Bush Administration Expresses Concern on Iranian Intention to Share Nuclear Technology
Iran’s stated intention to share its nuclear technology with other nations is a cause for concern, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday.
We “have to be concerned when there are statements from Iran that Iran would not only have this technology, but would share it, share technology and expertise,” said Rice, traveling in Turkey.
“That’s one of the fears, that there would be that kind of escape, if you will, of technology and expertise,” she said, according to the Associated Press.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said his country was “against the expansion of nuclear arms in our region” and that he hoped “this issue is solved peacefully as a result of diplomatic efforts.”
Earlier in Greece, Rice did not receive the support she sought for sanctions again Tehran.
“We believe there must be coordination within the European Union, and decisions will be taken within the framework of the Security Council,” said Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis (Anne Gearan, Associated Press/ABCNews.com, April 26).
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton yesterday said Iran’s threat to share nuclear technology was worrisome, Agence France-Presse reported.
“It shows how irresponsible Iran is and why it represents, in our view, a grave threat of proliferation,” Bolton said. “This is exactly the kind of conduct we have feared, exactly the kind of conduct that risks the spread of nuclear technology and ultimately the spread of nuclear weapons” (Agence France-Presse I/Yahoo!News, April 25).
U.S. officials have said an International Atomic Energy Agency report to the United Nations due Friday is certain to find that Iran has failed to comply with agency and Security Council demands that it halt uranium enrichment, AFP reported today.
However, tough Security Council action remains unlikely in the face of opposition from permanent members Russia and China. Washington has in turn redoubled its lobbying efforts for action outside the council framework. It has suggested implementation of asset freezes, travel restrictions on Iranian leaders or trade restrictions.
Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns urged an embargo on weapons-related technology sales to Tehran, while Undersecretary of State Robert Joseph pressed Arab countries to crack down on Iranian bank accounts and front companies and to intercept suspect shipments.
“We’re just talking about the reality of how the world works and diplomacy works,” Burns said. “You have to work through a variety of channels.”
France and the United Kingdom are expected in the coming weeks to introduce a resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which authorizes possible sanctions or force, AFP reported (Peter Mackler, Agence France-Presse II, April 26).
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today that Iran would ignore all Security Council demands to halt its nuclear program, AFP reported.
“We won’t back down one iota on our lawful and inalienable rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, the head of Iran’s nuclear agency, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, was in Vienna “for technical talks” with IAEA deputy chief Olli Heinonen, said agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming.
Aghazadeh is also due to meet with Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, one diplomat said.
“The Iranians are coming here to provide information. If they do, they might get to see ElBaradei, otherwise there is nothing to talk about,” said another diplomat.
The first diplomat said the Iranian visit “doesn’t mean much.” ElBaradei was “upset” that Iran rejected his personal appeal in Tehran earlier this month to comply with agency demands, the diplomat said.
Iran has proposed to continue only the work it has begun while temporarily forgoing expansion of its enrichment program. Diplomats said Aghazadeh may revisit this idea (Michael Adler, Agence France-Presse III/Yahoo!News, April 26).
Iran’s top clerical leader said today that Tehran would retaliate against U.S. interests worldwide if Washington launches an attack on Iran, Reuters reported.
“The Americans should know that if they assault Iran their interests will be harmed anywhere in the world that is possible,” said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “The Iranian nation will respond to any blow with double the intensity” (Alireza Ronaghi, Reuters, April 26).
We “have to be concerned when there are statements from Iran that Iran would not only have this technology, but would share it, share technology and expertise,” said Rice, traveling in Turkey.
“That’s one of the fears, that there would be that kind of escape, if you will, of technology and expertise,” she said, according to the Associated Press.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said his country was “against the expansion of nuclear arms in our region” and that he hoped “this issue is solved peacefully as a result of diplomatic efforts.”
Earlier in Greece, Rice did not receive the support she sought for sanctions again Tehran.
“We believe there must be coordination within the European Union, and decisions will be taken within the framework of the Security Council,” said Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis (Anne Gearan, Associated Press/ABCNews.com, April 26).
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton yesterday said Iran’s threat to share nuclear technology was worrisome, Agence France-Presse reported.
“It shows how irresponsible Iran is and why it represents, in our view, a grave threat of proliferation,” Bolton said. “This is exactly the kind of conduct we have feared, exactly the kind of conduct that risks the spread of nuclear technology and ultimately the spread of nuclear weapons” (Agence France-Presse I/Yahoo!News, April 25).
U.S. officials have said an International Atomic Energy Agency report to the United Nations due Friday is certain to find that Iran has failed to comply with agency and Security Council demands that it halt uranium enrichment, AFP reported today.
However, tough Security Council action remains unlikely in the face of opposition from permanent members Russia and China. Washington has in turn redoubled its lobbying efforts for action outside the council framework. It has suggested implementation of asset freezes, travel restrictions on Iranian leaders or trade restrictions.
Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns urged an embargo on weapons-related technology sales to Tehran, while Undersecretary of State Robert Joseph pressed Arab countries to crack down on Iranian bank accounts and front companies and to intercept suspect shipments.
“We’re just talking about the reality of how the world works and diplomacy works,” Burns said. “You have to work through a variety of channels.”
France and the United Kingdom are expected in the coming weeks to introduce a resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. charter, which authorizes possible sanctions or force, AFP reported (Peter Mackler, Agence France-Presse II, April 26).
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today that Iran would ignore all Security Council demands to halt its nuclear program, AFP reported.
“We won’t back down one iota on our lawful and inalienable rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, the head of Iran’s nuclear agency, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, was in Vienna “for technical talks” with IAEA deputy chief Olli Heinonen, said agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming.
Aghazadeh is also due to meet with Director General Mohamed ElBaradei, one diplomat said.
“The Iranians are coming here to provide information. If they do, they might get to see ElBaradei, otherwise there is nothing to talk about,” said another diplomat.
The first diplomat said the Iranian visit “doesn’t mean much.” ElBaradei was “upset” that Iran rejected his personal appeal in Tehran earlier this month to comply with agency demands, the diplomat said.
Iran has proposed to continue only the work it has begun while temporarily forgoing expansion of its enrichment program. Diplomats said Aghazadeh may revisit this idea (Michael Adler, Agence France-Presse III/Yahoo!News, April 26).
Iran’s top clerical leader said today that Tehran would retaliate against U.S. interests worldwide if Washington launches an attack on Iran, Reuters reported.
“The Americans should know that if they assault Iran their interests will be harmed anywhere in the world that is possible,” said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “The Iranian nation will respond to any blow with double the intensity” (Alireza Ronaghi, Reuters, April 26).
posted by Marko at 4/26/2006 03:56:00 PM
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