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A nuclear weapons free Middle East in the interests of Israel and Iran

the US can build trust with Iran by supporting a nuclear-free Middle East. While critics would label such a policy stand unrealistic and such a regional agreement far-fetched, it may be in the best interests of both Israel and Iran.

Insisting on zero-enrichment for Iran seems to have already become unrealistic

America needs to change tack on handling Iran Washington can build trust with Tehran by committing itself to a nuclear-free Middle East Gulf News, By Hooshang Amirahmadi and Shahir Shahidsaless, Christian Science Monitor  March 12, 2012  If the US wants to
avoid military strikes on Iran and still wants a diplomatic settlement for the nuclear dispute with the Islamic Republic, Washington must stop talking from both sides of its mouth. Continue reading →

March 12, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

USA must not let Israel push it into attacking Iran

 1. There is no hard evidence that Iran is building a bomb…..

2. Bombing Iran would probably be illegal….

3. America doesn’t need another war. ….

4. Bombing Iran could destroy the citizens’ rampant pro-America feelings. ….

5. Diplomacy, not military action, is still the best option…. 

5 Reasons the U.S. Should Not Bomb Iran, Sorry, Israel. Americans aren’t ready for another war. The Philly Post, Christopher Moraff, 8 Mar 12, Less than a year after publicly lecturing  Barack Obama on the subject of Palestinian statehood, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was back in Washington over the weekend, determined to convince the American president and congressional lawmakers that a preemptive military strike offers the last, best hope for stopping the Iranian regime from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Bibi’s full-court press included a speech before the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) where—to the sound of rattling sabers—he drew parallels to the Holocaust  and insisted: “I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation.”

Pro-Israel groups, meanwhile, are using the debate over what to do about Iran’s nuclear program to delegitimize  President Obama while waging a smear campaign against critics of a preemptive strike.

They’re joined by three of the four Republican candidates for president, who interrupted their Super Tuesday campaigning just long enough to engage in a bit of politicized fear-mongering. Mitt Romney took the cake with his ludicrous assessment that, “If Barack Obama gets re-elected, Iran will have a nuclear weapon.”…

Continue reading →

March 10, 2012 Posted by | politics international, USA | Leave a comment

Conciliatory approach by Iran’s supreme leader

Iran’s supreme leader praises Barack Obama over war stance, 
Iran’s supreme leader took the unusual step of praising President Barack Obama for eschewing the language of war on Thursday, raising hopes that he may genuinely be seeking a negotiated solution to Tehran’s nuclear impasse with the West. Telegraph, By Adrian Blomfield, 08 Mar 2012 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei chose to ignore a toughening in US rhetoric towards Iran in recent days, focusing instead on Mr Obama’s insistence that there was still a “window of opportunity” to resolve the dispute with Tehran in a peaceful manner.
“We heard two days ago that the US president said that (they) are not thinking about war with Iran,” the Iranian leader was quoted as saying. “These words are good words and an exit from delusion.”
Although the ayatollah’s compliment was undoubtedly barbed, it represented a significant departure from the virulently anti-Western demagoguery he normally employs, leading some observers to suggest that he was sending a conciliatory message to Washington…..
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/9131974/Irans-supreme-leader-praises-Barack-Obama-over-war-stance.html

March 9, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

Even Netanyatu’s supporters offended by his inflammatory remarks about Iran

Netanyahu’s references to Holocaust in relation to Iran nuclear threat bother some Israelis Washington Post By Associated Press, March 7 JERUSALEM — The Israeli prime minister’s linking of Iran to Nazi Germany evoked ringing applause this week at a gathering of a pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington. Back home, though, it drew some heavy criticism.

The Nazi Holocaust of World War II is a delicate and charged topic in Israel, and many felt Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated equating of the Nazis with the possible modern-day threat of a nuclear-armed Iran went too far..

…. His parallels were clear: Just as the Nazis tried to exterminate European Jewry during World War II, Netanyahu implied that Iran’s apparent pursuit of nuclear weapons is part of a plot to wipe Israel off the map. “Never again” is the signature phrase of the Jewish pledge that the Holocaust must not be repeated.

