Even if Iran suffers from obsolescent military hardware there is another factor that could provide a lot of leverage. Shia place a very high value on martyrdom, it is a founding corner of their religious belief.
During the Iran-Irak war, Iranian teens would rush at Iraki tanks with backpack bombs and detonate themselves to take them out. It is believed they went strait to heaven.
Many Middle East regimes are unstable and could be toppled by the zeal inspired by fellow Iranian Muslims. Egypt is one of them.
Iran is playing a win-win scenario, if it falls to aggression then Middle-East will know trouble like it has never known before.
If Iran succeeds eroding home support for military action through attrition then it will undermine any eventual persuation through threath of force.
Full Version: Iran - Volume One through August 24, 2005
Common Ground Common Sense > Issues that Affect Our Lives > Foreign Policy and National Defense > Foreign Policy & National Defense Issues Archive
Scott Ritter Says U.S. Plans June Attack On Iran:
Ritter said plans for a June attack on Iran have been submitted to President George W. Bush, and that the president has approved them. He also asserted that knowledgeable sources say U.S. officials "cooked" the results of the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq.
http://207.44.245.159/article8130.htm
Ritter said plans for a June attack on Iran have been submitted to President George W. Bush, and that the president has approved them. He also asserted that knowledgeable sources say U.S. officials "cooked" the results of the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq.
http://207.44.245.159/article8130.htm
Israel must be prepared for an air strike on Iran :
Israel Air Force Commander-in-Chief Major General Eliezer Shakedi said Monday that Israel must be prepared for an air strike on Iran in light of its nuclear activity.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.j...sID=0&listSrc=Y
http://snipurl.com/cy1h
Israel Air Force Commander-in-Chief Major General Eliezer Shakedi said Monday that Israel must be prepared for an air strike on Iran in light of its nuclear activity.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.j...sID=0&listSrc=Y
http://snipurl.com/cy1h
Israel pushes U.S. on Iran nuke solution:
Israel has been privately pressing Washington to solve the Iran nuclear problem in a hint that Tel Aviv may be left with no choice but to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities, defense officials say.
http://washingtontimes.com/national/200502...23842-3048r.htm
Israel has been privately pressing Washington to solve the Iran nuclear problem in a hint that Tel Aviv may be left with no choice but to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities, defense officials say.
http://washingtontimes.com/national/200502...23842-3048r.htm
Bush Denies U.S. Plans to Attack Iran
Updated 11:17 AM ET February 22, 2005
President Bush said Tuesday that it is "simply ridiculous" to assume that the United States has plans to attack Iran over its alleged nuclear weapons program.
"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that, all options are on the table," Bush said after discussing the issue with European allies.
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...22_1220&src=abc
Updated 11:17 AM ET February 22, 2005
President Bush said Tuesday that it is "simply ridiculous" to assume that the United States has plans to attack Iran over its alleged nuclear weapons program.
"This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that, all options are on the table," Bush said after discussing the issue with European allies.
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...22_1220&src=abc
Powerful Earthquake Rocks Southeastern Iran, at Least 400 Killed
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=BC67FE:2F72C9D
Iranian state television showed villagers in southeastern Iran
scrambling to pull bodies and injured residents from the rubble of
homes made mostly of mud and slabs of concrete A powerful earthquake
struck southeastern Iran at about 6 am, Tuesday, killing at least 400
people people and injuring hundreds more. Authorities say the death
toll could rise, as rescuers make their way to damaged villages. The
U.S. Geological Survey says the quake measured 6.4 on the open-ended
Richter scale and struck in the same province where a quake in
December, 2003, killed more than 30,000 Iranians.
A woman walks in front of an earthquake damaged house in Reyhanshahr
on the outskirts of Zarandranian state television showed villagers in
southeastern Iran scrambling to pull bodies and injured residents from
the rubble of homes made mostly of mud and slabs of concrete.
Ambulances were seen carrying the dead and injured, while survivors
sat in grief next to their dead relatives. Others were shown on
hospital beds, with bloodied faces and broken bones.
Residents are being urged to leave their homes, in anticipation of
severe aftershocks.
Rain is apparently hampering rescue efforts. Blocked roads have
prevented emergency workers from reaching several villages. And,
electricity is reported to have been knocked out in several areas.
The epicenter of the quake was near Zarand, some 740-kilometers
southeast of Tehran. Several other villages were said to have been
heavily damaged or destroyed. A natural disaster official in Iran says
five villages suffered 20-to-70-percent damage.
Officials in Zarand say all hospitals in the town are filled to
capacity.
The scenes are reminiscent of a devastating earthquake that struck in
the same province of Iran 14-months ago. That temblor destroyed the
ancient city, Bam, and killed more than 30,000 people.
Iran is frequently hit by powerful earthquakes. In the 20th
Century,140,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands more
injured in thousands of earthquakes.
In May 2004, 35 people were killed and more than 200 others were
injured in a temblor that struck Tehran and northern Iran.
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=BC67FE:2F72C9D
Iranian state television showed villagers in southeastern Iran
scrambling to pull bodies and injured residents from the rubble of
homes made mostly of mud and slabs of concrete A powerful earthquake
struck southeastern Iran at about 6 am, Tuesday, killing at least 400
people people and injuring hundreds more. Authorities say the death
toll could rise, as rescuers make their way to damaged villages. The
U.S. Geological Survey says the quake measured 6.4 on the open-ended
Richter scale and struck in the same province where a quake in
December, 2003, killed more than 30,000 Iranians.
A woman walks in front of an earthquake damaged house in Reyhanshahr
on the outskirts of Zarandranian state television showed villagers in
southeastern Iran scrambling to pull bodies and injured residents from
the rubble of homes made mostly of mud and slabs of concrete.
Ambulances were seen carrying the dead and injured, while survivors
sat in grief next to their dead relatives. Others were shown on
hospital beds, with bloodied faces and broken bones.
Residents are being urged to leave their homes, in anticipation of
severe aftershocks.
Rain is apparently hampering rescue efforts. Blocked roads have
prevented emergency workers from reaching several villages. And,
electricity is reported to have been knocked out in several areas.
The epicenter of the quake was near Zarand, some 740-kilometers
southeast of Tehran. Several other villages were said to have been
heavily damaged or destroyed. A natural disaster official in Iran says
five villages suffered 20-to-70-percent damage.
Officials in Zarand say all hospitals in the town are filled to
capacity.
The scenes are reminiscent of a devastating earthquake that struck in
the same province of Iran 14-months ago. That temblor destroyed the
ancient city, Bam, and killed more than 30,000 people.
Iran is frequently hit by powerful earthquakes. In the 20th
Century,140,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands more
injured in thousands of earthquakes.
In May 2004, 35 people were killed and more than 200 others were
injured in a temblor that struck Tehran and northern Iran.
Iran Again Refuses to Abandon Nuclear Program
[http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=BC67F6:2F72C9D
Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi says his country was well
within its rights to develop its nuclear program for peaceful purposes
Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, right, hugs Iranian Foreign
Minister Kamal Kharrazi Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi says
his country was well within its rights to develop its nuclear program
for peaceful purposes.
In an address to a state-run foreign policy think tank in New Delhi,
he repeated Tehran's vow that it will not give up its national
interests, despite American and European pressure to do so.
Mr. Kharrazi says Iran is cooperating with the International Atomic
Energy Commission and European countries regarding its nuclear
program, which he insists aims only at generating electricity.
