 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Israel has power to defend against Iran: Olmert
Jerusalem (AFP) March 4, 2008 Israel has the necessary might and power to defend itself against any threat from arch-foe Iran, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Tuesday. "Israel certainly considers itself menaced by Iran," he said. "Israel possesses the might and the power to defend itself against any threat." He spoke after the Islamic republic was slapped with a third round of sanctions by the UN Security Council over its controversial nuclear programme. The premier also said that more sanctions should be imposed on Tehran to stop it from acquiring nuclear capabilities. "I think that additional measures should be taken. What type of measures? Those who should apply them should decide on them." Israel considers Iran its top enemy following repeated calls by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the Jewish state to be wiped off the map. Widely considered to be the Middle East's sole if undeclared nuclear power, Israel and its main ally Washington suspect Tehran of trying to develop atomic arms under the guise of its nuclear programme, a charge Iran denies. The Security Council on Monday imposed its third set of sanctions against Iran in the space of 15 months to punish Tehran's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment. Tehran has slammed the move, accusing the world body of being manipulated by the West.
earlier related report On the second day of its regular March meeting here, a push by Western nations for a resolution against Iran was dropped amid objections from Russia, China and developing countries, diplomats said. Just a day after the UN Security Council slapped a third set of sanctions on Iran over its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, European countries drafted a resolution which they wanted to put to the International Atomic Energy Agency's board of governors here. But the text was finally ditched after its opponents -- notably the Russians, the Chinese and the so-called Non-Aligned Movement -- argued it was superfluous following the UN Security Council decision. The Iran issue itself was expected to be discussed by the board on Wednesday. "It wasn't only the Russians and the Chinese. More than that, the decision in New York speaks for itself," one Western diplomat said. Furthermore, it could prove counter-productive and lead Iran to reduce cooperation with the IAEA, other diplomats said. Cuban Ambassador Norma Goicochea Estenoz told reporters that the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), a bloc of nations of which she is chair, was opposed to such a resolution. "We don't think that there is any need for a draft resolution. In our opinion, it would damage the environment of cooperation and confidence-building between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the agency," she said. The idea of a separate IAEA resolution had been to turn up the pressure on Iran to clear up allegations of alleged nuclear weapons work just a day after the UN Security Council decision. Western diplomats felt recent intelligence suggesting Tehran is involved in nuclear weapons work would have sufficiently raised concern within the IAEA to ensure the passage of such a resolution at the agency's board meeting. Last week, the IAEA board was shown intelligence from a number of independent sources that suggested Tehran is involved in a uranium conversion project, high explosives tests and a missile re-entry vehicle modified to accommodate what could be a nuclear warhead. The information also suggested Iran continued nuclear weapons work beyond the 2003 date cited in a recent US intelligence report. Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Soltanieh launched a counter-offensive Tuesday, inviting the press to a power point presentation of his own, entitled "A Short Glance at Iran's Peaceful Nuclear Activities." However, the hour-long presentation offered little of substance to refute the intelligence and Soltanieh simply reiterated his assertion that the information was fake. "The alleged studies were thoroughly reviewed in two rounds of talks and we gave our final assessment. The issue is over," he said. The IAEA has complained that simple denials on Tehran's part are not enough and that a "full-fledged examination" of the matter was necessary to determine the full scope and nature of Tehran's nuclear drive. The UN resolution in New York gives Iran three months to comply with UN and IAEA demands to suspend uranium enrichment and reprocessing to help restore international confidence in the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme or face new sanctions. It includes an outright ban on travel by officials involved in Tehran's nuclear and missile programs, and broadens a list of individuals and entities subject to an assets freeze. Western countries say Iran's uranium enrichment activities are aimed at developing nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists it is only interested in energy production. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
US needs nuclear weapons for rest of century: general
Washington (AFP) March 4, 2008The commander of US strategic forces said Tuesday the United States will need nuclear weapons as a deterrent for the rest of the 21st century and should move now to field more modern weapons. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
