EXTREMIST ARABS NEED IRAN - U.S. CONFLICT
"... There are extremist views among the Arab world, which perceive Iran as an opponent... Arab countries are not pleased with the prospect of [improved] Iran-U.S. relations, and whenever they think this relationship might be re-established, they react negatively. These reactions manifest in their talks with the U.S. or in creating an Iran 'fear factor' in the region, emphasizing regional disputes and trying to create a distorted image of Iran. They see their interests in keeping the current state of continual conflict among the west, the U.S., and the Islamic Republic."
"(But) It is not in the Arab and Islamic world’s best interests to enter into a family feud with Iran. We must be united with other Islamic countries, so that we may focus on the bigger challenges facing the Islamic world."
--Dr. Kazem Jalali, an influential conservative member of Iran’s parliament, the Majlis, and rapporteur of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46138
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
U.S. STATE DEPT. COMMENTS ON IAEA REPORT ON IRAN
U.S. Department Of State
Office Of The Spokesman
February 19, 2009
Question Taken At The February 19, 2009 Daily Press Briefing
"Question: Does the United States have any comment with regard to the latest IAEA report on Iran?
Answer:... The IAEA’s latest report on its efforts to resolve all outstanding issues on Iran’s nuclear program is clear. Key elements of the report include:
• Iran’s continued refusal to suspend its proliferation sensitive nuclear activities as required by the UN Security Council. Iran has instead continued to enrich uranium and has a stockpile of over 1010 kilograms of low enriched uranium as of 19 February.
• Iran’s refusal to respond constructively to the IAEA’s requests regarding its past work to develop a nuclear weapons capability. The report notes that Iran has refused to work with the IAEA on this issue since August 2008. This is deeply troubling.
• Iran’s noncompliance with its international obligations, having refused to permit the IAEA to conduct an inspection at the under-construction Arak reactor, a facility which Iran should have suspended per the requirements of the UN Security Council.
We once again urge Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment-related reprocessing, and heavy water-related activities, to make a full disclosure to the IAEA of all nuclear weapons activities, and to facilitate full IAEA verification of its nuclear program, including through the application of Additional Protocol measures, without delay."
http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2009/February/20090220100344eaifas0.4128687.html
U.S. Department Of State
Office Of The Spokesman
February 19, 2009
Question Taken At The February 19, 2009 Daily Press Briefing
"Question: Does the United States have any comment with regard to the latest IAEA report on Iran?
Answer:... The IAEA’s latest report on its efforts to resolve all outstanding issues on Iran’s nuclear program is clear. Key elements of the report include:
• Iran’s continued refusal to suspend its proliferation sensitive nuclear activities as required by the UN Security Council. Iran has instead continued to enrich uranium and has a stockpile of over 1010 kilograms of low enriched uranium as of 19 February.
• Iran’s refusal to respond constructively to the IAEA’s requests regarding its past work to develop a nuclear weapons capability. The report notes that Iran has refused to work with the IAEA on this issue since August 2008. This is deeply troubling.
• Iran’s noncompliance with its international obligations, having refused to permit the IAEA to conduct an inspection at the under-construction Arak reactor, a facility which Iran should have suspended per the requirements of the UN Security Council.
We once again urge Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment-related reprocessing, and heavy water-related activities, to make a full disclosure to the IAEA of all nuclear weapons activities, and to facilitate full IAEA verification of its nuclear program, including through the application of Additional Protocol measures, without delay."
http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2009/February/20090220100344eaifas0.4128687.html
Sunday, March 15, 2009
IRAN READY TO AID AFGHANSTAN
"... Iran has accepted an invitation from Italy to participate in the Group of Eight summit on Afghanistan, to be held in Trieste in June. This conference will discuss the "spillover" of conflict in Afghanistan and ways to secure the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan have already begun a trilateral initiative in this regard.... An important axis of cooperation between the Islamist states of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan is on the horizon... closer cooperation between the three nations is imminent..."
