Washington Times: Members of Congress and former diplomats Thursday invoked John F. Kennedy, the civil rights movement and Thanksgiving as they called on President Obama to keep America’s promise to protect Iranian dissidents languishing in an Iraqi refugee camp.
Refugee camp is Iraq and America’s shame
Iran digs in heels on enrichment avowal
UPI: Iran said the West must affirm its right to enrich uranium or there’s no deal, as the U.S. Senate majority leader called for prompt new sanctions if talks fail. The Obama administration argues the U.N. Non-Proliferation Treaty doesn’t recognize every country’s right to produce nuclear fuel.
Hezbollah actions in Syria endanger Lebanon: president
AFP: Lebanese President Michel Sleiman warned Thursday that groups involved in the conflict in neighbouring Syria are endangering the peace and unity of his country, in a clear reference to Hezbollah.
Iran deal stuck over uranium enrichment
Wall Street Journal: Iran’s demand that the West recognize what it says is its right to enrich uranium has emerged as one of the final missing pieces in an interim nuclear agreement with global powers, according to Iranian, American and European officials.
‘No progress’ on day 2 of Iran talks
The Hill: A second day of nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva wrapped up Thursday with “no progress” on major points of disagreement, a top Iranian diplomat said. Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the comments to Iran’s Mehr news agency, according to the AFP.
Iran deal falters as negotiators cite little progress
Bloomberg: Negotiators weren’t able to reach agreement on a first-step accord to resolve a decade-old dispute over Iran’s nuclear program, reducing the likelihood that foreign ministers will arrive to strike a deal after two days of negotiations in Geneva.
How Bush let Iran go nuclear
New York Times: If Mr. Bush had decided to display American leadership and exercise American power by launching a diplomatic campaign against Iran rather than a military one against Iraq 10 years ago, the United States’ international standing would be far greater today.
Call for investigation into the September killings at Camp Ashraf
PACE: We urge the Iraqi authorities to release these seven Iranians, unless they are duly charged with an internationally recognisable criminal offence; to make sure that they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment; and not to forcibly return them to Iran where their lives would be in danger.
Iran’s comments on Israel deemed ‘unacceptable’ as talks open
Wall Street Journal: Iran’s leader launched an anti-Western broadside as global powers resumed negotiations on curbing Tehran’s nuclear program, injecting fresh uncertainty into a diplomatic process viewed as crucial to Middle East stability.
Iran rejects UN resolution on its rights record
AFP: The Canadian-drafted UN resolution on Tuesday criticised abuses, the widespread use of the death penalty, particularly for minors, and amputations and flogging as a punishment in Iran.
