Optimistic Mohamed ElBaradei

I think Mohamed ElBaradei needs to remove his rose-colored glasses.

From the Jerusalem Post:

Head of the UN nuclear watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei expressed optimism about his visit to Iran when he arrived in Tehran late Wednesday night to meet with officials about the country's controversial nuclear program.

"The time is right for a political solution and the way is negotiations," the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency told journalists.

The time is always right for a political solution as opposed to a military solution if it's at all possible. Unfortunately, while the UN hemmed and hawed, Iran defied the international community.

Iran has shown it is not interested in cooperating. Instead, Iranian General Hassan Firouzabadi huffed, "When a people master nuclear technology and nuclear fuel, nothing can be done against them."

And he puffed, "The West can do nothing and is obliged to extend to us the hand of friendship."

Does this sound like a country interested in negotiating?

Iran seems to be looking to instigate trouble, not trying to avert it.

"I would like to see Iran come to terms with the requests of the international community," he said, explaining the purpose of his trip as being "to clarify remaining outstanding issues about Iran's nuclear program."

ElBaradei expressed hope that the visit would "bring Iran in line with the requests of the international community to take confidence-building measures regarding suspension of nuclear activities until outstanding issues are clarified."

What does ElBaradei think he is? A miracle worker?

Ahamdinejad and the Iranian government have made it clear that they have no intention of bowing down to any nation.

Iran isn't going to fall in line with any of the requests made by the international community regarding its nuclear program.

From the Associated Press:

Ahmadinejad repeated his call on foreign governments to "recognize and respect Iran's rights" -- presenting a fait accompli to Western powers which have been battling to prevent Iran from acquiring sensitive nuclear know-how.

The firebrand president has also called for a no-holds-barred acceleration of enrichment work.

Iran's nuclear milestone was achieved on Monday -- at a pilot plant of 164 centrifuges in Natanz -- with uranium enriched to 3.5 percent, or the purity required for civilian reactor fuel.

This, said Iranian vice president and atomic energy chief Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, "paves the way for enrichment on an industrial scale" using an enormous 110 tonnes of UF6 feedstock gas already produced.

He also said Iran was "determined" to complete work within three years on a heavy water reactor in Arak -- which critics say which could also produce plutonium for a nuclear weapon.

..."The nuclear fuel cycle is complete, the beginnings of a powerful Iran," the conservative Iranian daily Resalat trumpeted, calling for a week of "national celebration" and a new annual public holiday to mark the event.

Someone explain to me why ElBaradei is optimistic about his talks with Iran. I see no reason to be. None.

ElBaradei's optimism is ridiculous.

It's akin to Neville Chamberlain declaring that the Munich Pact assured "peace in our time."