"This week's landmark summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) again highlighted the increasingly important regional dimension of Tehran's foreign policy. "Iran is ready for cooperation to aid Afghanistan," the spokesperson said at the closing of the ECO meetings...."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KC13Ak03.html
"... Iran has accepted an invitation from Italy to participate in the Group of Eight summit on Afghanistan, to be held in Trieste in June. This conference will discuss the "spillover" of conflict in Afghanistan and ways to secure the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan have already begun a trilateral initiative in this regard.... An important axis of cooperation between the Islamist states of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan is on the horizon... closer cooperation between the three nations is imminent..."
"This week's landmark summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) again highlighted the increasingly important regional dimension of Tehran's foreign policy. "Iran is ready for cooperation to aid Afghanistan," the spokesperson said at the closing of the ECO meetings...."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KC13Ak03.html
Sunday, March 08, 2009
IRAN NOT MAKING NUCLEAR WEAPON
"Public confusion over Iran comes from misunderstanding nuclear enrichment...
Iran is producing low-grade uranium-235 (LEU U-235), enriched to only 2.5%, to generate electricity. Tehran has this absolute right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Its centrifuge enrichment process at Nantaz is under 24-hour international inspection. Iran's soon-to-open nuclear plant at Bushehr cannot produce nuclear weapons fuel.
Today, some 15 nations produce LEU U-235, including Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, and Japan. Israel, India and Pakistan, all nuclear weapons powers, refused to sign the non-proliferation treaty. North Korea abrogated it.
UN inspectors report Iran has produced 1,010 kg of 2% to 3% enriched uranium for energy generation. Theoretically that is enough for one atomic bomb. But to make a nuclear weapon, U-235 must be enriched to over 90% in an elaborate, costly process. Iran is not doing so, say UN inspectors.
Highly enriched U-235 or plutonium must then be milled and shaped into a perfect ball or cylinder. Any surface imperfections will prevent achieving critical mass. Next, high explosive lenses must surround the core and detonate at precisely the same millisecond. In some cases, a stream of neutrons must be pumped into the device as it explodes.
This process is highly complex. Nuclear weapons cannot be deemed reliable unless they are tested. North Korea recently detonated a device that fizzled. Iran has never built or tested a nuclear weapon.
Even if Iran had the capability to fashion a complex nuclear weapon, it would be useless without delivery. Iran's sole medium-range delivery system is its unreliable, inaccurate, 1,500-km ranged Shahab-3. Miniaturizing and hardening nuclear warheads capable of flying atop a Shahab missile is another complex technological challenge.
It is inconceivable that Iran or anyone else would launch a single nuclear weapon. What if it didn't go off? Imagine the embarrassment and the retaliation. Iran would need at least 10 warheads and a reliable delivery system to be a credible nuclear power.
Israel, the primary target for any Iranian nuclear strike, has an indestructible triad of air, missile and sea-launched nuclear weapons. An Israeli submarine with nuclear cruise missiles is on station off Iran's coast. Iran would be wiped off the map by even a few of Israel's 200 nuclear weapons...
Much of the uproar over Iran's so far nonexistent nuclear weapons must be seen as part of efforts by Israel's American partisans to thwart President Barack Obama's proposed opening to Tehran, and to keep pushing the U.S. to attack Iran's nuclear infrastructure. They and many Israeli experts insist Iran has secret weapons programs that threaten Israel's existence."
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/eric_margolis/2009/03/08/8671731-sun.html
"Public confusion over Iran comes from misunderstanding nuclear enrichment...
Iran is producing low-grade uranium-235 (LEU U-235), enriched to only 2.5%, to generate electricity. Tehran has this absolute right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Its centrifuge enrichment process at Nantaz is under 24-hour international inspection. Iran's soon-to-open nuclear plant at Bushehr cannot produce nuclear weapons fuel.
Today, some 15 nations produce LEU U-235, including Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, and Japan. Israel, India and Pakistan, all nuclear weapons powers, refused to sign the non-proliferation treaty. North Korea abrogated it.
UN inspectors report Iran has produced 1,010 kg of 2% to 3% enriched uranium for energy generation. Theoretically that is enough for one atomic bomb. But to make a nuclear weapon, U-235 must be enriched to over 90% in an elaborate, costly process. Iran is not doing so, say UN inspectors.
