Nuclear gamesmanship

Chicago Tribune: Having been duped last year by Iran, negotiators for France, Germany and Britain labored mightily over the past months to produce what they hoped would be an airtight agreement that would force Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Based on the preliminary agreement announced on Sunday, they failed.
Iran's leaders agreed to temporarily suspend uranium enrichment and related nuclear activities while they bargain with the European nations on a final deal. That's all. That looks to be an agreement built on quicksand.
The Iranians have proven time and again that they cannot be trusted to fully disclose their nuclear projects or to drop their nuclear ambitions. The despotic mullahs who run the country have been vociferous about their "right" to enrich uranium, a key ingredient for a nuclear weapon. They have vowed they will never relinquish it.
At best, the agreement is a holding action. At worst, it could allow Iran to continue its nuclear quest at facilities that have escaped detection.
Iran secretly developed such plants for two decades, with the apparent goal of building an atom bomb. They are now dangerously close to success. Even though the International Atomic Energy Agency recently reported that its inspectors had uncovered no new evidence of concealed nuclear activities, the IAEA cautioned that it could not rule out such covert activities.
International inspectors
If this interim agreement is to achieve anything, the IAEA has to be allowed to flood Iran with international inspectors. They should verify the suspension of enrichment and other activities and seek information on possible covert activities.
Some officials apparently hope an interim agreement can be rolled into something more definitive and lasting. That would be a major breakthrough, but a heavy dose of skepticism is warranted. Secretary of State Colin Powell's tepid response to the agreement -- "a little bit of progress, hopefully" -- is about right.
Iran may be able to build a nuclear weapon by early 2007, possibly sooner. The world must keep maximum pressure on Iran to dismantle its nuclear capabilities. Unfortunately, the interim agreement sets no deadline for a final bargain. The IAEA is vague on when it may report next on Iran, an apparent and unwise signal that pressure is easing. Here's the kicker: There's even a chance that the Europeans may provide some rewards to Iran before a final deal is signed.
A diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions is preferable to a forced solution.