Comments on: Gareth Porter Explains Iran’s Negotiating Stance http://www.raceforiran.com/gareth-porter-explains-irans-negotiating-stance Thu, 09 Sep 2010 19:40:56 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sid Pace http://www.raceforiran.com/gareth-porter-explains-irans-negotiating-stance#comment-199 Sid Pace Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:22:10 +0000 http://www.raceforiran.com/?p=1096#comment-199 Hi Hi

]]> By: Alan http://www.raceforiran.com/gareth-porter-explains-irans-negotiating-stance#comment-129 Alan Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:11:59 +0000 http://www.raceforiran.com/?p=1096#comment-129 Very interesting. It would appear that the validity of this statement from Farideh Farhi's piece is crucial in determining the truth behind the Iranian position: "It is often forgotten that on September 29, right before the Geneva meeting, Khamenei’s most visible lieutenant, Ahmadinejad, said publicly, “We have offered to whoever is prepared that we will buy the material from them. Of course, we are prepared to hand over 3.5 percent material, have them enrich it up to 19.75 or 20 percent and deliver it back to us.”" This was a quote taken from Mehr News, Sept 29, which would cast doubt on Gareth Porter's version of events. In many ways it is academic though; both versions seek the same outcome. The point is that the Iranians have now reached a consensus position, whether by counteroffer or revised offer, and the West should act on it. The only thing that might be said is that, for once, it is not unreasonable for the West to feel a bit miffed if Iran did backtrack. They just have to get over it. Very interesting. It would appear that the validity of this statement from Farideh Farhi’s piece is crucial in determining the truth behind the Iranian position:

“It is often forgotten that on September 29, right before the Geneva meeting, Khamenei’s most visible lieutenant, Ahmadinejad, said publicly, “We have offered to whoever is prepared that we will buy the material from them. Of course, we are prepared to hand over 3.5 percent material, have them enrich it up to 19.75 or 20 percent and deliver it back to us.””

This was a quote taken from Mehr News, Sept 29, which would cast doubt on Gareth Porter’s version of events.

In many ways it is academic though; both versions seek the same outcome. The point is that the Iranians have now reached a consensus position, whether by counteroffer or revised offer, and the West should act on it. The only thing that might be said is that, for once, it is not unreasonable for the West to feel a bit miffed if Iran did backtrack. They just have to get over it.

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