Highly enriched U-235 or plutonium must then be milled and shaped into a perfect ball or cylinder. Any surface imperfections will prevent achieving critical mass. Next, high explosive lenses must surround the core and detonate at precisely the same millisecond. In some cases, a stream of neutrons must be pumped into the device as it explodes.
This process is highly complex. Nuclear weapons cannot be deemed reliable unless they are tested. North Korea recently detonated a device that fizzled. Iran has never built or tested a nuclear weapon.
Even if Iran had the capability to fashion a complex nuclear weapon, it would be useless without delivery. Iran's sole medium-range delivery system is its unreliable, inaccurate, 1,500-km ranged Shahab-3. Miniaturizing and hardening nuclear warheads capable of flying atop a Shahab missile is another complex technological challenge.
It is inconceivable that Iran or anyone else would launch a single nuclear weapon. What if it didn't go off? Imagine the embarrassment and the retaliation. Iran would need at least 10 warheads and a reliable delivery system to be a credible nuclear power.
Israel, the primary target for any Iranian nuclear strike, has an indestructible triad of air, missile and sea-launched nuclear weapons. An Israeli submarine with nuclear cruise missiles is on station off Iran's coast. Iran would be wiped off the map by even a few of Israel's 200 nuclear weapons...
Much of the uproar over Iran's so far nonexistent nuclear weapons must be seen as part of efforts by Israel's American partisans to thwart President Barack Obama's proposed opening to Tehran, and to keep pushing the U.S. to attack Iran's nuclear infrastructure. They and many Israeli experts insist Iran has secret weapons programs that threaten Israel's existence."
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/eric_margolis/2009/03/08/8671731-sun.html
Friday, March 06, 2009
U.S. INVITES IRAN TO AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE
May open office in Tehran
"... the Obama administration intends to invite Iran to an international conference on Afghanistan... Iran borders Afghanistan and worked closely with the United States after the U.S. military offensive there to topple the Taliban and fight al Qaeda following the September 11, 2001 attacks... The United States is doing a full policy review of the traditional isolation policy of Iran, including whether to open up a low-level diplomatic office in Tehran..."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090305/ts_nm/us_iran_usa_3
May open office in Tehran
"... the Obama administration intends to invite Iran to an international conference on Afghanistan... Iran borders Afghanistan and worked closely with the United States after the U.S. military offensive there to topple the Taliban and fight al Qaeda following the September 11, 2001 attacks... The United States is doing a full policy review of the traditional isolation policy of Iran, including whether to open up a low-level diplomatic office in Tehran..."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090305/ts_nm/us_iran_usa_3
Monday, March 02, 2009
FORMER IRANIAN PRESIDENT VISITS IRAQ
"One of Iran's most powerful political and religious figures — former President Hashemi Rafsanjani — began talks Monday with Iraqi leaders in the latest high-level contacts between the neighboring countries... Rafsanjani, an influential Shiite ayatollah, was given a red carpet welcome by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani at Baghdad's airport... Talabani said Iraqi authorities could benefit from Rafsanjani's "long experience" as a leader who helped rebuild Iran after its war with Iraq."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090302/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq
"One of Iran's most powerful political and religious figures — former President Hashemi Rafsanjani — began talks Monday with Iraqi leaders in the latest high-level contacts between the neighboring countries... Rafsanjani, an influential Shiite ayatollah, was given a red carpet welcome by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani at Baghdad's airport... Talabani said Iraqi authorities could benefit from Rafsanjani's "long experience" as a leader who helped rebuild Iran after its war with Iraq."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090302/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iraq
Sunday, March 01, 2009
IAEA SAYS IRAN NOT PRODUCING WEAPON GRADE URANIUM
"Iran has not converted the low-grade uranium that it has produced into weapon-grade uranium, inspectors belonging to the International Atomic Energy Agency have said... (in) a report to the U.N. Security Council... (which said) “so far, Iran has carried out good cooperation with us in relevant verifications”... Iran has denied accusations by the United States and its allies that it has been engaged in a clandestine nuclear weapons programme.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/02/22/stories/2009022253751300.htm
"Iran has not converted the low-grade uranium that it has produced into weapon-grade uranium, inspectors belonging to the International Atomic Energy Agency have said... (in) a report to the U.N. Security Council... (which said) “so far, Iran has carried out good cooperation with us in relevant verifications”... Iran has denied accusations by the United States and its allies that it has been engaged in a clandestine nuclear weapons programme.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/02/22/stories/2009022253751300.htm
Saturday, February 28, 2009
IRAN PLEDGES NOT TO BUILD NUCLEAR WEAPONS
"... former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rasanjani's Friday sermon... extended his government's first overt invitation for talks on the nuclear issue: "We don't make false promises. Therefore I declare that Iran's nuclear plan is not to build weapons... and we are ready to prove it in negotiations..."