"While we can enjoy to have our technology for peaceful purposes,
certainly we are ready to give any kind of guarantee that Iran would
not divert to nuclear weapons," he said.
The speech came as President Bush was in Europe trying to convince
America's allies to increase the pressure on Iran.
Washington suspects Iran of secretly developing atomic weapons, and
has not ruled out the use of force if the nuclear program is not
abandoned.
Mr. Kharrazi accused Washington of trying to destabilize West Asia
with such threats, and said Iran is capable of defending itself. His
comments were made as he wound up a two-day visit to India to
strengthen bilateral ties.
Analysts say the trip also aimed at building support among friendly
nations such as India against a possible U.S. strike.
In talks with Indian officials, he praised the Indian government's
recent approval of a project to build a gas pipeline from Iran to
India via Pakistan. He said the project would encourage regional peace
and trade.
Decade-old negotiations on the pipeline had been stalled due to
strained relations between India and Pakistan. But the peace process
between the two countries is gaining momentum, and New Delhi now says
it is willing to build the pipeline if Islamabad assures adequate
security.
[http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=BC67F6:2F72C9D
Iran's Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi says his country was well
within its rights to develop its nuclear program for peaceful purposes
Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh, right, hugs Iranian Foreign
Minister Kamal Kharrazi Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi says
his country was well within its rights to develop its nuclear program
for peaceful purposes.
In an address to a state-run foreign policy think tank in New Delhi,
he repeated Tehran's vow that it will not give up its national
interests, despite American and European pressure to do so.
Mr. Kharrazi says Iran is cooperating with the International Atomic
Energy Commission and European countries regarding its nuclear
program, which he insists aims only at generating electricity.
"While we can enjoy to have our technology for peaceful purposes,
certainly we are ready to give any kind of guarantee that Iran would
not divert to nuclear weapons," he said.
The speech came as President Bush was in Europe trying to convince
America's allies to increase the pressure on Iran.
Washington suspects Iran of secretly developing atomic weapons, and
has not ruled out the use of force if the nuclear program is not
abandoned.
Mr. Kharrazi accused Washington of trying to destabilize West Asia
with such threats, and said Iran is capable of defending itself. His
comments were made as he wound up a two-day visit to India to
strengthen bilateral ties.
Analysts say the trip also aimed at building support among friendly
nations such as India against a possible U.S. strike.
In talks with Indian officials, he praised the Indian government's
recent approval of a project to build a gas pipeline from Iran to
India via Pakistan. He said the project would encourage regional peace
and trade.
Decade-old negotiations on the pipeline had been stalled due to
strained relations between India and Pakistan. But the peace process
between the two countries is gaining momentum, and New Delhi now says
it is willing to build the pipeline if Islamabad assures adequate
security.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4288709.stm
Race to reach Iran quake victims
Heavy rain and snow has hampered the emergency effort in southern Iran where an earthquake is estimated to have killed more than 500 people.
Iranian Red Crescent workers have been moving people to nearby towns and cities in Kerman province.
They also worked with sniffer dogs and mountain rescue teams to bring shelter to those in more remote areas.
Whole villages were demolished when the 6.4-magnitude quake struck early on Tuesday morning.
The 11-second quake was centred near Zarand town, 740km (460 miles) from the capital, Tehran.
Some 30,000 people in about 40 villages spread over a wide, mountainous area have been affected.
Staying outdoors
There have been harrowing scenes of grief. Parents who lost children and their homes sat in the rain and cried. Others were seen clawing at the rubble to find survivors and retrieve corpses. ....
[Will the world react to this like the Sunnami disaster? --- The US didn't help Iran during another earthquake 1 year ago.]
Race to reach Iran quake victims
Heavy rain and snow has hampered the emergency effort in southern Iran where an earthquake is estimated to have killed more than 500 people.
Iranian Red Crescent workers have been moving people to nearby towns and cities in Kerman province.
They also worked with sniffer dogs and mountain rescue teams to bring shelter to those in more remote areas.
Whole villages were demolished when the 6.4-magnitude quake struck early on Tuesday morning.
The 11-second quake was centred near Zarand town, 740km (460 miles) from the capital, Tehran.
Some 30,000 people in about 40 villages spread over a wide, mountainous area have been affected.
Staying outdoors
There have been harrowing scenes of grief. Parents who lost children and their homes sat in the rain and cried. Others were seen clawing at the rubble to find survivors and retrieve corpses. ....
[Will the world react to this like the Sunnami disaster? --- The US didn't help Iran during another earthquake 1 year ago.]
Tehran: Guess Who's Trying to Infiltrate Iraq?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6999382/site/newsweek/
By Mark Hosenball
Newsweek Feb. 28 issue -
Fresh intel suggests that Tehran is trying to expand its influence over whatever government emerges in postelection Iraq. According to U.S. officials familiar with the latest intelligence, the Iranian government has been secretly directing its agents inside Iraq to plant themselves in influential positions throughout the Iraqi government—into agencies that handle economic affairs, like the ministries of Oil, Public Works and Finance, as well as departments like the Interior Ministry that handle national security. The Iranians also are directing their agents to infiltrate Iraqi security agencies on the "working level" by taking jobs in regional or local government offices and particularly local police forces. According to the most pessimistic U.S. analysts, the ayatollahs' ultimate goal: "Taking over the government of Iraq." A less pessimistic view is that the latest intel merely shows an ongoing campaign of "classical espionage" by Tehran against Iraq......
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6999382/site/newsweek/
By Mark Hosenball
Newsweek Feb. 28 issue -
Fresh intel suggests that Tehran is trying to expand its influence over whatever government emerges in postelection Iraq. According to U.S. officials familiar with the latest intelligence, the Iranian government has been secretly directing its agents inside Iraq to plant themselves in influential positions throughout the Iraqi government—into agencies that handle economic affairs, like the ministries of Oil, Public Works and Finance, as well as departments like the Interior Ministry that handle national security. The Iranians also are directing their agents to infiltrate Iraqi security agencies on the "working level" by taking jobs in regional or local government offices and particularly local police forces. According to the most pessimistic U.S. analysts, the ayatollahs' ultimate goal: "Taking over the government of Iraq." A less pessimistic view is that the latest intel merely shows an ongoing campaign of "classical espionage" by Tehran against Iraq......
Iran readies military, fearing a U.S. attack :
Tensions with Bush administration surge over Tehran's disputed nuclear ambition
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...MNGHUBERIV1.DTL
http://snipurl.com/cz0d
Tensions with Bush administration surge over Tehran's disputed nuclear ambition
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...MNGHUBERIV1.DTL
http://snipurl.com/cz0d
Quake in Iran Levels Towns; Hundreds Die
By NAZILA FATHI
A powerful earthquake jolted central Iran on Tuesday
morning, killing at least 420 people and injuring more than
900, the governor of Kerman Province told the state
television.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/23/internat.../23iran.html?th
By NAZILA FATHI
A powerful earthquake jolted central Iran on Tuesday
morning, killing at least 420 people and injuring more than
900, the governor of Kerman Province told the state
television.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/23/internat.../23iran.html?th
Bush Tries To Allay E.U. Worry Over Iran
By Michael A. Fletcher and Keith B. Richburg
BRUSSELS, Feb. 22 -- President Bush said Tuesday that concern about possible U.S. military action against Iran "is simply ridiculous," but he added at a news conference that "all options are on the table" in dealing with suspected Iranian attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...er=emailarticle
By Michael A. Fletcher and Keith B. Richburg
BRUSSELS, Feb. 22 -- President Bush said Tuesday that concern about possible U.S. military action against Iran "is simply ridiculous," but he added at a news conference that "all options are on the table" in dealing with suspected Iranian attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...er=emailarticle
Last Updated: Thursday, 24 February, 2005, 00:11 GMT
Bush 'backed down on Iran threat'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4292947.stm
President Khatami says talks with Europe are making slow progress
Iran says US President George Bush has been forced to back down in his tussle with Tehran over its nuclear plans.
