NNPT vs. Iran

Iran has stated, at the UN this week, that they intend to make the IAEA and UN restrictions on the creation of nuclear weapons the centrepiece of their nuclear energy program. In short, they are promoting transparency in the conduct of an alternative energy program. Uranium used in nuclear energy generation is not as fissile as weapons-grade Uranium. It cannot be used to create a nuclear weapon.

Obviously this isn't good enough for US.

The elephant-in-the-room on the UN Security council simply refuses to believe that Iran, the "enemy," could be engaged in the peaceful construction of nuclear facilities. This, of course, in the face of American self-centredness pertaining to nuclear energy and nuclear weapons programs.

The security risks faced by America, by extension the rest of the world, are too great in their eyes. The will exerted by US on the Security Council reflects this (in)security concern. Regardless of the capacity for US to aid Iran in the construction of a secure nuclear facility, they would prefer to extoll the security issues with any form of nuclear energy in the Middle East. This, in part, because the average American citizen can be made to believe that "the terrorists" will steal nuclear material (straight out of the reactor with their bare hands), fashion it into a weapon, and strike at Americans or other freedom-loving nations. Charged with upholding global (in)security, US cannot permit this to happen.

Read, US holds many preconceived notions about all other nations. They know who their friends are. They know which pockets they control, where their interests flourish, and where they are generally despised in the world. Iran, specifically cannot be trusted, according to US. Why, then, should anyone trust US?

Trust is a two-way street. Without the extension of good will, there can be no trust. The leader of a Iran stood before the representative assembly of the planet and declared national opposition to nuclear weapons proliferation and nuclear weapons use. He declared this in favour of peaceful development of nuclear energy. In a world where such declarations carry no force there is no need for trust, there is only fear.

Canada, too, operates nuclear energy reactors. Being friends and neighbours to US, our nuclear program is not a threat. The rationale used to block Iranian nuclear power could be used against Canada, however, as "the terrorists" can easily cross the longest undefended border in the world with the aforementioned nuclear material. Does this mean we, too should abandon our nuclear reactors? Or, does it mean we have no choice but to snuggle in closer with US? The cloak of the nuclear club already protects Canada.

The aspirations of progressive human beings require the support of trust between them. Without trust, there can be no co-operation. Old rivalries, soon, will not have any place in the world as we face the plight of dwindling resources, for, if they remain, the most destructive of wars will befall us. US cannot hold license over technologies that can help to shift the world away from the brink, despite the implications.

To date, only US has perpetrated the firing of a nuclear weapon. At present, only US has the capacity to repeat this feat any placae at any time. Now, only US has the ability to set precedent in trendsetting initiatives for the peaceful applications of nuclear technology.