Page 392 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

It is a well-known fact that since the Shah of Iran was deposed in 1980, the
relations between Iran and the USA have deteriorated. The new President is a
hardliner and he has already announced that the nuclear programme will not
be abandoned. The Americans are not talking directly to Iran over these

developments. They are talking through the EU, that is, Germany, France and
England. These countries have been able to convince Iran to temporarily

suspend nuclear activities while the talks are on. Iran cooperated with them.
But now, Iran is defiant and conveyed that it cannot wait indefinitely and is
about to resume. The EU has still not finalised its offer about the incentives it

can give to Iran in lieu of giving up its nuclear programme. Most likely, Iran
will not stop its nuclear programme as it claims it is for peaceful purposes.

North Korea

North Korea declared in 2003 that it was walking out of the NPT and told the
world that it had produced nuclear weapons. The news surprised the world

and they tried to engage North Korea for abandoning its programme. It is
well known that scientists from China and Pakistan helped North Korea to
develop the weapons to counter American influence in this area. The

Americans have their bases in South Korea. A group of five countries,
namely, South Korea, USA, Russia, China and Japan has been formed to

negotiate with North Korea for abandoning the programme. The talks had
broken down after two rounds but have resumed again. The Chinese are
trying to convince North Korea to abandon the programme. They have even
offered energy from South Korea and Japan. There is no firm commitment

from North Korea yet. North Korea fired missiles over the Sea of Japan on 6
June 2006. America and Japan have taken a strong stand against these tests

and have requested China to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear
plans. Recently, North Korea has agreed to open up its reactors to IAEA
inspection.

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