Mr Bush said on Tuesday the notion that the US was preparing to attack Iran to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons was "simply ridiculous".
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said the US realised there was no support for its "unacceptable" claims against Iran, so had withdrawn its threats.
Iran denies it is trying to build nuclear weapons.
It says it only wants nuclear power for peaceful, energy-production purposes.
'Changed tone'
Mr Khatami said: "Sometimes America speaks with a sharp tongue.
"But this threatening language is not practical. They recently realised that such claims are unacceptable and could be problematic even for their own people. This is why they have changed their tone."
Iran says its nuclear activity has solely peaceful motives
"America is inexperienced and ill-informed, and it should not patronise us," he added.
Although Mr Bush dismissed talk of an imminent attack on Iran, he would not rule out a strike at some time, saying all options remained.
On Wednesday, in Germany, he said it was important the world should "speak with one voice" on Iran. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said: "We absolutely agree that Iran must say no to any kind of nuclear weapons."
Slow progress
The European Union has been taking the lead in diplomatic negotiations with Tehran. It wants Iran to turn a temporary suspension of uranium enrichment into a permanent halt. Mr Khatami said on Wednesday: "There are deep differences of opinion between Iran and the Europeans." He said talks were progressing slowly, but he was "not pessimistic" that the two sides would reach agreement.
However, he once again refused to countenance an indefinite ban on enrichment activity.
Bush 'backed down on Iran threat'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4292947.stm
President Khatami says talks with Europe are making slow progress
Iran says US President George Bush has been forced to back down in his tussle with Tehran over its nuclear plans.
Mr Bush said on Tuesday the notion that the US was preparing to attack Iran to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons was "simply ridiculous".
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said the US realised there was no support for its "unacceptable" claims against Iran, so had withdrawn its threats.
Iran denies it is trying to build nuclear weapons.
It says it only wants nuclear power for peaceful, energy-production purposes.
'Changed tone'
Mr Khatami said: "Sometimes America speaks with a sharp tongue.
"But this threatening language is not practical. They recently realised that such claims are unacceptable and could be problematic even for their own people. This is why they have changed their tone."
Iran says its nuclear activity has solely peaceful motives
"America is inexperienced and ill-informed, and it should not patronise us," he added.
Although Mr Bush dismissed talk of an imminent attack on Iran, he would not rule out a strike at some time, saying all options remained.
On Wednesday, in Germany, he said it was important the world should "speak with one voice" on Iran. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said: "We absolutely agree that Iran must say no to any kind of nuclear weapons."
Slow progress
The European Union has been taking the lead in diplomatic negotiations with Tehran. It wants Iran to turn a temporary suspension of uranium enrichment into a permanent halt. Mr Khatami said on Wednesday: "There are deep differences of opinion between Iran and the Europeans." He said talks were progressing slowly, but he was "not pessimistic" that the two sides would reach agreement.
However, he once again refused to countenance an indefinite ban on enrichment activity.
European firms display wares in Iran
Visit to air show documents companies with Pentagon contracts hoping to do business with America's adversary
By Lisa Myers & the NBC investigative unit
Updated: 7:38 p.m. ET Feb. 23, 2005
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7018071/
.....It's generally illegal for American companies to do business with Iran. But NBC News found more than a dozen European defense and aviation firms eager to fill the void. Some do business with the Pentagon, yet they were actively selling their wares to Iran.....
Also exhibiting at the show — European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and its subsidiary Eurocopter — which has launched a campaign in the United States to get a bigger share of Pentagon contracts, featuring ads that wrap the company in the American flag.
But if the company is so pro-American, why is it ignoring U.S. policy to isolate Iran?
"As a European company, we're not supposed to take into account embargoes from the U.S.," says Michel Tripier, with EADS.
"The emphasis here is on our civil helicopters. We are not offering military helicopters here," he adds.....
Another company, Finmeccanica, recently won a contract to build a new version of the presidential helicopter, Marine One, as part of a group led by U.S. contractor Lockheed Martin. [remember the outcry from Congress about this???]...
Steven Bryen used to be the Pentagon official responsible for preventing technology from going to countries like Iran. Now he's the president of Finmeccanica in the United States.... [traitor!]...
European subsidiaries of NBC's parent company, General Electric, have sold energy and power equipment to Iran, but GE recently announced it will make no new sales. ....
Visit to air show documents companies with Pentagon contracts hoping to do business with America's adversary
By Lisa Myers & the NBC investigative unit
Updated: 7:38 p.m. ET Feb. 23, 2005
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7018071/
.....It's generally illegal for American companies to do business with Iran. But NBC News found more than a dozen European defense and aviation firms eager to fill the void. Some do business with the Pentagon, yet they were actively selling their wares to Iran.....
Also exhibiting at the show — European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and its subsidiary Eurocopter — which has launched a campaign in the United States to get a bigger share of Pentagon contracts, featuring ads that wrap the company in the American flag.
But if the company is so pro-American, why is it ignoring U.S. policy to isolate Iran?
"As a European company, we're not supposed to take into account embargoes from the U.S.," says Michel Tripier, with EADS.
"The emphasis here is on our civil helicopters. We are not offering military helicopters here," he adds.....
Another company, Finmeccanica, recently won a contract to build a new version of the presidential helicopter, Marine One, as part of a group led by U.S. contractor Lockheed Martin. [remember the outcry from Congress about this???]...
Steven Bryen used to be the Pentagon official responsible for preventing technology from going to countries like Iran. Now he's the president of Finmeccanica in the United States.... [traitor!]...
European subsidiaries of NBC's parent company, General Electric, have sold energy and power equipment to Iran, but GE recently announced it will make no new sales. ....
Do you believe anything Bush says? He will be bombing Iran very shortly, just watch and see. He has to have the wars so he and his buddies can make more billions and he can change the constitution and become dictator. He will use the excuse that "You can't change presidents during a war." 
Bush: Iran Must Renounce Nuclear Ambitions:
"We absolutely agree that Iran must say no to any kind of nuclear weapons." Schroeder said. "Iran must not have any nuclear weapons. They must waive any right to the production thereof."
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/.../022301139.html
http://snipurl.com/d067
"We absolutely agree that Iran must say no to any kind of nuclear weapons." Schroeder said. "Iran must not have any nuclear weapons. They must waive any right to the production thereof."