--DEBKAfile, February 28, 2009
http://www.debka.com/index1.php
"... former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rasanjani's Friday sermon... extended his government's first overt invitation for talks on the nuclear issue: "We don't make false promises. Therefore I declare that Iran's nuclear plan is not to build weapons... and we are ready to prove it in negotiations..."
--DEBKAfile, February 28, 2009
http://www.debka.com/index1.php
REVIEW OF FACTS ON IRAN
"... let us review a few facts that seem to contradict the war propaganda.
First, last week's acknowledgement that Iran has enough enriched uranium for one atom bomb does not mean Iran is building an atom bomb.
To construct a nuclear device, the ton of low-enriched uranium at Natanz would have to be run through a second cascade of high-speed centrifuges to produce 55 pounds of highly enriched uranium (HUE).
There is no evidence Iran has either created the cascade of high-speed centrifuges necessary to produce HUE or that Iran has diverted any of the low-enriched uranium from Natanz. And the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors retain full access to Natanz.
And rather than accelerating production of low-enriched uranium, only 4,000 of the Natanz centrifuges are operating. Some 1,000 are idle. Why?
Dr. Mohamed El-Baradei, head of the IAEA, believes this is a signal that Tehran wishes to negotiate with the United States, but without yielding any of its rights to enrich uranium and operate nuclear power plants.
For, unlike Israel, Pakistan and India, none of which signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and all of which ran clandestine programs and built atom bombs, Iran signed the NPT and has abided by its Safeguards Agreement. What it refuses to accept are the broader demands of the U.N. Security Council because these go beyond the NPT and sanction Iran for doing what it has a legal right to do.
Moreover, Adm. Dennis Blair, who heads U.S. intelligence, has just restated the consensus of the 2007 National Intelligence Estimate that Iran does not now possess and is not now pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
Bottom line: Neither the United States nor the IAEA has conclusive evidence that Iran either has the fissile material for a bomb or an active program to build a bomb. It has never tested a nuclear device and has never demonstrated a capacity to weaponize a nuclear device, if it had one.
--Return of the War Party, by columnist Patrick Buchanan
http://www.lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan104.html
"... let us review a few facts that seem to contradict the war propaganda.
First, last week's acknowledgement that Iran has enough enriched uranium for one atom bomb does not mean Iran is building an atom bomb.
To construct a nuclear device, the ton of low-enriched uranium at Natanz would have to be run through a second cascade of high-speed centrifuges to produce 55 pounds of highly enriched uranium (HUE).
There is no evidence Iran has either created the cascade of high-speed centrifuges necessary to produce HUE or that Iran has diverted any of the low-enriched uranium from Natanz. And the International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors retain full access to Natanz.
And rather than accelerating production of low-enriched uranium, only 4,000 of the Natanz centrifuges are operating. Some 1,000 are idle. Why?
Dr. Mohamed El-Baradei, head of the IAEA, believes this is a signal that Tehran wishes to negotiate with the United States, but without yielding any of its rights to enrich uranium and operate nuclear power plants.
For, unlike Israel, Pakistan and India, none of which signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and all of which ran clandestine programs and built atom bombs, Iran signed the NPT and has abided by its Safeguards Agreement. What it refuses to accept are the broader demands of the U.N. Security Council because these go beyond the NPT and sanction Iran for doing what it has a legal right to do.
