Posted on 12/05/2005 1:54:25 AM PST by DoctorZIn
Top News Story
Iran OKs Bill to Block Nuclear Inspections
Nasser Karimi, The Associated Press:Iran's hard-line constitutional watchdog approved a bill Saturday blocking international inspections of atomic facilities if the nation is referred to the U.N. Security Council for possible sanctions, state-run television reported. The ratification by the Guardian Council means the bill - overwhelmingly approved by parliament last month - now needs just a presidential signature to become law. It was not clear when that would take place. READ MORE
The bill will strengthen the government's hand in resisting international pressure to permanently abandon uranium enrichment, a process that can produce fuel for either nuclear reactors or atomic bombs.
Iran has been under intense pressure to curb its nuclear program, which the United States claims is part of an effort to produce weapons. Iran says its program is aimed at generating electricity.
While Iran has frozen its enrichment program, it restarted uranium conversion - a step toward enrichment - in August. The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned Iran that its nuclear program could be referred to the Security Council, which has the power to impose sanctions for violations of a nuclear arms control treaty.
"If Iran's nuclear file is referred or reported to the U.N. Security Council, the government will be required to cancel all voluntary measures," the bill says, meaning Iran would stop allowing in-depth inspections by the IAEA.
Iran has been allowing short-notice inspections of those facilities under a protocol to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
The United States and European Union want Iran to permanently halt uranium enrichment. But Tehran says the nonproliferation treaty allows it to pursue a nuclear program for peaceful purposes, and it maintains it will never give up the right to enrich uranium to produce nuclear fuel.
In May, the Guardian Council ratified a bill compelling the government to continue the nuclear program, including uranium enrichment activities. The law set no timetable, however, allowing the government room to maneuver during negotiations with the European Union.
Those talks with Britain, France and Germany broke off in August after Tehran restarted uranium conversion. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Wednesday that talks would resume within the next two weeks.
- MehrNews reported that the Chairman of the Majlis Energy Commission said that preparatory measures have been taken to sell oil in euros instead of dollar, adding: the United States would soon realize that it is not the one who can always inflict economic damages.
- Bangkok Post reported that Iran said it sees no need to give any explanations over its $1-billion-dollar missile deal with Russia.
- IranMania reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is expected to visit Saudi Arabia early December.
- Press Trust of India reported that the United States has taken a low profile position on the reported sale of Russian missiles to Iran.
- Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader has ordered a major reshuffle of the top brass of the armed forces in anticipation of a very tough year ahead.
- Newsweek reported that Ahmadinejad has lost the full faith of Iran's Supreme Leader.
- Khaleej Times Online reported that Ahmadinejad has shunned a VIP jet plane bought by his predecessor.
- Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that an Iranian morning daily urged Muslim states to set up an Iran-style Basij (volunteer) force.
- The New York Times reported that the US and EU3 a seeking the declaration on Iran from the five major nuclear weapons powers.
- IranMania reported that Ahmadinejad is expected early next week to make another attempt at confirming a candidate for oil minister. Four name have been cited as likely candidates.
- Philip Sherwell, The Telegraph UK reported that in response to President George W Bush authorization for his ambassador in Baghdad to talk to Iranian officials, Michael Ledeen said: The Islamic republic will never do anything to help us, our soldiers, or our allies. The Iranians ... see themselves as our gravediggers.
- Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 reported that Ahamdinejad is talking of reorienting the country's policies to be ready for judgement day, the equivalent of Tony Blair telling Britons to prepare for Christ's second coming.
- And finally, Cox & Forkum published another cartoon: Mullahs in Space.
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Iran Focus reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader has ordered a major reshuffle of the top brass of the armed forces in anticipation of a very tough year ahead.
The fact that the "reshuffle" involves moving military leaders into government positions means an almost Nazi
like restructuring is going on.
Preparations for war continue apace.
bump
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