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/.../022301139.html
http://snipurl.com/d067
Iran to Bush: Don't Meddle with Our Independence:
"America does not like an independent Iran, the question is how far they can (take away Iran's independence), and ... what price they would have to pay to achieve that end," he told a news conference after a weekly cabinet meeting.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;j...storyID=7712450
http://snipurl.com/d068
"America does not like an independent Iran, the question is how far they can (take away Iran's independence), and ... what price they would have to pay to achieve that end," he told a news conference after a weekly cabinet meeting.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;j...storyID=7712450
http://snipurl.com/d068
Bush or Bushehr? Russia puts its money on Iran:
A triangulation of interests has emerged in which Russia is keen on bolstering ties with the U.S., while signing defense contracts with Iran. - According to Izvestia, more than 1,500 Russian engineers are scheduled to bring Bushehr online by 2006.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?ed...rticle_id=12884
http://snipurl.com/d069
A triangulation of interests has emerged in which Russia is keen on bolstering ties with the U.S., while signing defense contracts with Iran. - According to Izvestia, more than 1,500 Russian engineers are scheduled to bring Bushehr online by 2006.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?ed...rticle_id=12884
http://snipurl.com/d069
===
Russia torn:
Despite US concerns, and in an apparent affront to Washington, Russia insists on pursuing its nuclear-energy cooperation with Tehran, and its security ties with Damascus.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/GB23Ag01.html
If Bush pushes criticism, Putin will push back :
In written answers to questions submitted by The New York Times before Bush left for Europe, Ushakov said Putin would likely respond to Bush's criticism by raising "our own concerns about the situation in the United States and certain troubling aspects of Washington's policies."
http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file...news/diplo.html
http://snipurl.com/d06a
Russia torn:
Despite US concerns, and in an apparent affront to Washington, Russia insists on pursuing its nuclear-energy cooperation with Tehran, and its security ties with Damascus.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/GB23Ag01.html
If Bush pushes criticism, Putin will push back :
In written answers to questions submitted by The New York Times before Bush left for Europe, Ushakov said Putin would likely respond to Bush's criticism by raising "our own concerns about the situation in the United States and certain troubling aspects of Washington's policies."
http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file...news/diplo.html
http://snipurl.com/d06a
- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -
"It's vital that the Iranians hear the world speak with one voice that they shouldn't have a nuclear weapon."
- PRESIDENT BUSH
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/internat...24prexy.html?th
"It's vital that the Iranians hear the world speak with one voice that they shouldn't have a nuclear weapon."
- PRESIDENT BUSH
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/internat...24prexy.html?th
Bush May Weigh the Use of Incentives to Dissuade Iran
By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Still, President Bush did not give European leaders what
they have repeatedly sought: direct U.S. participation in
talks with Iran.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/internat...24prexy.html?th
By ELISABETH BUMILLER
Still, President Bush did not give European leaders what
they have repeatedly sought: direct U.S. participation in
talks with Iran.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/internat...24prexy.html?th
Iran jails blogger for 14 years
Wednesday, 23 February, 2005, 19:47 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4292399.stm
An Iranian weblogger has been jailed for 14 years on charges of spying and aiding foreign counter-revolutionaries.
Arash Sigarchi was arrested last month after using his blog to criticise the arrest of other online journalists.
Mr Sigarchi, who also edits a newspaper in northern Iran, was sentenced by a revolutionary court in the Gilan area.
His sentence, criticised by human rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders, comes a day after an online "day of action" to secure his release.
Iranian authorities have recently clamped down on the growing popularity of weblogs, restricting access to major blogging sites from within Iran.
A second Iranian blogger, Motjaba Saminejad, who also used his website to report on bloggers' arrests, is still being held.
Wednesday, 23 February, 2005, 19:47 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4292399.stm
An Iranian weblogger has been jailed for 14 years on charges of spying and aiding foreign counter-revolutionaries.
Arash Sigarchi was arrested last month after using his blog to criticise the arrest of other online journalists.
Mr Sigarchi, who also edits a newspaper in northern Iran, was sentenced by a revolutionary court in the Gilan area.
His sentence, criticised by human rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders, comes a day after an online "day of action" to secure his release.
Iranian authorities have recently clamped down on the growing popularity of weblogs, restricting access to major blogging sites from within Iran.
A second Iranian blogger, Motjaba Saminejad, who also used his website to report on bloggers' arrests, is still being held.
from the February 24, 2005 edition
http://search.csmonitor.com/search_content...01s01-usfp.html
Bush in Europe: new dialogue, old quarrels
Divisions remain over key issues with traditional allies, but the atmospherics changed.
By Howard LaFranchi | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
MAINZ, GERMANY – .....
Apparently aware he is in a country where a recent poll showed that 70 percent of Germans believe Bush plans to attack Iran, the US president acknowledged his statement Tuesday that no options are off the table - but repeated that "diplomacy is just beginning."
He said his discussions with Europeans and with Schröder in particular on Iran had focused on "tactics." Then he proceeded to reveal one of them: that at least publicly, the US and the three European countries in talks with Iran will show a united front before the Iranians. "It's vital the Iranians hear the world in one voice," Bush said, "to convince the mullahs they need to give up their nuclear ambitions."
Still, Bush did not indicate the US would meet the European Union three - Germany, Britain, and France - on their desire that the US join them in talks with Tehran......
http://search.csmonitor.com/search_content...01s01-usfp.html
Bush in Europe: new dialogue, old quarrels
Divisions remain over key issues with traditional allies, but the atmospherics changed.
By Howard LaFranchi | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
MAINZ, GERMANY – .....
Apparently aware he is in a country where a recent poll showed that 70 percent of Germans believe Bush plans to attack Iran, the US president acknowledged his statement Tuesday that no options are off the table - but repeated that "diplomacy is just beginning."
He said his discussions with Europeans and with Schröder in particular on Iran had focused on "tactics." Then he proceeded to reveal one of them: that at least publicly, the US and the three European countries in talks with Iran will show a united front before the Iranians. "It's vital the Iranians hear the world in one voice," Bush said, "to convince the mullahs they need to give up their nuclear ambitions."
Still, Bush did not indicate the US would meet the European Union three - Germany, Britain, and France - on their desire that the US join them in talks with Tehran......
Thursday, 24 February, 2005, 17:03 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4295111.stm
Iran girl gets 100 lashes for sex
The UN has criticised Iran over its treatment of women and girls
A teenage girl and two young men in Iran have been sentenced to lashes for having sex.
The court dismissed the girl's claim that she was raped. It said she had sex of her own free will, the official Iran Daily newspaper reported.
The girl was sentenced to 100 lashes because her accusations of rape and kidnap could have landed her partners a death penalty, the Tehran judge said.
Sex outside marriage is illegal in Iran and capital punishment can be imposed.
The young men in the case were sentenced to 30 and 40 lashes each.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4295111.stm
Iran girl gets 100 lashes for sex
The UN has criticised Iran over its treatment of women and girls
A teenage girl and two young men in Iran have been sentenced to lashes for having sex.
The court dismissed the girl's claim that she was raped. It said she had sex of her own free will, the official Iran Daily newspaper reported.
The girl was sentenced to 100 lashes because her accusations of rape and kidnap could have landed her partners a death penalty, the Tehran judge said.
Sex outside marriage is illegal in Iran and capital punishment can be imposed.
The young men in the case were sentenced to 30 and 40 lashes each.
Iran confident of March results in nuclear talks
By Philip Blenkinsop
Updated: 9:30 a.m. ET Feb. 25, 2005
BERLIN - Talks between Iran and Europe on Iran's nuclear programme should yield positive results in March and U.S. help in those negotiations would be welcome, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani said on Friday.