Moreover, Adm. Dennis Blair, who heads U.S. intelligence, has just restated the consensus of the 2007 National Intelligence Estimate that Iran does not now possess and is not now pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
Bottom line: Neither the United States nor the IAEA has conclusive evidence that Iran either has the fissile material for a bomb or an active program to build a bomb. It has never tested a nuclear device and has never demonstrated a capacity to weaponize a nuclear device, if it had one.
--Return of the War Party, by columnist Patrick Buchanan
http://www.lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan104.html
Friday, February 27, 2009
IRAN AND U.S. MAY COOPERATE AGAINST TALEBAN IN AFGHANISTAN
"... high ranking authorities in Iran and America Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davudi and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) have arrived in Kabul one after the other to visit Afghan government authorities... the terrorism concern is not only threatening Afghanistan, it has also created joint concerns for the authorities of America and Iran. The three countries are concerned about the Taleban reorganizing and reinforcing in Afghanistan and Pakistan... (this has) created an opportunity for America and Iran to correct their relations using Afghanistan..."
--Editorial on the possibility that cooperation against the Taliban might prove grounds for an improvement in Iran-American relations, in Afghan newspaper Chiragh, February 23, 2009.
http://www.juancole.com/2009/02/negotiations-in-afghanistan-iran.html
"... high ranking authorities in Iran and America Iranian First Vice-President Parviz Davudi and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi) have arrived in Kabul one after the other to visit Afghan government authorities... the terrorism concern is not only threatening Afghanistan, it has also created joint concerns for the authorities of America and Iran. The three countries are concerned about the Taleban reorganizing and reinforcing in Afghanistan and Pakistan... (this has) created an opportunity for America and Iran to correct their relations using Afghanistan..."
--Editorial on the possibility that cooperation against the Taliban might prove grounds for an improvement in Iran-American relations, in Afghan newspaper Chiragh, February 23, 2009.
http://www.juancole.com/2009/02/negotiations-in-afghanistan-iran.html
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
IRAN STARTS BUSHEHR REACTOR TEST RUN
Iranian and Russian nuclear officials have begun a test run of Iran's first nuclear power plant. The test - carried out in front of international journalists - involves the reactor being switched on and loaded with dummy rods made of lead... to imitate the enriched uranium needed to run the Russian-built plant at Bushehr... Iran is currently defying Security Council resolutions ordering it to suspend the enrichment of uranium. It says it is simply doing what it is allowed to do under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The country has pledged not break its obligations under the NPT and will not use the technology to make nuclear weapons..."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7908621.stm
Iranian and Russian nuclear officials have begun a test run of Iran's first nuclear power plant. The test - carried out in front of international journalists - involves the reactor being switched on and loaded with dummy rods made of lead... to imitate the enriched uranium needed to run the Russian-built plant at Bushehr... Iran is currently defying Security Council resolutions ordering it to suspend the enrichment of uranium. It says it is simply doing what it is allowed to do under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The country has pledged not break its obligations under the NPT and will not use the technology to make nuclear weapons..."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7908621.stm
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
IRAN WINS $1.5 BILLION CONTRACT TO BUILD NEW TOWN IN IRAQ
"An Iranian firm has won a $1.5 billion contract to build a new town in the southern city of Basra... The new town will have all the facilities of a modern city... there will be a supermarket, 2,000 commercial shops as well as annexes offering different services... The town will include 5,000 housing units as well as modern amenities like schools, markets, parks and health facilities... It is Iran’s largest construction contract in Iraq since the 2003-U.S. invasion and signals Tehran’s economic arm... the countries were reported to have drawn a roadmap to boost trade exchange value to $5 billion..."
http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2009-02-15\kurd.htm
"An Iranian firm has won a $1.5 billion contract to build a new town in the southern city of Basra... The new town will have all the facilities of a modern city... there will be a supermarket, 2,000 commercial shops as well as annexes offering different services... The town will include 5,000 housing units as well as modern amenities like schools, markets, parks and health facilities... It is Iran’s largest construction contract in Iraq since the 2003-U.S. invasion and signals Tehran’s economic arm... the countries were reported to have drawn a roadmap to boost trade exchange value to $5 billion..."
http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=news\2009-02-15\kurd.htm
Monday, February 16, 2009
RUSSIA CLOSE TO SALE OF S-300 ANTI-AIR MISSILES
"... Iran's defense minister Mostafa Najar travels to Moscow... to tie up the last ends of Tehran's purchase of a brigade of advanced Russian S-300 air defense missiles to guard its nuclear sites... Their acquisition would make an air attack on Iran's nuclear facilities extremely difficult and dangerous...."
