When is enrichment of uranium mot enrichment of uranium? When the European Union might otherwise have to show some backbone and stand up to Iran over its illegal nuclear program.

On the eve of talks in Ankara today between top Iranian nuclear envoy Ali Larijani and EU foreign-policy chief Javier Solana officials familiar with the negotiations said the discussions, for the first time, could try to sidestep the deadlock over enrichment by trying to agree on a new definition of the term.

Iran's defiance of a U.N. Security Council demand to freeze all activities linked to enrichment -- a possible pathway to nuclear arms -- has led to two sets of sanctions against the country. Although the punishments are limited and mild, they could be sharpened if the Islamic republic refuses to compromise.

The Europeans like to work with Muslim dictators because it is profitable – look a how they supplied Saddam Hussein with material in violation of UN resolutions. Why should we expect any change in their behavior now – after all, they have been appeasing tyrants since at least 1938.