However, he also said elsewhere that he was disappointed with the European Union powers' performance in talks so far.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7029843/
-------------------------
US may give EU till June to coax Iran on nukes
By Louis Charbonneau
Updated: 10:35 a.m. ET Feb. 25, 2005
VIENNA - In its drive to stop Iran gaining any ability to make nuclear weapons, the United States is ready to give European allies only until June to cajole Tehran before Washington seeks U.N. sanctions, U.S. diplomatic documents show.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5786847/
--------------------
Official: Iran May Hide Nukes in Tunnels
The Associated Press
Updated: 10:58 a.m. ET Feb. 25, 2005
PARIS - Iran may be hiding its nuclear technology inside special tunnels because of threats of attack by the United States, Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator said in an interview published Friday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5974388/
By Philip Blenkinsop
Updated: 9:30 a.m. ET Feb. 25, 2005
BERLIN - Talks between Iran and Europe on Iran's nuclear programme should yield positive results in March and U.S. help in those negotiations would be welcome, Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani said on Friday.
However, he also said elsewhere that he was disappointed with the European Union powers' performance in talks so far.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7029843/
-------------------------
US may give EU till June to coax Iran on nukes
By Louis Charbonneau
Updated: 10:35 a.m. ET Feb. 25, 2005
VIENNA - In its drive to stop Iran gaining any ability to make nuclear weapons, the United States is ready to give European allies only until June to cajole Tehran before Washington seeks U.N. sanctions, U.S. diplomatic documents show.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5786847/
--------------------
Official: Iran May Hide Nukes in Tunnels
The Associated Press
Updated: 10:58 a.m. ET Feb. 25, 2005
PARIS - Iran may be hiding its nuclear technology inside special tunnels because of threats of attack by the United States, Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator said in an interview published Friday.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5974388/
Putin goes his own way....
Russia Agrees to Supply Nuke Fuel to Iran
Updated 4:12 PM ET February 25, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...88fp9mo7&src=ap
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Russia's top nuclear official will sign a deal Saturday to supply Iran with fuel for its first nuclear reactor, an Iranian official said. The agreement has safeguards meant to banish fears of misuse for nuclear weapons _ but it is sure to add to U.S. concerns a day after the U.S.-Russian presidential summit.
The United States and Israel fear the Iranians could use the Bushehr reactor to build nuclear weapons. Russia argues that cannot happen because the deal calls for spent fuel to be returned, and U.N. nuclear experts will monitor the facility.
President Bush's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Thursday touched on U.S. concerns over the Iranian reactor. But Putin has said he is sure Iran does not intend to build nuclear weapons, and Russian cooperation with the country would go ahead.
Russia Agrees to Supply Nuke Fuel to Iran
Updated 4:12 PM ET February 25, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...88fp9mo7&src=ap
By ALI AKBAR DAREINI
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Russia's top nuclear official will sign a deal Saturday to supply Iran with fuel for its first nuclear reactor, an Iranian official said. The agreement has safeguards meant to banish fears of misuse for nuclear weapons _ but it is sure to add to U.S. concerns a day after the U.S.-Russian presidential summit.
The United States and Israel fear the Iranians could use the Bushehr reactor to build nuclear weapons. Russia argues that cannot happen because the deal calls for spent fuel to be returned, and U.N. nuclear experts will monitor the facility.
President Bush's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Thursday touched on U.S. concerns over the Iranian reactor. But Putin has said he is sure Iran does not intend to build nuclear weapons, and Russian cooperation with the country would go ahead.
--------------------
11th-Hour Snag Delays Nuclear Fuel Deal Between Iran, Russia
--------------------
The parties expect to sign the pact today. U.S. officials have warned that Tehran may use the Moscow-built reactor for making atomic arms.
By David Holley
Times Staff Writer
February 27 2005
MOSCOW; Russia and Iran postponed signing a deal Saturday for Moscow to supply fuel for the Islamic Republic's first nuclear reactor in an apparent dispute over the timing of the initial delivery, but officials on both sides said they expected the agreement to be signed today.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,4431510.story
Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com
11th-Hour Snag Delays Nuclear Fuel Deal Between Iran, Russia
--------------------
The parties expect to sign the pact today. U.S. officials have warned that Tehran may use the Moscow-built reactor for making atomic arms.
By David Holley
Times Staff Writer
February 27 2005
MOSCOW; Russia and Iran postponed signing a deal Saturday for Moscow to supply fuel for the Islamic Republic's first nuclear reactor in an apparent dispute over the timing of the initial delivery, but officials on both sides said they expected the agreement to be signed today.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,4431510.story
Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com
U.S. Reviewing European Proposal for Iran
By STEVEN R. WEISMAN
The proposal would offer Iran trade benefits in return for
dismantling what is suspected of being a nuclear weapons
program.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/28/politics/28iran.html?th
By STEVEN R. WEISMAN
The proposal would offer Iran trade benefits in return for
dismantling what is suspected of being a nuclear weapons
program.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/28/politics/28iran.html?th
Bush Weighs Offers To Iran
By Robin Wright
The Bush administration is close to a decision to join Europe in offering incentives to Iran -- possibly including eventual membership in the World Trade Organization -- in exchange for Tehran's formal agreement to surrender any plans to develop a nuclear weapon, according to senior U.S. officials.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...er=emailarticle
By Robin Wright
The Bush administration is close to a decision to join Europe in offering incentives to Iran -- possibly including eventual membership in the World Trade Organization -- in exchange for Tehran's formal agreement to surrender any plans to develop a nuclear weapon, according to senior U.S. officials.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...er=emailarticle
Russia to Provide Fuel for Iranian Reactor
BUSHEHR, Iran, Feb. 27 -- Iran and Russia ignored U.S. objections and signed a nuclear fuel agreement Sunday that is key to bringing Iran's first reactor online by mid-2006.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...er=emailarticle
BUSHEHR, Iran, Feb. 27 -- Iran and Russia ignored U.S. objections and signed a nuclear fuel agreement Sunday that is key to bringing Iran's first reactor online by mid-2006.
To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...er=emailarticle
Iran, North Korea Focus of Nuclear Meeting
Updated 11:47 AM ET February 28, 2005
By GEORGE JAHN
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Iran received an "extensive" written offer from the nuclear black market in the 1980s, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency said Monday, reacting to reports that the list contained all the know-how required for weapons-related enrichment technology.....
Revealing details to The Associated Press on the weekend, the diplomats, requesting anonymity, said the new revelations indicated Iran had been offered full enrichment know-how earlier than previously believed. The diplomats said that, in cooperating with an IAEA investigation, Iran had turned over to the agency the initial written information from the network and had claimed to have refused offers of technology that specifically geared toward making nuclear weapons.
"They indicated that they did not take these people up on the entirety of the offer," ElBaradei said, alluding to the Iranian claim, adding, however, that the agency still had to "make sure that ... they only got what they told us they got out of this offer."
In giving the agency the written offer from the network of Pakistani scientist A. Q. Khan, Iran "showed us for the first time the offer they had, and that is good," ElBaradei told reporters.
However, he suggested in his opening remarks to the board meeting that Iran is providing information too late, saying that "in view of the past undeclared nature of significant aspects of Iran's nuclear program, a confidence deficit has been created."....
Among the problems to be discussed are delays by Tehran in informing the agency that it was building tunnels in the central city of Isfahan to house parts of its now-suspended uranium enrichment program, the diplomats said.
Mention also would be made of maintenance work on centrifuge parts and pipes by Iran that possibly violated the spirit of an agreement with the three European powers to totally freeze its enrichment program while negotiations were still ongoing. The Europeans hope to persuade Iran to scrap enrichment permanently.
In a potential strategy shift, the Bush administration is considering joining Europe in offering Iran economic incentives in exchange for abandoning its nuclear fuel program, the White House said Monday......