--DEBKAfile (Israel), February 15, 2009
http://www.debka.com/index1.php
"... Iran's defense minister Mostafa Najar travels to Moscow... to tie up the last ends of Tehran's purchase of a brigade of advanced Russian S-300 air defense missiles to guard its nuclear sites... Their acquisition would make an air attack on Iran's nuclear facilities extremely difficult and dangerous...."
--DEBKAfile (Israel), February 15, 2009
http://www.debka.com/index1.php
OBAMA OVERTURE TO IRAN IS RECIPROCATED
"Obama made his most pronounced overture so far to Iran in his press conference on Monday, and Tehran promptly grasped it within hours... Obama specifically offered that he was "looking at areas where we [US and Iran] can have constructive dialogue". Renewing his call for direct dialogue with Iran, Obama said he hoped to create conditions to "start sitting across the table, face-to-face" in the coming months with "diplomatic overtures that will allow us to move our policy in the new direction"... President Mahmud Ahmadinejad responded within hours, "Our nation is ready to hold talks based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere..."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KB14Ak03.html
"Obama made his most pronounced overture so far to Iran in his press conference on Monday, and Tehran promptly grasped it within hours... Obama specifically offered that he was "looking at areas where we [US and Iran] can have constructive dialogue". Renewing his call for direct dialogue with Iran, Obama said he hoped to create conditions to "start sitting across the table, face-to-face" in the coming months with "diplomatic overtures that will allow us to move our policy in the new direction"... President Mahmud Ahmadinejad responded within hours, "Our nation is ready to hold talks based on mutual respect and in a fair atmosphere..."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KB14Ak03.html
Friday, February 06, 2009
U.S. AND NATO TO SEEK IRAN'S AID IN AFGHANISTAN
"... NATO's top military commander in Afghanistan, General John Craddock, admitted that the alliance would not oppose individual member nations making deals with Iran to supply their forces in Afghanistan... (NATO) secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer had said only a week ago that NATO member countries, including the United States, should engage Iran to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan..."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/KB06Ag02.html
"... NATO's top military commander in Afghanistan, General John Craddock, admitted that the alliance would not oppose individual member nations making deals with Iran to supply their forces in Afghanistan... (NATO) secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer had said only a week ago that NATO member countries, including the United States, should engage Iran to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan..."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/KB06Ag02.html
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
ISRAEL TURNS BACK AID SUPPLIES FOR GAZA
"The (Isreali) Navy intercepted an Iranian ship loaded with medicine, food and clothing destined for Gaza... (and) would not allow it to enter the waters around Gaza..."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231917085424&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
"The (Isreali) Navy intercepted an Iranian ship loaded with medicine, food and clothing destined for Gaza... (and) would not allow it to enter the waters around Gaza..."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231917085424&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
IRANIANS WORRIED ABOUT ECONOMY, NOT WAR OR REFORM
"Iranians are more concerned about their country's finances than tension with the West or political reform... there is strong support inside Iran for the country having its own nuclear industry.... Those surveyed were asked for the two most important issues facing Iran today and 45% of respondents said unemployment and poverty... 1% said hostile relations with the United States and 1% said lack of democracy or need for political reform... 94% of those surveyed agreed Iran should be allowed to develop a nuclear industry..."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7827198.stm
"Iranians are more concerned about their country's finances than tension with the West or political reform... there is strong support inside Iran for the country having its own nuclear industry.... Those surveyed were asked for the two most important issues facing Iran today and 45% of respondents said unemployment and poverty... 1% said hostile relations with the United States and 1% said lack of democracy or need for political reform... 94% of those surveyed agreed Iran should be allowed to develop a nuclear industry..."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7827198.stm
Sunday, January 11, 2009
BUSH REJECTED ISRAELI ATTACK ON IRAN
"President Bush deflected a secret request by Israel last year for specialized bunker-busting bombs it wanted for an attack on Iran’s main nuclear complex and told the Israelis that he had authorized new covert action intended to sabotage Iran’s suspected effort to develop nuclear weapons... Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates (convinced Bush) that any overt attack on Iran would probably prove ineffective, lead to the expulsion of international inspectors and drive Iran’s nuclear effort further out of view... (with) the possibility that an airstrike could ignite a broad Middle East war in which America’s 140,000 troops in Iraq would inevitably become involved...
