Iran Nuclear Talks End Without Agreement

From The Washington Post:

High-level international talks on Iran's nuclear program ended inconclusively today in Geneva, with European envoy Javier Solana telling reporters that Iran needed to give a more definitive answer within two weeks.

The meeting was significant because for the first time a U.S. diplomat, Undersecretary of State William J. Burns, joined other envoys in meeting with the top Iranian nuclear negotiator. U.S. officials had said the shift in Bush administration policy was intended to help lead to a breakthrough in the impasse over the Iranian program, but if Iran failed to respond positively, it only would unify the international coalition dealing with Iran.

Read more ....

More News On Iran's Refusal To Stop Enrichment

IRAN: Inside nuclear talks, frustrating diplomacy -- L.A. Times
Iran praises Geneva nuclear talks as "step forward" -- China View
Iran's Ahmadinejad Says Nuclear Talks a 'Step Forward' -- Voice Of America
Diplomacy given fresh look as Bush presidency nears its end -- AFP
Iran: U.S. Shift in policy positive -- Albawaba
Nuclear Talks With Iran End in a Deadlock -- New York Times
Official request needed for opening U.S. outpost in Tehran: Mottaki -- Tehran Times
Iran gets Two Weeks -- The Statesman
U.S. nuke summit with Iran accomplishes jack; Updated -- Hot Air
Iran Given Two-Week Deadline to End the Nuclear Impasse -- Truth Out

My Comment: I have trouble understanding how after years of "negotiating", the Iranians were going to give up their goals for being a nuclear power on the world scene. The religious leaders of Iran are so wrapped up with this idea of having a weapon from God, that any thought of giving up what has become a religious calling is silly at best, and delusional at worse.

Bottom line .... the Iranian leadership believes it is their sacred duty to obtain a nuclear capability. No one cannot and will not stop them from obtaining this goal. The only way this perception can change is if they realize their strategic and personal security is at risk if they continue down this path. But present diplomacy from the West is clearly not giving them any concern to be afraid.

For everyone's info, last weeks headlines were singing a different tune when it came to Iran. Last week's pundits were voicing their optimism on the success of this weekend. To refresh everyone's memory, I have listed some of these stories. It is amazing to read what these journalists wrote last week .... and to then see how completely off they are.

Last Week

IRAN: No U-turns on nuclear policy in Tehran -- LA Times
Iran hopes for 'constructive' nuclear talks -- MSNBC
Iran Calls American Participation in Nuclear Talks Positive -- New York Sun
Iran Calls Nuclear Talks Positive -- Time Magazine
Amid the Bluster, Iran and the United States Might Just Give Diplomacy a Chance -- U.S. News And World Report
Iran: US will seek green light to open base in Tehran -- The Guardian
Iran prepares for first nuclear talks with America -- The Telegraph
Condi's coup: how the neo-cons lost the argument over Iran -- The Independent
What the U.S. should do about Iran's nuclear program -- Newsweek
US-Iran relations since 1979: timeline -- The Guardian