The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where Russia and China call the shots, gathered Friday to consider changes to its membership guidelines which could lead to further expansion for the bloc.
At its annual gathering in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, leaders including Russia's Dmitry Medvedev and China's Hu Jintao were expected to adopt new guidelines seen as potentially opening the door to SCO observer nations India and Pakistan. Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan and Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov were also in attendance at the summit.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was expected to stay away from the summit after his country was slapped with fresh sanctions approved by the UN Security Council this week. In fact he was not even invited. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the guidelines to be approved Friday would not allow countries under UN sanctions to obtain membership, a major blow to Iran who sorely needs international support. Son of a gun we do have unity! They invite Pakistan Afghanistan and India and are set to deny membership to Iran who is peeved! Shanghai group meets for expansion without Ahmadinejad
The new U.N. sanctions prevent Russia from delivering S—300 air—defense missiles to Iran, a Kremlin official said on Friday, in a reversal of the position announced by Russia’s Foreign Ministry the day before. The Kremlin statement was sure to please Israel and the United States, which have long urged Russia not to supply the powerful missile systems. Russia signed a deal to sell the missiles in 2007, but has delayed their delivery.
The U.N. Security Council resolution passed on Wednesday bans Iran from developing ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, investing in nuclear—related activities and buying certain types of heavy weapons. The Kremlin official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the S—300 falls under these sanctions. Russia in the past has sold other air—defense missiles, aircraft and weapons to Iran. Russia now says Iran sanctions ban S-300 missiles
In closing the SCO on Friday snubbed Iran's membership bid, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the group's new guidelines did not allow countries under UN sanctions to join, leaving Tehran increasingly isolated over its refusal to renounce uranium enrichment. Of course Ahmadinejad said on Friday Israel was "doomed" and singled out Obama for scorn blaming Washington for orchestrating new nuclear sanctions against Tehran. He is right but I am glad we are standing together though nothing will dissuade Iran from trying to achieve nuclear weapons as she is reportedly close do doing. Iran's Ahmadinejad says Israel is 'doomed'
I have tried to give Iran the benefit of the doubt when they say their nuclear desires are peaceful knowing they could use nuclear power as an energy source for their growing population. I have always asserted that perceived need could be cover for the real goal of developing a nuclear weapon. They will not relent period. They must be pretty close and able to finish on their own if they now have China and Russia against them and are able to threaten Israel and still move forward. What is next in the saga?
James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
http://anaverageamericanpatriot.blogspot.com
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