Critics accused Netanyahu of both cheapening the memory of the Holocaust and unnecessarily escalating tensions at a time when the U.S. was urging restraint….. Yehuda Bauer, a Holocaust scholar at Israel’s national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, said Netanyahu’s Auschwitz analogy in Washington this week was “sheer nonsense.” While acknowledging the dangers of a nuclear Iran, Bauer said, “to bring up Auschwitz is a cheap way of gaining public attention.”
The uproar caused some discomfort even among Netanyahu’s supporters.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/netanyahus-references-to-holocaust-in-relation-to-iran-nuclear-threat-bother-some-israelis/2012/03/07/gIQAFC6GxR_story.html

March 8, 2012 Posted by | Israel, politics international | Leave a comment

Killing Iran’s nuclear scientists – counter productive says U.S. security agency

Assassinations will not stop Iran’s nuclear program: ISIS Press TV 7 March 12, The US-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) says killing Iranian nuclear scientists will not delay the progress of Tehran’s nuclear energy program.

In its March 7 report on Iran, the institute focused on the situationof the Iranian nuclear energy program and efforts by Western countries to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear capability.

Referring to Western efforts to stymie Iran’s nuclear energy program, the report said the assassination of Iranian scientists or threatening Tehran with a possible military strike were not good options for preventing the progress of the country’s nuclear energy program.

Pointing to the disadvantages of employing “risky” strategies against Iran, the report said, “Assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists and engineers have occurred with greater frequency but should be stopped because they carry too high a risk of retaliation.”

Moreover, the ISIS report added, assassinations are unlikely to be effective in setting back the Iranian nuclear energy program because they involve thousands of specialists and ingrained know-how.

The institute cautioned the West that “Iran might argue that assassinations are equivalent to a military attack and use this as justification for further provocations.”

“An under-siege mentality created by use of such tactics could motivate Iran to further degrade its cooperation with IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] and resist offers of
negotiation,” the report stated. … http://presstv.com/detail/230477.html

March 8, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

6 World Powers to Resume Nuclear Talks With Iran

World Powers Agree to Resume Nuclear Talks With Iran, NYT, By   and  , March 6, 2012 BERLIN — For the first time in more than a year the global powers dealing with Iran ’s disputed nuclear program  said Tuesday that they would resume face-to-face negotiations. “I have offered to resume talks with Iran on the nuclear issue,” said Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign affairs chief, who represents the United States, Russia, China, France, Britain and Germany in dealings with Iran. “We hope that Iran will now enter into a sustained process of constructive dialogue which will deliver real progress.”…..

 Fears of a pre-emptive Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities have driven up oil prices and represent a threat to the already fragile state of a global economy still reeling from a sovereign debt crisis in Europe . At the same time, the Iranians have acutely felt the squeeze from sanctions aimed at pressing the government to freeze its uranium enrichment program.

The resumed talks represent a significant step forward, because all six parties agreed to participate……http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/07/world/middleeast/iran-agrees-to-inspection-of-secret-military-site-report-says.html

March 7, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

Obama makes hawkish noises about Iran

Obama warns Iran he’s not bluffing over nuclear weapons, Herald Sun, by: By Mark S Smith & Anne Gearan in Washington From: AP March 03, 2012  US President Barack Obama warned that he is not bluffing about attacking Iran if it builds a nuclear weapon, in an interview published overnight

In his most expansive remarks on the issue so far, Mr Obama told The Atlantic magazine that Iran and Israel both understand that “a military component” is among a mix of options for dealing with Iran, along with sanctions and diplomacy. Continue reading →

March 3, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international, USA | Leave a comment

Non Aligned Movement states support Iran’s nuclear energy program

NAM approves statement in support of Iran’s nuclear program http://www.tehrantimes.com/component/content/article/96006 Tehran Times, 2 march 12, TEHRAN – The Non-Aligned Movement member states approved a statement in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program on Thursday. Continue reading →

March 3, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

India prepares to stop visas for anti nuclear foreigners – 77 non government organisations scrutinised

77 foreign NGOS under watch, face visa woes, Sanjib Kr Baruah & Aloke Tikku, Hindustan Times http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/77-foreign-NGOS-under-watch-face-visa-woes/Article1-819518.aspx New Delhi, March 02, 2012 The government has put 77 foreign NGOs on its global watchlist, making it difficult for their officials to get visas to India. The step comes within days of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh complaining that foreign NGOs were trying to influence Indian policies and projects.

