Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Invade Iran

4thTimeLucky · 06-04-2003, 12:39 PM

I am just curious as to why Iran shouldn't have a nuclear weapon?

I know wht you're going to say: they are a crackpot regime and may fire it irresponsibly.

That isn't my point.
My point is that Iran is a sovereign state and there is no law or legitimate authority that the G8 is using to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon (unless, they have signed an anti-nuclear treaty in which case they could wait till it expires). The G8 are using pure muscle power and fear to tell Iran not to build one. It is the rule of the mighty.

In the US there are plenty of people who you probably don't want to be armed, but have the right to buy guns. You can do nothing about it and you respect the law - you do not try to disarm them.
On a global scale there is no such international law about nuclear weapons. Every state is sovereign and has the right to build what they like. The only exceptions are states which have agreed not to develop nuclear weapons (e.g. the US, who nonetheless try and circumvent the treaties by 'refining' old nukes not 'designing' new ones) and those that have done something outrageous to require UN interention in the past (e.g. invading Kuwait).

Isn't it the case that we in the West got to the nuclear-prize first and now we're just pulling up the ladder after us with the threat of force against countries who don't behave as we tell them to?

--------
RETRACTION

I have sought legal advice and I am wrong.
Apparently it would be against customary international law for Iran to build nukes. This is law based upon:
a) customary (usual) state practice [states don't build nukes...]
b) opinio juris [...because they feel they have a legal obligation to]

A country breaking such law would be taken to the International Court of Justice and whilst no country has been taken there over nukes (I think) the ICJ write 'what if...' papers of legal opinion and has covered such a scenario.

The other types of international law are:
- Conventional (any international treaty is legal binding for the signatories).
- General principles common to all legal systems.

06-04-2003, 12:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
4thTimeLucky Psycho Location: 4th has left the building - goodbye folks	Why shouldn't Iran have a nuclear weapon? I am just curious as to why Iran shouldn't have a nuclear weapon? I know wht you're going to say: they are a crackpot regime and may fire it irresponsibly. That isn't my point. My point is that Iran is a sovereign state and there is no law or legitimate authority that the G8 is using to prevent Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon (unless, they have signed an anti-nuclear treaty in which case they could wait till it expires). The G8 are using pure muscle power and fear to tell Iran not to build one. It is the rule of the mighty. In the US there are plenty of people who you probably don't want to be armed, but have the right to buy guns. You can do nothing about it and you respect the law - you do not try to disarm them. On a global scale there is no such international law about nuclear weapons. Every state is sovereign and has the right to build what they like. The only exceptions are states which have agreed not to develop nuclear weapons (e.g. the US, who nonetheless try and circumvent the treaties by 'refining' old nukes not 'designing' new ones) and those that have done something outrageous to require UN interention in the past (e.g. invading Kuwait). Isn't it the case that we in the West got to the nuclear-prize first and now we're just pulling up the ladder after us with the threat of force against countries who don't behave as we tell them to? -------- RETRACTION I have sought legal advice and I am wrong. Apparently it would be against customary international law for Iran to build nukes. This is law based upon: a) customary (usual) state practice [states don't build nukes...] b) opinio juris [...because they feel they have a legal obligation to] A country breaking such law would be taken to the International Court of Justice and whilst no country has been taken there over nukes (I think) the ICJ write 'what if...' papers of legal opinion and has covered such a scenario. The other types of international law are: - Conventional (any international treaty is legal binding for the signatories). - General principles common to all legal systems. __________________ I've been 4thTimeLucky, you've been great. Goodnight and God bless! Last edited by 4thTimeLucky; 06-04-2003 at 12:56 PM..