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...88hkmh00&src=ap
Updated 11:47 AM ET February 28, 2005
By GEORGE JAHN
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Iran received an "extensive" written offer from the nuclear black market in the 1980s, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency said Monday, reacting to reports that the list contained all the know-how required for weapons-related enrichment technology.....
Revealing details to The Associated Press on the weekend, the diplomats, requesting anonymity, said the new revelations indicated Iran had been offered full enrichment know-how earlier than previously believed. The diplomats said that, in cooperating with an IAEA investigation, Iran had turned over to the agency the initial written information from the network and had claimed to have refused offers of technology that specifically geared toward making nuclear weapons.
"They indicated that they did not take these people up on the entirety of the offer," ElBaradei said, alluding to the Iranian claim, adding, however, that the agency still had to "make sure that ... they only got what they told us they got out of this offer."
In giving the agency the written offer from the network of Pakistani scientist A. Q. Khan, Iran "showed us for the first time the offer they had, and that is good," ElBaradei told reporters.
However, he suggested in his opening remarks to the board meeting that Iran is providing information too late, saying that "in view of the past undeclared nature of significant aspects of Iran's nuclear program, a confidence deficit has been created."....
Among the problems to be discussed are delays by Tehran in informing the agency that it was building tunnels in the central city of Isfahan to house parts of its now-suspended uranium enrichment program, the diplomats said.
Mention also would be made of maintenance work on centrifuge parts and pipes by Iran that possibly violated the spirit of an agreement with the three European powers to totally freeze its enrichment program while negotiations were still ongoing. The Europeans hope to persuade Iran to scrap enrichment permanently.
In a potential strategy shift, the Bush administration is considering joining Europe in offering Iran economic incentives in exchange for abandoning its nuclear fuel program, the White House said Monday......
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...88hkmh00&src=ap
--------------------
Russia, Iran Sign Pacts on Nuclear Plant
--------------------
Moscow says Tehran will return all spent atomic fuel, thereby eliminating the possibility of its being used for weapons.
By David Holley
Times Staff Writer
February 28 2005
MOSCOW; Russia and Iran signed agreements Sunday that opened the way for Tehran to start up its first nuclear power plant next year, a step the Bush administration fears could help the Islamic Republic produce nuclear weapons.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,7973829.story
Russia, Iran Sign Pacts on Nuclear Plant
--------------------
Moscow says Tehran will return all spent atomic fuel, thereby eliminating the possibility of its being used for weapons.
By David Holley
Times Staff Writer
February 28 2005
MOSCOW; Russia and Iran signed agreements Sunday that opened the way for Tehran to start up its first nuclear power plant next year, a step the Bush administration fears could help the Islamic Republic produce nuclear weapons.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,7973829.story
http://www.debka.com/article.php?aid=992
Are Europe and Russia Ganging up on America over Iran?
DEBKAfile Special Report
Are Europe and Russia Ganging up on America over Iran?
DEBKAfile Special Report
U.N. Nuclear Chief Says Iran Must Cooperate
By REUTERS
The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency said
that Iran must be more forthcoming with inspectors looking
into its nuclear program.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/01/internat.../01iran.html?th
By REUTERS
The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency said
that Iran must be more forthcoming with inspectors looking
into its nuclear program.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/01/internat.../01iran.html?th
--------------------
The Force Bush Won't Use on Iran
--------------------
Robert Scheer
March 1 2005
U.S. policy toward Iran is now a big, dangerous mess. President Bush again has backed us into a corner with his confrontational framing of every dispute as one of pristine virtue versus stark evil, putting us out of sync with our allies in Europe and probably giving the ayatollahs in Tehran a public relations boost at home.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-...,7806881.column
The Force Bush Won't Use on Iran
--------------------
Robert Scheer
March 1 2005
U.S. policy toward Iran is now a big, dangerous mess. President Bush again has backed us into a corner with his confrontational framing of every dispute as one of pristine virtue versus stark evil, putting us out of sync with our allies in Europe and probably giving the ayatollahs in Tehran a public relations boost at home.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-...,7806881.column
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...ml?nav=hcmodule
IAEA Head Waits to Issue Iran Verdict
Nuclear Program Documents Sought
IAEA Head Waits to Issue Iran Verdict
Nuclear Program Documents Sought
Tuesday, 1 March, 2005, 18:04 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4290161.stm
Viewpoints: Iran's nuclear crisis
Iran says its nuclear regime is peaceful
Iran's nuclear ambitions cause alarm in many countries. The US suspects Iran wants to build a nuclear bomb, has vowed to prevent this, and wants Tehran to halt all nuclear activities.
Britain, France and Germany are trying to persuade Iran to scrap its uranium enrichment programme in exchange for technological and financial aid.
But Tehran insists that its intentions are strictly civilian.
We asked eight commentators for their views on the crisis.
What do you think about the issue? Please use the form at the bottom of the page to tell us your views.
"The EU and US must pursue the good cop, bad cop routine"
Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...0161.stm#pletka
"No one has a right to interfere with Iran's nuclear activities"
Radzhab Safarov, Centre for Iranian Research, Moscow
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...161.stm#safarov
"There is a real possibility of strikes against Iran"
Dr Ali Ansari, University of St Andrews
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...0161.stm#ansari
"The US should continue the pressure of a military option"
Dr Ephraim Kam, Jaffe Centre for Strategic Studies, Tel Aviv
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4290161.stm#kam
"Only a small number of Iranians want nuclear weapons"
Professor Nasser Hadian, University of Tehran
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...0161.stm#nasser
"The US and European positions are about as distant as could be"
Francois Heisbourg, Fondation Pour la Recherche Strategique
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...1.stm#heisbourg
"The Iranians need some really big carrots"
Sanam Vakil, Council on Foreign Relations, Washington
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...90161.stm#vakil
"The Iranian regime is not willing to enter into a grand bargain"
Dr Mehrdad Khonsari, Centre for Arab and Iranian studies
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...61.stm#khonsari
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4290161.stm
Viewpoints: Iran's nuclear crisis
Iran says its nuclear regime is peaceful
Iran's nuclear ambitions cause alarm in many countries. The US suspects Iran wants to build a nuclear bomb, has vowed to prevent this, and wants Tehran to halt all nuclear activities.
Britain, France and Germany are trying to persuade Iran to scrap its uranium enrichment programme in exchange for technological and financial aid.
But Tehran insists that its intentions are strictly civilian.
We asked eight commentators for their views on the crisis.
What do you think about the issue? Please use the form at the bottom of the page to tell us your views.
"The EU and US must pursue the good cop, bad cop routine"
Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...0161.stm#pletka
"No one has a right to interfere with Iran's nuclear activities"
Radzhab Safarov, Centre for Iranian Research, Moscow
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...161.stm#safarov
"There is a real possibility of strikes against Iran"
Dr Ali Ansari, University of St Andrews
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...0161.stm#ansari
"The US should continue the pressure of a military option"
Dr Ephraim Kam, Jaffe Centre for Strategic Studies, Tel Aviv
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4290161.stm#kam
"Only a small number of Iranians want nuclear weapons"
Professor Nasser Hadian, University of Tehran
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...0161.stm#nasser
"The US and European positions are about as distant as could be"
Francois Heisbourg, Fondation Pour la Recherche Strategique
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...1.stm#heisbourg
"The Iranians need some really big carrots"
Sanam Vakil, Council on Foreign Relations, Washington
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...90161.stm#vakil
"The Iranian regime is not willing to enter into a grand bargain"
Dr Mehrdad Khonsari, Centre for Arab and Iranian studies
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_ea...61.stm#khonsari
http://www.antiwar.com/engelhardt/?articleid=5024
Attacking Iran: I know it sounds crazy, but . . .
Ray McGovern and Tom Engelhardt
Attacking Iran: I know it sounds crazy, but . . .
Ray McGovern and Tom Engelhardt
--------------------
Iran Yields Little in Talks With Monitors
--------------------
It turns down a U.N. request to reinspect a nuclear site and says it won't permanently halt uranium enrichment.
By Alissa J. Rubin
Times Staff Writer
March 2 2005
VIENNA; Iran turned down a request by United Nations nuclear monitors for a second inspection of a military site, and an Iranian representative said Tuesday that a permanent moratorium on uranium enrichment was "not on the table."
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,6627491.story
Iran Yields Little in Talks With Monitors
--------------------
It turns down a U.N. request to reinspect a nuclear site and says it won't permanently halt uranium enrichment.
By Alissa J. Rubin
Times Staff Writer
March 2 2005
VIENNA; Iran turned down a request by United Nations nuclear monitors for a second inspection of a military site, and an Iranian representative said Tuesday that a permanent moratorium on uranium enrichment was "not on the table."
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,6627491.story
The heightened rhetoric follows reports the US may consider offering Iran economic incentives.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0302/dailyUpdate.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0302/dailyUpdate.html
--------------------
U.S. Appears Poised to Support European Incentives for Iran
--------------------
By Tyler Marshall
Times Staff Writer
March 3 2005
WASHINGTON; President Bush and his closest foreign policy advisors convene today to grapple with an important shift in U.S. policy toward Iran: how best to support a European diplomatic initiative to prevent the Middle East nation from becoming a nuclear weapons state.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,5735357.story
U.S. Appears Poised to Support European Incentives for Iran
--------------------
By Tyler Marshall
Times Staff Writer
March 3 2005
WASHINGTON; President Bush and his closest foreign policy advisors convene today to grapple with an important shift in U.S. policy toward Iran: how best to support a European diplomatic initiative to prevent the Middle East nation from becoming a nuclear weapons state.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/wo...0,5735357.story
March 1, 2005
Robert Scheer
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/o...ack=3&cset=true
The Force Bush Won't Use on Iran
U.S. policy toward Iran is now a big, dangerous mess. President Bush again has backed us into a corner with his confrontational framing of every dispute as one of pristine virtue versus stark evil, putting us out of sync with our allies in Europe and probably giving the ayatollahs in Tehran a public relations boost at home.....
The sad fact, however, is that Bush's irrational policies and rhetoric have left the mostly fundamentalist leaders of Iran defending a more logical position than that of our own government on three counts.
First, it is our government that has long proclaimed the wonders of something called "the peaceful uses of atomic energy" to counterbalance the horror of having unleashed the power of the atomic bomb on Japanese civilians in World War II. In asserting its right to build nuclear power plants, Tehran is emulating the United States. The pact signed on Sunday in which Russia will supply the fuel for an Iranian nuclear power plant but Tehran will return spent fuel would seem to remove the threat that Iran's now fully constructed Bushehr plant will be producing nuclear weapons material.
Second, the U.S. has been woefully uncaring about nuclear proliferation except when it proves politically convenient, as with the false prewar claim that Saddam Hussein's Iraq might be close to acquiring or producing nuclear weapons.
Another example came after 9/11, when Washington dropped anti-proliferation sanctions against Pakistan while Bush focused his wrath on Iraq. Ironically, it was back in 1987, when the U.S. was backing Hussein in his war with Iran, that Pakistan's top scientist first made overtures to sell nuclear technology to the ayatollahs in Tehran. ....
Finally, how can the president continue to escalate the rhetoric against Iran given that his invasion of neighboring Iraq has handed control of the country to Shiites trained in Tehran, like Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, as well as Kurds who have enjoyed significant Iranian support over the years?
So, tangled history aside, what should the U.S. do now about a repressive and potentially threatening government in Iran? The one thing Bush strangely has refused to do throughout the world: practice the principles of capitalism.
The model for such a policy, which emphasizes normal trade relations even with regimes that have religious and political obsessions different from our own, was most successfully employed by Richard Nixon in his famous opening to "Red" China, as well as in the detente period that should properly be credited with the ultimate fall of the Soviet empire.
The most powerful liberalizing forces the U.S. wields are not military, but economic and cultural. Though not as macho as trying to spread democracy through the barrel of a gun, normalization offers a better prospect of accomplishing that end, while saving billions of dollars and priceless lives.
Robert Scheer
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/o...ack=3&cset=true
The Force Bush Won't Use on Iran
U.S. policy toward Iran is now a big, dangerous mess. President Bush again has backed us into a corner with his confrontational framing of every dispute as one of pristine virtue versus stark evil, putting us out of sync with our allies in Europe and probably giving the ayatollahs in Tehran a public relations boost at home.....
The sad fact, however, is that Bush's irrational policies and rhetoric have left the mostly fundamentalist leaders of Iran defending a more logical position than that of our own government on three counts.
First, it is our government that has long proclaimed the wonders of something called "the peaceful uses of atomic energy" to counterbalance the horror of having unleashed the power of the atomic bomb on Japanese civilians in World War II. In asserting its right to build nuclear power plants, Tehran is emulating the United States. The pact signed on Sunday in which Russia will supply the fuel for an Iranian nuclear power plant but Tehran will return spent fuel would seem to remove the threat that Iran's now fully constructed Bushehr plant will be producing nuclear weapons material.
Second, the U.S. has been woefully uncaring about nuclear proliferation except when it proves politically convenient, as with the false prewar claim that Saddam Hussein's Iraq might be close to acquiring or producing nuclear weapons.
Another example came after 9/11, when Washington dropped anti-proliferation sanctions against Pakistan while Bush focused his wrath on Iraq. Ironically, it was back in 1987, when the U.S. was backing Hussein in his war with Iran, that Pakistan's top scientist first made overtures to sell nuclear technology to the ayatollahs in Tehran. ....
Finally, how can the president continue to escalate the rhetoric against Iran given that his invasion of neighboring Iraq has handed control of the country to Shiites trained in Tehran, like Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, as well as Kurds who have enjoyed significant Iranian support over the years?
So, tangled history aside, what should the U.S. do now about a repressive and potentially threatening government in Iran? The one thing Bush strangely has refused to do throughout the world: practice the principles of capitalism.
The model for such a policy, which emphasizes normal trade relations even with regimes that have religious and political obsessions different from our own, was most successfully employed by Richard Nixon in his famous opening to "Red" China, as well as in the detente period that should properly be credited with the ultimate fall of the Soviet empire.
The most powerful liberalizing forces the U.S. wields are not military, but economic and cultural. Though not as macho as trying to spread democracy through the barrel of a gun, normalization offers a better prospect of accomplishing that end, while saving billions of dollars and priceless lives.
Tuesday, 1 March, 2005, 21:09 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4309777.stm
Iran rejects repeat visit to base
The IAEA is urging Iran to be more open to inspections
Iran has rejected a request by nuclear inspectors to pay a second visit to a military base, the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said.
The US suspects nuclear experiments aimed at building an atomic bomb might be under way at facilities in Parchin.
While UN inspectors were allowed to visit the site in January, they were kept away from a number of buildings.
