Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday praised a recent U.S. intelligence report on Iran’s nuclear activities (Atta Kenare/Getty Images). No New Iran Sanctions Yet The U.N. Security Council member nations and Germany were unable to decide yesterday what punitive measures to include in a proposed sanctions resolution against Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment activities, Reuters reported (see GSN, Dec. 11). U.S. State Department Sean McCormack said political directors from China, Russia, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States discussed a draft resolution for about 90 minutes...Full Story

Egypt Refuses to Sign Nonproliferation Protocol Egypt’s foreign minister said yesterday that his nation would not enter into an agreement permitting International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit its nuclear sites with little advance warning, Reuters reported (see GSN, Nov. 21)...Full Story

Nations Discuss North Korean Energy Aid Representatives from the six-party nations met today in Beijing to discuss energy assistance that North Korea would receive for shuttering its nuclear program, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Dec. 11)...Full Story

	Wednesday, December 12, 2007

No New Iran Sanctions Yet The U.N. Security Council member nations and Germany were unable to decide yesterday what punitive measures to include in a proposed sanctions resolution against Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment activities, Reuters reported (see GSN, Dec. 11). U.S. State Department Sean McCormack said political directors from China, Russia, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States discussed a draft resolution for about 90 minutes. They are still working to finalize the proposal, McCormack said. “It was a good, constructive phone call.  We're not there yet.  But our hope ... is that in the coming weeks that we could have a resolution that is voted on in the Security Council,” he said. McCormack said the world powers have not shifted their strategy or tactics in response to a new U.S. intelligence assessment that Iran halted nuclear weapons development four years ago, but he refused to specify if Russia and China supported the new sanctions during the call. “What is very interesting about this is that we're not talking about whether or not there's going to be a resolution, but we're talking about what are the elements to a new Security Council resolution," he said, noting that the officials plan another telephone discussion in the near future (Sue Pleming, Reuters I/Yahoo!News, Dec. 11). Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad encouraged the United States yesterday to take more steps to engage his country, calling last week’s release of the National Intelligence Estimate a “positive” move, Reuters reported. “We evaluate this (report) as a positive step, and a step forward and if they take one or two more steps the situation will be totally different … the road will be paved for resolving regional and international issues,” he said. “We think that any such measures (for new sanctions) has lost its legal basis,” Ahmadinejad said. When questioned on how Iran would react to a new sanctions resolution, Ahmadinejad replied, “The Iranian nation is capable of defending its interests and in accordance with the decisions they take, the Iranian nation takes its decisions.” “Now is the time for them to change their behavior,” he said (Parisa Hafezi, Reuters II, Dec. 11). U.S. President George W. Bush yesterday called on Iran to admit that it ran a secret nuclear weapons program and to explain to the world why it did so, the Associated Press reported. “Iran is dangerous,” he said.  “We believe Iran had a secret military weapons program, and Iran must explain to the world why they had a program.” Responding to Ahmadinejad’s call for gestures of reconciliation, Bush said, “You had a hidden program that was a military program. … We think you have shut it down now.  You have an obligation to explain to the world loud and clear why you had a military program.  Do you intend to start it up again.  In other words, the ball is in their court.” “Iran has an obligation to explain to the [International Atomic Energy Agency] why they hid this program from them,” Bush said. Bush’s delivered his remarks immediately after meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano. “Iran is dangerous, and they'll be even more dangerous if they learn how to enrich uranium," Bush said.  “So I look forward to working with [Napolitano] … to explain our strategy and to figure out ways we can work together to prevent this from happening for the sake of world peace.” Bush administration spokeswoman Dana Perino said the Iranian president’s comments yesterday were “fanciful thinking” (Associated Press I/International Herald Tribune, Dec. 11). Administration officials have been expressing increasing frustration over the last week that the new U.S. intelligence report on Iran emphasized the country’s suspension of nuclear weapons development over its push to speed up uranium enrichment, the New York Times reported today. Some U.S. Defense Department officials have suggested the report might have worsened the Iranian nuclear standoff by narrowing international options to pressure Iran diplomatically.  The officials added that much of the public has interpreted the report as an indication that Iran does not pose a nuclear threat (Myers/Shanker, New York Times, Dec. 12). In Tehran, former top Iranian nuclear negotiator Hassan Rohani called Ahmadinejad a president lacking “a meaningful foreign policy” who is unable to alleviate Iran’s economic troubles, AP reported. Rohani has retained his position on Iran’s national security council and is now a member of both the Experts Assembly and Expediency Council, two influential Iranian clerical bodies. “It's not clear what goals this government is pursuing,” Rohani told the Iranian newspaper Jam-e-Jam. “In addition to that … it has failed to make use of opportunities.” By making moves toward halting Iranian uranium enrichment in 2003, Rohani said, he and his staff prevented the United States from invading the country. “The year 2003 was when the U.S. had gained victory in Afghanistan and Iraq and was thinking of invading Iran,” Rohani said.  