The ministry put together the list based on information from intelligence agencies and the suspicious conduct of representatives of these NGOs in the past. Top government sources said the watchlist had been circulated to all Indian missions and posts with an advice to “monitor” visa requests from the NGOs – a euphemism for putting the applications through greater scrutiny that would lead to delays or rejection.

Officials refused to name the NGOs, insisting this would have serious diplomatic repercussions. But one of them confirmed that most were from the US and European Union. In 2010, US-based NGOs accounted for one-third of the foreign funds worth Rs 9,000 crore to Indian NGOs.

In an interview to Science magazine, the PM had blamed NGOs funded by US and Scandinavian countries for campaigning against the Kudankulam nuclear project and use of biotechnology.

March 2, 2012 Posted by | India, politics international | Leave a comment

North Korea agrees to stop nuclear missile tests, allow inspections

N. Korea suspends nuclear testing, Inspections will also be allowed, News telegram, By Steven Lee Myers and Choe Sang-Hun THE NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON, 1 Mar 12,  —  North Korea announced Wednesday that it would suspend nuclear weapons tests and uranium enrichment and allow international inspectors to monitor activities at its main
nuclear complex, a step that raised the possibility of ending a diplomatic impasse that has allowed the country’s nuclear program to continue with no international oversight for years.

Although the Obama administration called the steps “important, if limited,” they nonetheless signaled that the country’s new leader, Kim Jong Un, is at least willing to engage with the United States, which pledged in exchange to ship tons of food aid to the isolated, impoverished nation. … http://www.telegram.com/article/20120301/NEWS/103019834/1116

March 2, 2012 Posted by | North Korea, politics international | Leave a comment

China, South Korea, Japan, welcome North Korea’s nuclear freeze deal

China backs US-N. Korea nuclear freeze deal, Google News, By Simon Martin (AFP) –1 March 12 SEOUL — China Thursday welcomed North Korea’s agreement to freeze nuclear activities in return for massive US food aid, a deal that raised cautious hopes of eased tensions under Pyongyang’s new young leader.

South Korea and Japan also hailed Pyongyang’s commitment to suspend its uranium enrichment programme along with nuclear and long-range missile tests, and to let UN nuclear inspectors monitor the deal. The announcement follows the death in December of longtime leader Kim Jong-Il and the transition to his untested son Jong-Un.

The deal could boost the son’s prestige in the run-up to a major celebration next month, marking 100 years since the birth of the Kim dynasty’s late founding leader Kim Il-Sung.
The breakthrough followed US-North Korean talks in Beijing last week,
the first under the new regime.
China, the North’s sole major ally and economic prop, welcomed the warmer relations between North Korea and its longtime foe the United States. “China is willing to work with relevant parties to continue to push forward the six-party talks process, and play a constructive role to realise long-term peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and
northeast Asia,” said foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

The six-nation nuclear disarmament talks have been stalled for some three years. But the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the United States have been talking for months about ways to revive them…..
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jKKHWf-qQHojxMIQehsl0CPJaV6Q?docId=CNG.2c225bad7647d7052c9c04aa3cf15915.251

March 2, 2012 Posted by | North Korea, politics international | Leave a comment

Iran denounces nuclear weapons as ‘Great Sin” – West not so sure

Iran says nuclear weapons are a ‘great sin’  ABC Radio 702, 29 Feb 12, Iran condemned production of atomic weapons as a “great sin” as it called for more talks with the United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog. The country is facing growing international pressure over its nuclear program, which it says is peaceful but Western powers suspect could
have a military dimension. Continue reading →

