Morning Brief: Ahmadinejad open to cooperation, but on what terms?

Thu, 10/29/2009 - 7:59am

Top story: In a speech today, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seemed to suggest that Iran is open to cooperation on a U.N.-backed nuclear enrichment plan, taking a far more positive tone toward the West than he has in the past. Some accounts suggest that Iran has already delivered its formal response to the International Atomic Energy Agency, but this cannot yet be confirmed. 

“Fortunately, the conditions for international nuclear cooperation have been met,” Ahmadinejad said. "We are currently moving in the right direction and we have no fear of legal cooperation, under which all of Iran’s national rights will be preserved, and we will continue our work."

However, state-run newspapers report that Iran will seek changes to the U.N. plan, which involves Iran shipping its low-enriched uranium to Russia for processing. It has been reported that Iran will insist that the uranium be delivered gradually, rather than all at once. France's government has already stated that such a change would be unacceptable, and undermine the entire agreement.  

The cost: President Barack Obama visited Delaware's Dover Air Force Base last night to view the returning coffins of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan.

Asia

  • Afghanistan is planning to open more polling stations in for the Nov. 7 runoff than were open during the original election, against the advice of the U.N.
  • U.S. and Chinese officials are holding talks in China on climate change and recent trade disputes. 
  • Mongolia's parliament confirmed a new prime minister.

 

Middle East

  • Iraq has made dozens of arrests in connection with the recent bombings in Baghdad. 
  • An employee of the British embassy in Iran has reportedly been sentenced to four years in jail. 
  • Kuwait's supreme court ruled that female lawmakers are not required to wear a head scarf. 

Africa

Europe

  • E.U. leaders are meeting for a two-day summit in Brussels to discuss climate change and the Lisbon treaty. 
  • U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss nuclear disarmament and Iran. 
  • Germany's unemployment rate fell, prompting hopes of an economic recovery. 

Americas

  • Nicaragua's congress decided not to discuss a controversial court ruling allowing President Daniel Ortega to run for another term. 
  • The U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to condemn the U.S. embargo on Cuba. 
  • A visiting U.S. mission urged both sides in Honduras's ongoing political standoff to show more "flexibility".

 

BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images
Joshua Keating | Permalink | | Comments? Login or register
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