Iran Tests First Nuclear Power Plant -- Blix: ''Iran Must Weigh Costs And Benefits'' Of Enrichment --- UANI In The LA Times
Tue, 02/24/2009 - 20:00 | by uaniadmin<!--[if gte mso 9]>
<![endif]-->CNN reported that ''Iran tested its first nuclear power plant Wednesday, a stride that prompted one Iranian technician to declare it was 'independence day' for the Islamic republic. Tests were carried out at the Bushehr nuclear power plant using 'dummy' fuel rods, loaded with lead in place of enriched uranium to simulate nuclear fuel.'' (http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/25/iran.nuclear.plant/)
Former UN weapons inspector, Hans Blix, wrote in the Guardian that ''Iran has invested resources and prestige in its enrichment programme. Can it walk away from it? Well, it would not be the first in the world to abandon nuclear plants. Under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty there is a right to enrich, but there is no duty to use the right. Iran must weigh costs and benefits. It must be aware that buying uranium fuel would be less costly than producing it, and that forgoing such production would be compensated by strong international fuel-supply assurances. And finally, it must be aware that enrichment in Iran might lead to enrichment in other Middle East countries.'' (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/25/iran-nuclear-weapons)
Reporting on the appointment of Amb Ross at the State Department, the LA Times mentioned UANI. ''Ross has argued for an aggressive approach to efforts to dissuade Iran from pursuing nuclear know-how, including ratcheting up economic pressure on the Iranian government. He is co-founder of a group called United Against Nuclear Iran, which aims to stop Tehran's nuclear program.'' (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-ross25-2009feb25,0,1130306.story)
Representatives from that National Iranian American Council and the National Foreign Trade Council coauthored a letter in the Washington Times responding to Amb Wallace's oped. (http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/25/dont-punish-american-workers/)
The LA Times reported that ''The competition for the Iranian presidency has begun in unusual haste, with the candidates trading sharp barbs four months before a crucial election that hinges on the state of the economy and probably will influence the Islamic Republic's relations with the United States.'' (http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-iran-campaign25-2009feb25,0,295526.story)
AFP reported that ''The head of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Tuesday slammed Iran's stance towards its Arab neighbours, particularly Bahrain, despite Tehran's interior minister saying a crisis with the small country was over.'' (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hMVV6iP19G9OyOknILsiQChkMmCg)
Reuters reported that ''The U.S. navy has no information that Iran has begun construction of planned new naval bases on the eastern approach to the Gulf, a senior commander said on Wednesday.'' (http://uk.reuters.com/article/usTopNews/idUKTRE51O3BT20090225)
CBS reported that ''Iranian judges will soon sentence seven members of a religious minority arrested a year ago. The members of the Baha'i faith, in jail since the spring of 2008, have been accused of spying for Israel.'' (http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/02/25/world/worldwatch/entry4826933.shtml)
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