the possibility of which had been mentioned during his visit to Turkey a week earlier, where he met President Abdullah Gul. Speaking today in Ukraine, Medvedev warned, however, that the agreement might not be sufficient to end the calls for sanctions by some UNSC members.

In the U.S., White House press secretary Robert Gibbs did not condemn the agreement, but neither did he indicate U.S. support. He said it would be "progress" if Iran were to ship out 1,200 kilograms of LEU, but insisted that the October 2009 deal that Iran rejected is what the U.S. still wants. As part of the "Vienna Group" of the IAEA, the U.S., along with Russia, France, and the IAEA itself, would play an important part in new agreement.

The Netanyahu government in Israel is reportedly livid about the deal because it may slow the drive for international sanctions, but the prime minister's and foreign minister's offices have issued orders for no statements to be made on this issue until the official response "from the West"—i.e. the United States—is made.

Joint Declaration by Iran, Turkey, and Brazil; Tehran, Iran, 17 May 2010

Having met in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, the undersigned have agreed on the following Declaration:

1. We reaffirm our commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and in accordance with the related articles of the NPT, recall the right of all State Parties, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy (as well as nuclear fuel cycle including enrichment activities) for peaceful purposes without discrimination.

2. We express our strong conviction that we have the opportunity now to begin a forward looking process that will create a positive, constructive, non-confrontational atmosphere leading to an era of interaction and cooperation.

3. We believe that the nuclear fuel exchange is instrumental in initiating cooperation in different areas, especially with regard to peaceful nuclear cooperation including nuclear power plant and research reactors construction.

4. Based on this point the nuclear fuel exchange is a starting point to begin cooperation and a positive constructive move forward among nations. Such a move should lead to positive interaction and cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear activities replacing and avoiding all kinds of confrontation through refraining from measures, actions and rhetorical statements that would jeopardize Iran's rights and obligations under the NPT.

5. Based on the above, in order to facilitate the nuclear cooperation mentioned above, the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees to deposit 1200 kg LEU in Turkey. While in Turkey this LEU will continue to be the property of Iran. Iran and the IAEA may station observers to monitor the safekeeping of the LEU in Turkey.

6. Iran will notify the IAEA in writing through official channels of its agreement with the above within seven days following the date of this declaration. Upon the positive response of the Vienna Group (US, Russia, France and the IAEA) further details of the exchange will be elaborated through a written agreement and proper arrangement between Iran and the Vienna Group that specifically committed themselves to deliver 120 kg of fuel needed for the Tehran Research Reactor (TRR).

7. When the Vienna Group declares its commitment to this provision, both sides will implement the agreement in paragraph 6. Iran is prepared to deposit the LEU in Turkey on the basis of the agreement in no later than one month. On the basis of the same agreement the Vienna Group should deliver 120 kg fuel required for the TRR to Iran in no later than one year.

8. In case the provisions of this Declaration are not respected Turkey, upon the request of Iran, will return swiftly and unconditionally Iran's LEU to Iran.

9. Turkey and Brazil welcomed the continued readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran to pursue its talks with the 5+1 countries in any place, including Turkey and Brazil, on the common concerns based on collective commitments according to the common points of their proposals.

10. Turkey and Brazil appreciated Iran's commitment to the NPT and its constructive role in pursuing the realization of nuclear rights of its Member States. The Islamic Republic of Iran likewise appreciated the constructive efforts of the friendly countries Turkey and Brazil in creating the conducive environment for the realization of Iran's rights.

[Signators:]

Manucher Mottaki; Minister of External Relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Ahmet Davutoglu; Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey

Celso Amorim; Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil