Eye On Iran: Minister Says Iran Won't Ship Uranium Abroad -- Big Powers to Meet on Iran on Friday -- Iranian Laptop With Nuclear Data Stolen in Tehran
Thu, 11/19/2009 - 11:51 | by uaniadminThe AP reported that "Six world powers will meet in Brussels to discuss what measures could be applied against Tehran for its refusal to halt its nuclear enrichment program, an EU official said Thursday. Friday's meeting will include the U.N. Security Council's permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the U.S. - plus Germany, the official said on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to disclose details of the gathering." http://bit.ly/1DXNXJ
Bloomberg News reported that "A laptop computer belonging to an Iranian nuclear scientist and carrying confidential data about Iran's atomic facilities was stolen in Tehran. 'Foreign intelligence services' stole the computer, the Iranian Jahan News Web site said without giving further details. Iran is under three sets of United Nations Security Council sanctions, the first imposed in December 2006, for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment. The U.S. has its own sanctions and the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a measure to further restrict trade with Iran by targeting companies that supply the country with refined petroleum products." http://bit.ly/8MHZV
The New York Times reported that "President Obama delivered a stern message on Thursday to North Korea and Iran that they risk further sanctions and isolation if they do not rein in their nuclear ambitions. Appearing at a joint press conference with President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea, Mr. Obama singled out Iran, where leaders have apparently rejected an offer from the West to take Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium to another country to turn it into fuel rods, which would buy time for diplomatic negotiations. 'We've seen indications that for internal political reasons or perhaps because they are stuck in some of their own rhetoric, they are unable to get to 'yes,'' Mr. Obama said. 'As a consequence, we have begun discussion with our international partners' on sanctions, he said." http://bit.ly/MIB5E
Reuters reported that "Iran's foreign minister on Thursday dismissed the possibility of sanctions over Tehran's rejection of a deal to send enriched uranium abroad for further processing. 'Sanction was the literature of the 60s and 70s,' Manouchehr Mottaki said at a news conference during a visit to the Philippines. 'I think they are wise enough not to repeat failed experiences,' he said, speaking through an interpreter. 'Of course it's totally up to them.'" http://bit.ly/37GfNa
Reuters reported that "Western powers are gearing up for talks on a fourth round of U.N. sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program but will not target Iran's energy sector to ensure Russia's and China's support. The decision to begin exploring the possibilities for new punitive measures against Tehran reflects the growing impatience in the United States, Britain, France and Germany, the four Western powers that have joined forces with Russia and China to persuade Iran to freeze parts of its nuclear program. 'We have waited long enough for Iran,' a European diplomat said on condition of anonymity. 'We and our friends in the (six powers) agree it is time to consider next steps at the U.N.'" http://bit.ly/VOJpL
AFP reported that "An alliance between Iran and Venezuela is a necessity at this point in time according to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuelan officials said here Wednesday. The Iranian leader made the comment during a visit to Tehran by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, the foreign ministry said. 'Collaboration between revolutionary nations like Iran and Venezuela is necessary during this period of time,' Ahmadinejad in a statement, calling for bilateral ties to be expanded." http://bit.ly/sEG3n
The Financial Times reported that "Barack Obama, the US president, yesterday sought to convince China to increase pressure on Iran's nuclear program - but received no public commitment that Beijing would support sanctions. After meeting Hu Jintao, China's president, Mr Obama said both had agreed Iran 'must provide assurances to the international community that its nuclear program is peaceful and transparent'. He added that if Tehran 'fails to take this opportunity, there will be consequences'. But Mr Hu merely said: 'To appropriately resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations is very important to stability in the Middle East.'" http://bit.ly/48fQgX
The AP reported that "The families of three American hikers detained in Iran have filed a petition with the Iranian mission to the United Nations. The petition has 2,500 signatures and was submitted to the U.N. on Wednesday. It seeks the release of 27-year-old Shane Bauer, 31-year-old Sarah Shourd and 27-year-old Josh Fattal (fah-TAHL'). Their families say the three accidentally crossed an unmarked border into Iran while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan on July 31." http://bit.ly/2JD4zG
The Wall Street Journal reported that "The uranium-enrichment deal was at first seen as a potential breakthrough in the Obama administration's diplomatic outreach to Iran. Washington has so far indicated it is willing to wait out discussions, but Western officials have said they aren't willing to offer significant alternatives to the pact. The White House now views next week's meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors as a key moment to assess the way forward. U.S. officials said the administration is walking a delicate diplomatic path. They acknowledge Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears to be using negotiations to limit U.N. pressure while also working to legitimize his government domestically." http://bit.ly/2lc9Is
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that "Maryland divested $38.3 million from the British company Royal Dutch Shell for investing in Iran's petroleum industry. The state's pensions and investments board also notified 13 other companies that their Iran and Sudan investments are being monitored, according to the Baltimore Jewish Times. In 2008, the Maryland General Assembly voted to eliminate any company from its economic portfolio that invests more than $20 million annually in Iranian petroleum following a similar law passed by Maryland regarding Sudan. The state governments of Missouri, New York and Ohio have enacted similar laws." http://bit.ly/4sN26Y
Mark Bowden wrote in Thursday's Wall Street Journal that "So 30 years after seizing power, the mullahs of Qom find themselves in a difficult spot. To turn back the domestic tide of reform they must employ the very tools employed by the despised shah-mass arrests and trials, torture, execution and censorship. Older Iranians recognize this approach as the very thing they rebelled against in 1979. Younger Iranians have the same energy and spirit as their elders, only this time around, the revolutionary rhetoric of change is no longer anti-American and Islamist. Iranians want real democracy." http://bit.ly/39ub06
Howard LaFranchi wrote in a news analysis piece for the Christian Science Monitor that "But Iran's decision appeared to leave no option to the Obama administration but to proceed to the 'consequences' that Secretary Clinton has repeatedly said a rejection would prompt. In Washington, members of Congress and Iran analysts who have been dubious about the prospects for engagement with Iran were quick to call for sanctions. 'The idea that somehow we could bring the Iranians into submission through dialogue or let somebody else pressure them, I believe that game should now be over,' says Henry Sokolski, executive director of the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center in Washington." http://bit.ly/1KThZX
Join us on
Search