PRESIDENT OBAMA SUPPORTING IRANIAN NUCLEAR AMBITIONS

June 2 2009

Washington, D.C. – Of all the problems President Obama has had since taking office in January none has seemed as dire as the nuclear sabre-rattling from Iran. From dealing with wars to trying to tackle the economic crisis the new administration has barely had time to breathe. The continued nuisance that Iran has become with their
desire for nuclear technology has made the task of keeping multiple balls in the air all the more difficult. Now President Obama has apparently tried to reduce the number of things he needs to deal with and not only allow Iranian nuclear technology, but actively support those ambitions.

The President made his support for the Iranian nuclear program in an interview with the BBC on Tuesday and marks the first time the United States or any other western country has relented on Iran’s desires. The interview comes ahead of Obama’s speech in Egypt this week where it is expected that he will support limited nuclear growth throughout the Middle
East region. Though details have yet to be worked out, it is expected that American experts will be directly involved in the growth of nuclear technology throughout the world.

“Without going into specifics, what I do believe is that Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations. On the other hand, the international community has a very real interest in preventing a nuclear arms race in the region,” Obama told the BBC. “Although I don't want to put artificial time tables on that process, we do want to make sure that, by the end of this year, we've actually seen a serious process move forward.”

That latter statement has lead to a great deal of speculation with many believing that nuclear companies in The United States may stand to profit from a nuclear-ized Iran and that Obama has fused his concerns over the global economic crisis with the Iranian issue.

“Like in Iraq, direct involvement in the process could create a huge number of jobs for
Americans. Aside from the scientific expertise that will be required to enrich uranium and run plants, contractors stand to profit from building reactors, maintaining them, and disposing of nuclear waste. Iran is a very large and industrialized nation and the energy requirements are enormous, meaning a lot of money,” said Scrape TV International analyst Gustav Hander. “Getting a foothold in Iran could also mean a lot for weapons manufacturers as well. Superficially of course the President is denying that they will support nuclear weapon creation but it serves them to explore all opportunities. After all it’s not like nuclear weapons are a big secret or all that hard to get so it makes sense to American workers in there building the bomb before someone else gets involved.”

Russia and China have both given tacit support for Iranian nuclear and have even sent experts to help with the development of their program. It’s not immediately clear how either country will view the fresh ambitions from the United States in the area.

“Inevitably that’s going to cause a little tension between the powers but the reality is
The United States has a much more significant presence in the area and their technical expertise is second to none. Add to that the fact that they already have a huge number of contractors right next door which means they are perfectly positioned to exploit this potential,” continued Hander. “Really it could just be the start for the nuclear industry in the U.S. With so many countries around the world looking to gain nuclear technology there’s little doubt that the market is primed to explode in the next few years. By positioning themselves in Iran as the go-to country for all things nuclear they are setting up enormous economic growth in the coming years. Pretty soon everyone could have an American made nuclear weapon and that means a lot of money for a lot of people.”

It is expected that President Obama will begin laying the groundwork for continued nuclear proliferation as he travels the Middle East this week.

Edward Bastil, Political Correspondent

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