It looks like use of force is coming off of the table here. I wonder if Bush has just passed the pigskin to Olmert and told him that he is the QB on this one. Put the Israeli Air Force on standby Ehud they are going to be needed.
The compromise, which would drop the automatic threat of military action if Iran remains defiant, is part of a proposed basket of incentives meant to entice Iran to give up enrichment, a possible pathway to nuclear arms. It also spells out the penalties if it does not.
They are getting a pretty good deal if they go along with it though:
If Tehran agrees to suspend enrichment, enter new negotiations on its nuclear program and lift a ban on intrusive inspections by the IAEA, they would be offered rewards including agreement by the international community to "suspend discussion of Iran's file at the Security Council."
The package also promised help in "the building of new light-water reactors in Iran," offered an assured supply of nuclear fuel for up to five years, and asked Tehran to accept a plan that would move its enrichment program to Russia.
So they get some light-water reactors, get their name off of the Security Council Hit List, and they get free nuclear fuel for 5 years. The Russians will even enrich their uranium for them for free. Iran can really look like the winner here if they climb down from the edge and accept this deal. They won't though because they will end up losing the status as the Lion of the Arab World by cowtowing to the so-called European Powers. Nukes are too much of a pride thing for Iran now that Iraq can't thumb their nose at the world anymore.
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