February 29, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

Some progress in USA – North Korea nuclear talks

U.S. nuclear talks with N. Korea produce progress but no breakthrough, Washington Post,   By Chico Harlan,   February 24,  TOKYO — The United States’ nuclear negotiations with North Korea ended Friday with “a little bit of progress” but no breakthrough, said chief U.S. negotiator Glyn Davies, who hinted that a long and slow process will determine Pyongyang’s willingness to swap its weapons program for aid. Continue reading →

February 25, 2012 Posted by | North Korea, politics international | Leave a comment

Two big hurdles to USA selling nuclear reactors to India

US control regime a hurdle in N-deal, Deccan Herald, Kalyan Ray New Delhi, Feb 22, 2012,  US export control regime has become a major stumbling block for concluding commercial nuclear agreements under the four-year-old Indo-US civil nuclear agreement signed in 2008 for peaceful uses of nuclear power.

US nuclear suppliers on Wednesday identified their own country’s control regime as the spoil sport for entering into agreements with Indian companies. The most immediate concern for the two US nuclear majors – GE and Westinghouse – is a specific provision in the US export control rules under which they have to obtain clearance from the US government not only for supplying reactors to NPCIL but also for other Indian companies involved in constructing a nuclear power plant. “The 810 licence in the US export control regime is the most immediate issue,” Aris S Candris, president and chief executive officer of Westinghouse told Deccan Herald.  on the sidelines of an international nuclear symposium here.

At the symposium organised by the World Nuclear Association, both Westinghouse and GE flagged 810 licence as the most immediate stumbling block to kick-start nuclear commerce between the two countries, though both admitted that stiff Indian nuclear liability regime posed another big hurdle. India currently plans to purchase two AP-1000 light water reactors from Westinghouse to install in Chhaya Mithi Virdi in Gujarat and two 1000 MW reactors from GE for Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh. However, land acquisition process has not started yet.

Candris said Westinghouse obtained the 810 approval for the Indian operator, Nuclear Power Corporation of India  and regulator, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. But it needed similar clearance for other nuclear industry players like Larsen and Toubro as well as other companies who will be engaged in constructing nuclear power plant….. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/229404/us-control-regime-hurdle-n.html

February 23, 2012 Posted by | India, politics international | Leave a comment

A Jewish plea for sanity on Iran

 The only realistic option is to allow Iran to enrich uranium in return for enhanced oversight and inspection of its nuclear program.

Leaders of Cleveland’s Jewish community urgently need to promote discussion of this best option for Israel and the U.S. before it is too late.

Allow Iran to enrich uranium, http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/opinion/op-eds/article_56abe920-5c9b-11e1-88cc-001871e3ce6c.html  Cleveland Jewish News, February 17, 2012  Norman Robbins  If you’re pro-Israel and want to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon, it’s time to leave the U.S./Israeli echo chamber that gives only two ineffective options – more sanctions or war.
First, some background. It is vitally important to distinguish between nuclear “break-out” capability and the actual building of a nuclear weapon. As long as Iran is not attacked, it has many reasons to achieve nuclear capability but not manufacture.

An attack on Iran by nuclear powers such as Israel and the U.S. in the absence of concrete evidence of actual nuclear bomb manufacture would violate international law and be intensely criticized by most of the world. It would legitimize a subsequent crash-program of bomb-making by Iran, as many experts anticipate. Therefore, not making a bomb actually serves Iran as a better deterrent than manufacture, which would cross an obvious “red line.”

In addition, Iran has genuine religious compunctions about building a weapon of mass destruction, as it showed by choosing not to use chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq war , by Ayatollah Khamenei’s fatwa against nuclear weapons and by Iran’s support of a nuclear-free Middle East. Also, it is inconceivable that Iran would pre-emptively use a nuclear weapon against Israel, when it would kill huge numbers of Palestinians, contaminate Islam’s third-most holy site, enrage the entire Muslim world, and suffer Israel’s terrible retaliation. In fact, three directors of Israel’s intelligence (Ephraim Halevy, Meir Dagan and Tamir Pardo), who should know best, have said that Iran poses no “existential” threat to Israel. Continue reading →

February 22, 2012 Posted by | Iran, politics international | Leave a comment

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