Iran accuses Washington of using nuclear issue as an excuse to topple government

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Larijani, has accused the US of using the nuclear issue as an excuse for their actual policy of "regime change" within Iran and has stated that "regime change" will continue to be the Americans primary aim even were Iran to stop enriching uranium.

I have to say, he has a point. The US's insatiable need to tell everyone else who should and should not lead them, must never be overlooked when examining US motives or US perceived grievances.

We mustn't forget that the people of Palestine are currently being starved because the US disagrees with the democratic choice they made when they chose Hamas as their representatives.

And this extraordinary decision was made at a time when the US, under Bush, claims to be exporting democracy to the Middle East.

Mr Larijani claims that if it was not nuclear enrichment of uranium then the US would simply have found some other reason to attack the regime. He also questioned why Bush would demand that Iran stop enriching uranium before any talks could take place.

"If they want to put this prerequisite, why are we negotiating at all? Mr Bush is like a mathematician. When the equation becomes very difficult to work out, he likes to wipe it out altogether ... the pressure they are putting on us is reason enough for us to be suspicious."

He also questioned US efforts to undermine the regime from the inside.

The $70m earmarked by the Bush administration to aid propaganda efforts inside Iran was an insult, he said. "I think that money is very little, to be honest," he said with a wry smile. "The minimum acceptable amount should be $70bn so the citizens of this country would at least get something out of it."

He also makes the better point that the Iranians would be more likely to listen receptively to US points were the US to offer a non aggression pact.

Mr Larijani said there was no doubt that security guarantees were badly needed as part of any deal - "but not what they have talked about. They should not try to repackage their needs as incentives and offer that to us as a concession".

The Bush regime, more than any other American administration since Reagan, have set about attempting to destabilise nations who's leadership they disagree with.

It is worth remembering that "regime change" is actually illegal under international law, despite Bush's willingness to publicly state it as official US policy.

It is little wonder that Bush finds it so hard to make progress through the UN when he has already announced intentions that are out with of international law.

In this way Bush's arrogance actually works against him as he forewarns the world of his actual goal, and dares people to try and stop him.

Unfortunately for Bush, with Iraq eroding his political capital on the world stage, this becomes more likely to happen, as Russia and China have recently demonstrated by failing to accept his central premise regarding Iran.

If Bush was not perceived as a man who desires regime change in various country's then he would find people would take his fears of Iranian nuclear weapons much more seriously.

As it is, his real intentions will always be suspect. And, in this way, Bush really becomes his own worst enemy.

Tags: Bush, Iran, US, UN, diplomacy, Ahmadinejad, nuclear, Security Council, Sanctions, talks, negotiations, negotiate, Ali Larijani,