"The covert American program, started in early 2008, includes renewed American efforts to penetrate Iran’s nuclear supply chain abroad, along with new efforts, some of them experimental, to undermine electrical systems, computer systems and other networks on which Iran relies.... Obama must decide whether the covert actions begun by Mr. Bush are worth the risks of disrupting what he has pledged will be a more active diplomatic effort to engage with Iran..."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/washington/11iran.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=bush%20rejected%20israel%20attack&st=cse
"President Bush deflected a secret request by Israel last year for specialized bunker-busting bombs it wanted for an attack on Iran’s main nuclear complex and told the Israelis that he had authorized new covert action intended to sabotage Iran’s suspected effort to develop nuclear weapons... Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates (convinced Bush) that any overt attack on Iran would probably prove ineffective, lead to the expulsion of international inspectors and drive Iran’s nuclear effort further out of view... (with) the possibility that an airstrike could ignite a broad Middle East war in which America’s 140,000 troops in Iraq would inevitably become involved...
"The covert American program, started in early 2008, includes renewed American efforts to penetrate Iran’s nuclear supply chain abroad, along with new efforts, some of them experimental, to undermine electrical systems, computer systems and other networks on which Iran relies.... Obama must decide whether the covert actions begun by Mr. Bush are worth the risks of disrupting what he has pledged will be a more active diplomatic effort to engage with Iran..."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/washington/11iran.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=bush%20rejected%20israel%20attack&st=cse
Saturday, January 10, 2009
IRAN BACKS AWAY FROM FIGHTING IN GAZA
"At the outset of Israel's offensive against Hamas... Tehran called on volunteers to fight in Gaza. Two weeks later, they are being sent home... because Egypt would never grant them access to the embattled enclave through its ports and territory, but mainly because Iran has decided to stay clear of direct military engagement with Israel... Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei thanked groups of volunteers waiting at Iranian airports... to be dispatched to Gaza to fight Israel, but told them:...one must pay attention that in this regard our hands are tied."
--DEBKAfile, January 10, 2009
http://www.debka.com/index1.php
"At the outset of Israel's offensive against Hamas... Tehran called on volunteers to fight in Gaza. Two weeks later, they are being sent home... because Egypt would never grant them access to the embattled enclave through its ports and territory, but mainly because Iran has decided to stay clear of direct military engagement with Israel... Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei thanked groups of volunteers waiting at Iranian airports... to be dispatched to Gaza to fight Israel, but told them:...one must pay attention that in this regard our hands are tied."
--DEBKAfile, January 10, 2009
http://www.debka.com/index1.php
Friday, January 02, 2009
IRAQ DEPORTS ANTI-IRAN MEK TERRORISTS
"Iraq plans to close a camp for Iranian dissidents who used to cross into Iran to mount assassinations and sabotage... The US and EU placed the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) on their lists of terrorist organisations after the September 11th attacks. ... US troops disarmed them after the 2003 invasion... but kept the camp intact because some Bush administration officials allegedly saw the MEK as a potential tool for regime change in Iran... The Shia-led government in Baghdad has forged close relations with fellow Shias in Tehran and rejects such ambitions..."
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0102/1230842350664.html
"Iraq plans to close a camp for Iranian dissidents who used to cross into Iran to mount assassinations and sabotage... The US and EU placed the Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK) on their lists of terrorist organisations after the September 11th attacks. ... US troops disarmed them after the 2003 invasion... but kept the camp intact because some Bush administration officials allegedly saw the MEK as a potential tool for regime change in Iran... The Shia-led government in Baghdad has forged close relations with fellow Shias in Tehran and rejects such ambitions..."
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0102/1230842350664.html
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