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Disco Cat
iS A PoiNdexteR

Registered: 09/15/00
Posts: 2,601
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Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003
#7720324 - 12/05/07 04:01 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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MOSCOW, December 5 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has no information on Iranian attempts to develop nuclear weapons before 2003, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.
His statement came following a Monday publication by the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) stating that Tehran had halted weapons production in 2003, although it was continuing to enrich uranium.
"We have no data that such work was conducted before 2003, although our American colleagues have claimed that this was the case," Lavrov told a news conference.
"During our continuous contacts over the last two or three years we exchanged assessments based on intelligence data obtained before 2003, and the information our U.S. colleagues possess does not support the statements that Iran ever had a military nuclear program," Lavrov said.
The Russian minister said the issue still needs to be clarified, a goal set by the UN nuclear watchdog.
The UN Security Council introduced two rounds of sanctions against Iran over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, and Washington has insisted on new sanctions. Lavrov said the sensible restrictions will remain in place until all enrichment issues have been clarified by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"We will consider the proposal on a new UN Security Council resolution taking into account all these factors, including the public confirmation that the U.S. has no data that would corroborate that Iran had a military nuclear program," the minister said.
The U.S. report, contradicting a previous U.S. intelligence assessment in 2005 which said that Iran was actively pursuing a nuclear bomb, has pleased Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said: "That report symbolizes a victory for the Iranian nation against international forces on the issue of nuclear weapons."
But Lavrov said the U.S. position on Iran has not toned down since the publication. "I would not describe the U.S. position as softer in any way," he said.
U.S. President George W. Bush remained hawkish, despite the report, saying on Tuesday that, "Iran was dangerous, Iran is dangerous and Iran will be dangerous if they have the know how to make a nuclear weapon."
When asked if military action remained an option, the president answered, "The best diplomacy - effective diplomacy - is one in which all options are on the table."
"What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program?" the president told a news conference at the White House.
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Arp
roving mycophagist


Registered: 04/20/98
Posts: 2,191
Loc: in a van by the river
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Re: Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003 [Re: Disco Cat]
#7720416 - 12/05/07 04:21 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Null evidence of prior production wouldn't surprise me at all.
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Disco Cat
iS A PoiNdexteR

Registered: 09/15/00
Posts: 2,601
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Re: Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003 [Re: Disco Cat]
#7723000 - 12/06/07 02:20 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Visionary Tools



Registered: 06/23/07
Posts: 7,953
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Re: Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003 [Re: Disco Cat]
#7723249 - 12/06/07 06:30 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Since when has the truth ever stopped criminals going to war?
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
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Re: Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003 [Re: Arp]
#7723268 - 12/06/07 06:38 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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> Null evidence of prior production wouldn't surprise me at all.
What do you mean by production? They were certainly researching and actively seeking nuclear weapon technology in the past. As far as I know, they never produced an actual weapon as they lacked weapons grade fuel. However, the actual design and construction of a non-implosion uranium based nuclear weapon is trivial.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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fireworks_god
Sexy.Butt.McDanger



Registered: 03/12/02
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Re: Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003 [Re: Disco Cat]
#7723299 - 12/06/07 06:55 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Disco Cat said: "What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program?" the president told a news conference at the White House.
He's really grasping for air with this one.
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If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
Last seen: 2 months, 20 days
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Re: Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003 [Re: fireworks_god]
#7723329 - 12/06/07 07:09 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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> "What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program?"
To be fair, they don't need one. All they need is fuel, and they are well on their way to that goal. However, such a weapon would be very large, heavy, and difficult to deliver.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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ivi


Registered: 01/30/03
Posts: 9,089
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Re: Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003 [Re: Disco Cat]
#7723355 - 12/06/07 07:27 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah, Sergei Lavrov can say whatever he wants to. Russia has a very special relationship with Iran. But god, I hope US of A stays well out of Iran.
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zorbman
blarrr



Registered: 06/04/04
Posts: 5,952
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Re: Russia dismisses U.S. claims Iran sought nuke prior to 2003 [Re: Seuss]
#7723616 - 12/06/07 09:01 AM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
However, such a weapon would be very large, heavy, and difficult to deliver.
President Bush would have us believe that Iran would be stupid enough to actually pass on a nuke with their freakin' return address on it to terrorists who would then use it on us.
He tried the same absurd argument with Iraq.
When it comes to President Bush and pre-war intelligence I think it's safe to begin with the assumption he's lying and work from there given his record of deception and manipulation.
-------------------- “The crisis takes a much longer time coming than you think, and then it happens much faster than you would have thought.” -- Rudiger Dornbusch
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