Iran proposes to Japan

In a surprise move to stem mounting international pressure against it, Iran invited Japan to take part in its nuclear energy program.

Manouchehr Mottaki, on a worldwide tour amid a standoff on Tehran's nuclear drive, said he made the request personally to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

"I requested the Japanese prime minister for the participation of Japanese companies in our 10 to 15 nuclear plant establishments because we have to create 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear power plants," he said.

While Japan "called on Iran to conform with international resolutions on its nuclear program" and voiced "special concerns as the only nation to have suffered nuclear attack" . . .

Japan has close economic ties with Tehran. In 2004 Japan inked a two billion-dollar contract to develop Azadegan in southwestern Iran, considered one of the world's biggest untapped oil reserves.

This suggests the invitation might be considered seriously. Moreover, the move by Iran to openly invite another member of the UN Security Council to participate commercially in its nuclear energy plans is nothing less than a diplomatic stroke of genius.