But the agency acknowledged Tehran had allowed access to nuclear material and facilities "in a timely manner".
Even though Iran is not required to allow access to sites where there is no clear indication of ongoing nuclear experiments, Western diplomats believe that by allowing such inspections, Iran would prove it was not working on a bomb.
But in a written statement to the IAEA on Sunday, Iranian authorities said there was "no justification for any additional visit" to the site, 30km (20 miles) south-east of Tehran.
The agency's deputy director, Pierre Goldschmidt, also mentioned Iran's refusal to answer questions about another facility, the Lavizan site in the capital.
Incentives
He also said that a December visit to an uranium conversion facility at Isfahan, inspectors had found an extensive tunnel was being dug under the plant.
Iran, which argued the tunnel would be used to store equipment in case of a US or Israeli attack, had failed to report its intention to go ahead with the extensive excavation work.
Finally, he said Iran had refused to back down on plans to build a heavy-water reactor which could produce plutonium for bomb-making.
Iran has always insisted it is carrying out atomic research merely to produce electricity.
But Britain, France and Germany have been trying to persuade it to stop producing enriched uranium, which can be used both for civil and military purposes, and accept a package of incentives in return.
On Sunday, the IAEA's director-general, Mohamed El Baradei, called on Iran to step up its collaboration with the inspectors, and warned that the inquiry into its nuclear potential might be lengthy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4309777.stm
Iran rejects repeat visit to base
The IAEA is urging Iran to be more open to inspections
Iran has rejected a request by nuclear inspectors to pay a second visit to a military base, the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said.
The US suspects nuclear experiments aimed at building an atomic bomb might be under way at facilities in Parchin.
While UN inspectors were allowed to visit the site in January, they were kept away from a number of buildings.
But the agency acknowledged Tehran had allowed access to nuclear material and facilities "in a timely manner".
Even though Iran is not required to allow access to sites where there is no clear indication of ongoing nuclear experiments, Western diplomats believe that by allowing such inspections, Iran would prove it was not working on a bomb.
But in a written statement to the IAEA on Sunday, Iranian authorities said there was "no justification for any additional visit" to the site, 30km (20 miles) south-east of Tehran.
The agency's deputy director, Pierre Goldschmidt, also mentioned Iran's refusal to answer questions about another facility, the Lavizan site in the capital.
Incentives
He also said that a December visit to an uranium conversion facility at Isfahan, inspectors had found an extensive tunnel was being dug under the plant.
Iran, which argued the tunnel would be used to store equipment in case of a US or Israeli attack, had failed to report its intention to go ahead with the extensive excavation work.
Finally, he said Iran had refused to back down on plans to build a heavy-water reactor which could produce plutonium for bomb-making.
Iran has always insisted it is carrying out atomic research merely to produce electricity.
But Britain, France and Germany have been trying to persuade it to stop producing enriched uranium, which can be used both for civil and military purposes, and accept a package of incentives in return.
On Sunday, the IAEA's director-general, Mohamed El Baradei, called on Iran to step up its collaboration with the inspectors, and warned that the inquiry into its nuclear potential might be lengthy.
Iran nuclear plans under pressure
Wednesday, 2 March, 2005, 17:56 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4311077.stm
.....France, the UK and Germany, the three European countries who are leading negotiations with Tehran on the issue, expressed concern about Iran's recent cleaning and quality control work on centrifuge parts.
Robert Wright, heading the UK delegation to the IAEA meeting, urged Iran to keep its pledge to suspend activities linked to uranium enrichment.
"We understand this decision as a voluntary commitment to suspend all, meaning each and every, enrichment-related activities. We urge Iran to keep to this voluntary commitment," he said.
The US ambassador at the IAEA, Jackie Sanders, said Tuesday's report provided a "startling list" of Iranian attempts to hide and mislead.
"The IAEA is still not able to provide assurances that Iran is not pursuing clandestine activities at undeclared locations," she said.
there goes our loud mouth ambassadors again....
The agency could not ignore its statutory obligation to report Iran to the UN Security Council, she added.
Economic incentives
But the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna says such a move is highly unlikely at present.
It would seriously undermine diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to give up its enrichment programme, she says. ....
Wednesday, 2 March, 2005, 17:56 GMT
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4311077.stm
.....France, the UK and Germany, the three European countries who are leading negotiations with Tehran on the issue, expressed concern about Iran's recent cleaning and quality control work on centrifuge parts.
Robert Wright, heading the UK delegation to the IAEA meeting, urged Iran to keep its pledge to suspend activities linked to uranium enrichment.
"We understand this decision as a voluntary commitment to suspend all, meaning each and every, enrichment-related activities. We urge Iran to keep to this voluntary commitment," he said.
The US ambassador at the IAEA, Jackie Sanders, said Tuesday's report provided a "startling list" of Iranian attempts to hide and mislead.
"The IAEA is still not able to provide assurances that Iran is not pursuing clandestine activities at undeclared locations," she said.
there goes our loud mouth ambassadors again....
The agency could not ignore its statutory obligation to report Iran to the UN Security Council, she added.
Economic incentives
But the BBC's Bethany Bell in Vienna says such a move is highly unlikely at present.
It would seriously undermine diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to give up its enrichment programme, she says. ....
Iran nukes may invite attack by other regional power’:
General John Abizaid, head of the US Central Command, told members of Congress he was surprised the Iranian military had not given more thought to the strategic consequences of acquiring nuclear weapons.
http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?ne...=&f_type=source
http://tinyurl.com/5hgb2
General John Abizaid, head of the US Central Command, told members of Congress he was surprised the Iranian military had not given more thought to the strategic consequences of acquiring nuclear weapons.
http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?ne...=&f_type=source
http://tinyurl.com/5hgb2
Entire Bushehr project under IAEA control, says Russian FM :
Iran`s nuclear reactor in Bushehr poses no risks to peace in the Middle East and Moscow has received no protests from the west about its assistance on the project, says Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov
http://www.irna.ir/?SAB=OK&LANG=EN&PART=_N...=20050303162607
http://tinyurl.com/4w8hm
Iran`s nuclear reactor in Bushehr poses no risks to peace in the Middle East and Moscow has received no protests from the west about its assistance on the project, says Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov
http://www.irna.ir/?SAB=OK&LANG=EN&PART=_N...=20050303162607
http://tinyurl.com/4w8hm
Iran's arguments for nuclear power make some sense:
Iran's argument that despite vast oil and gas reserves it needs nuclear power to meet booming energy demand holds more water than U.S. officials give credit.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml...&storyID=683282
http://tinyurl.com/5qk7p
Iran's argument that despite vast oil and gas reserves it needs nuclear power to meet booming energy demand holds more water than U.S. officials give credit.
http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml...&storyID=683282
http://tinyurl.com/5qk7p
U.S. sees deceit in Iran’s nuke claims :
The United States accused Iran on Wednesday of “cynically” pursuing nuclear weapons, saying Tehran’s claims that its aims were peaceful constituted willful deceit and required action by the U.N. Security Council.
http://nsnlb.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll...0303008/-1/news
http://tinyurl.com/3nad2
The United States accused Iran on Wednesday of “cynically” pursuing nuclear weapons, saying Tehran’s claims that its aims were peaceful constituted willful deceit and required action by the U.N. Security Council.
http://nsnlb.us.publicus.com/apps/pbcs.dll...0303008/-1/news
http://tinyurl.com/3nad2
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