WP: Review Finds Iran Far From Nuclear Bomb

[kskiska]

Estimate of Progress Contrasts With Administration Statements

Tuesday, August 2, 2005; A01

A major U.S. intelligence review has projected that Iran is about a decade away from manufacturing the key ingredient for a nuclear weapon, roughly doubling the previous estimate of five years, according to government sources with firsthand knowledge of the new analysis.

The carefully hedged assessments, which represent consensus among U.S. intelligence agencies, contrast with forceful public statements by the White House. Administration officials have asserted, but have not offered proof, that Tehran is moving determinedly toward a nuclear arsenal. The new estimate could provide more time for diplomacy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. President Bush has said that he wants the crisis resolved diplomatically but that "all options are on the table."

The new National Intelligence Estimate includes what the intelligence community views as credible indicators that Iran's military is conducting clandestine work. But the sources said there is no information linking those projects directly to a nuclear weapons program. What is clear is that Iran, mostly through its energy program, is acquiring and mastering technologies that could be diverted to bombmaking.

The estimate expresses uncertainty about whether Iran's ruling clerics have made a decision to build a nuclear arsenal, three U.S. sources said. Still, a senior intelligence official familiar with the findings said that "it is the judgment of the intelligence community that, left to its own devices, Iran is determined to build nuclear weapons."

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/01/AR2005080101453.html

[whistle]

1. John Bolton will overturn that idea

[Trillo]

2. This whole thing seems like a bad rerun of the events leading to Iraq. nt

[Pirate Smile]

3. Well, it looks like somebody is going to be getting fired.

How dare they actually try to do their job instead of just being a propaganda mouthpiece!

[AlGore-08.com]

4. That settles it, we have to invade NOW!

If we don't, the terrorists will have won.

:sarcasm:

[wtmusic]

5. Do we have any fuzzy pictures? Can I see some fuzzy pictures?

I'll see you, and raise you a mobile weapons lab! :silly:

[iconoclastic cat]

6. Condi presses the button: "Well, Alhazred, do you have the...you know..."

"The...WMDs?"
"Yes...the WMDs."
Condi stops the tape.
"See?" she says.

[halobeam]

7. Is it me or am I detecting "others" that are trying to stop the madness

BEFORE it begins again in another country????

We can only hope the media keeps the controversy upfront against what bullshit the WH is spewing about Iran by major US intellegence.

Now we need agents behind a curtain disguising their voices saying the WH is lying about Iran's capabilities too.

[Judi Lynn]

8. US intelligence says Iran 10 years away from nuclear bomb: report

US intelligence says Iran 10 years away from nuclear bomb: report

August 02, 2005, 09:48 gmt


Iranian nuclear neqotiator Ali Agha Mohammadi gives a press conference in Tehran
© AFP Atta Kenare
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Iran is some 10 years away from manufacturing highly enriched uranium to make a nuclear device, The Washington Post said quoting officials with access to a new intelligence review.

Iran is some 10 years away from manufacturing highly enriched uranium to make a nuclear device, The Washington Post said quoting officials with access to a new intelligence review.

Ordered by the National Intelligence Council in January, the National Intelligence Estimate on Iran doubles the amount of time the White House believes Iran is away from building a nuclear weapon from five years in the previous estimate in 2001, the daily said.

The estimate, designed to alert the US president to national security developments, said there were credible indicators that Iran's military was conducting clandestine work, but nothing to indicate they were related to a nuclear weapons program, according to sources familiar with the report.
(snip/...)

http://www.bakutoday.net/afps/english/shared/int/050802074838.nxtykwys.html

[annabanana]

9. NIC.....

I guess they haven't been gutted by the b*shistas yet...

[rodeodance]

10. should give more time to negoiate--thus no excuse for any rush to war.

[swag]

11. Iran Is Judged 10 Years From Nuclear Bomb

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/01/AR2005080101453_pf.html

Iran Is Judged 10 Years From Nuclear Bomb
U.S. Intelligence Review Contrasts With Administration Statements

By Dafna Linzer
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 2, 2005; A01

A major U.S. intelligence review has projected that Iran is about a decade away from manufacturing the key ingredient for a nuclear weapon, roughly doubling the previous estimate of five years, according to government sources with firsthand knowledge of the new analysis.

The carefully hedged assessments, which represent consensus among U.S. intelligence agencies, contrast with forceful public statements by the White House. Administration officials have asserted, but have not offered proof, that Tehran is moving determinedly toward a nuclear arsenal. The new estimate could provide more time for diplomacy with Iran over its nuclear ambitions. President Bush has said that he wants the crisis resolved diplomatically but that "all options are on the table."

. . . more

[Hayduke]

12. This on the same day that 7 Marines die in combat

F this admin!

[Laughing Mirror]

13. Something to keep in mind about Iran going nukular

Words of wisdom, as always, from the eminent Immanuel Wallerstein's latest commentary:

On July 18, 2005, the United States and India issue a joint statement, which celebrated the new Strategic Partnership between the two. Three days later, the Chinese government revalued upward the yuan in relation to the U.S. dollar, something which the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, John Snow, had been requesting for some time, and which he praised effusively. Both represent significant shifts in the world geopolitical structure. The two are more closely linked than the world press has noticed, and neither is quite what it seems.

. . .

Was then the new Indo-U.S. joint statement a victory for U.S. diplomacy? In it, the U.S. for the very first time legitimated India's role as a nuclear power, by promising India that it "will work to achieve full civil nuclear energy cooperation with India as it realizes its goals of promoting nuclear power and achieving energy security." This of course undermined enormously the already weak position of the U.S. in opposing Iranian nuclear ambitions, since what India has received from the U.S. is precisely what Iran has been claiming is its right, "full civil nuclear energy."

And in return, what did the U.S. get? - a promise "to combat terrorism relentlessly." Since India was already doing this, it wasn't very much. Meanwhile, India is maintaining its close relations with Iran and Russia, and even (on paper) a strategic alliance with China. More importantly, India is proceeding with Project Seabird, aimed at turning it into the major military power in the Indian Ocean. This does not make the Chinese too happy, to be sure, but it shouldn't make the U.S. too happy either, since at the moment, it is the U.S. that is the major military power in the Indian Ocean.

more ...

http://fbc.binghamton.edu/commentr.htm