Traces of highly enriched uranium were found in 2003 at Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment complex although construction of the enrichment and reprocessing sites was not yet finished. “A lot of noise was created … but we repelled the (U.S.) threats,” Rohani said, saying his team successfully resolved tensions and referred disputes to the International Atomic Energy Agency (Associated Press II/International Herald Tribune, Dec. 11). Back to top       Egypt Refuses to Sign Nonproliferation Protocol Egypt’s foreign minister said yesterday that his nation would not enter into an agreement permitting International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit its nuclear sites with little advance warning, Reuters reported (see GSN, Nov. 21). Egypt ratified the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 1981 but it has not signed Additional Protocol to its safeguards agreement with the U.N. nuclear watchdog. Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in a speech yesterday that Egypt’s planned civilian nuclear energy expansion does not obligate the country to submit to a new safeguards regime. “It's necessary to adhere to the principle of not linking the provision of nuclear energy with the acceptance of obligations not specified in treaties and agreements,” Gheit said.  “Egypt will not accept any additional obligations in this matter.” Developing nations are forced to become “permanently dependent on developed countries” for nuclear assistance because they are pressured to agree to restrictions on their nuclear efforts,” he said. Some analysts have said the United States might provide Egypt with nuclear energy development assistance if Cairo signed the Additional Protocol and pledged not to develop uranium enrichment or reprocessing capabilities. “There are attempts by some to make accession to the Additional Protocol a precondition to supplying nuclear technology,” he said, noting that “the protocol remains in reality a voluntary instrument that cannot be imposed” (Reuters, Dec. 11). Back to top       Nations Discuss North Korean Energy Aid Representatives from the six-party nations met today in Beijing to discuss energy assistance that North Korea would receive for shuttering its nuclear program, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, Dec. 11). The talks were expected to focus on providing materials beyond fuel oil and on how the assistance would be divided between the five nations negotiating with Pyongyang — China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States. A Japanese official said today that negotiators had not finalized any specific aid plans, Kyodo News reported. “There was a certain level of progress, but we have not reached a point where the list is finalized,” the official said.  “That will be coordinated through diplomatic channels.” Under a denuclearization agreement reached in February, North Korea would receive 1 million tons of oil and related energy assistance.  It has already received limited fuel shipments and is set this month to receive 5,000 tons of steel plating from South Korea. Pyongyang wants no more than 450,000 tons of oil, AFP reported.  The rest of the assistance would come as aid in repairing decaying energy facilities (Agence France-Presse/Spacewar.com, Dec. 12). North Korea is also pushing to be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, which would give it greater access to the international financial system. U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) on Monday submitted a resolution that sets a number of conditions for taking Pyongyang off the list, the Yonhap News Agency reported. The Bush administration should not change North Korea’s designation until it is verifiably found to have halted WMD proliferation and counterfeiting of U.S. currency, according to the resolution.  He also sought dismantlement of a North Korean party bureau suspected of drug trafficking, counterfeiting and other illicit activities. “If the United States takes the step of removing North Korea from the terrorism list, let’s at least make clear the conditions for such a removal,” Brownback said in a prepared statement.  “I question the merits of the State Department’s decision to remove North Korea from its terrorism list.” “It is important that the United States sends a loud and clear message to the North Korean regime that we will remain vigilant,” he added (Yonhap News Agency, Dec. 12). A Russian official called on North Korea to provide the International Atomic Energy Agency with appropriate details of the nation’s nuclear program, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The U.N. nuclear watchdog monitored the shutdown of North Korea’s sole operating nuclear reactor.  Pyongyang has since moved to disable the reactor and two other plants at its Yongbyon nuclear complex. “Russia welcomes the disabling of three nuclear sites in North Korea.  We also welcome the progress made at the six-nation negotiations on the nuclear problem of the Korean Peninsula,” said Grigory Berdennikov, Russian envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency. “The IAEA plays an important role in the Korean nuclear settlement,” he added, according to ITAR-Tass (Xinhua News Agency, Dec. 12). Back to top       Indian Leader Resists Critics of U.S. Nuclear Deal Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday dismissed critics of talks to advance a U.S.-Indian nuclear trade deal, saying the current negotiations with international nuclear inspectors had been previously approved by the communist parties which threatened Singh’s government this week (see GSN, Dec. 10). The trade deal requires India to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor the nation’s civilian nuclear activities, but four Indian communist parties have expressed concern that the deal would allow too much foreign influence over Indian affairs.  While not formally part of Singh’s ruling coalition, the four parties do form part of his majority support in parliament. Earlier this year, the parties threatened to withdraw that support if Singh pursued the nuclear deal, but they relented somewhat last month by agreeing to let Indian officials negotiate, but not sign, an IAEA inspections agreement (see GSN, Nov. 13). This week, however, one communist leader urged Singh to wrap up the process this year or face early elections.  Yesterday, Singh rejected that pressure. “The process is under way, we will take a step ahead,” he told reporters.  As for the elections threat, “We will cross the bridge when we are there,” he said (Reuters, Dec. 11). Meanwhile, U.S. officials have continued their efforts to promote the trade deal, which would enable India to purchase U.S. nuclear materials and technology. “We certainly have been involved,” White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Monday.  “Undersecretary [of State Nicholas] Burns has certainly been trying to push India to try to reconcile their differences so that we can move forward” (Press Trust of India, Dec. 10). Back to top       U.S., Russia Working to Replace START The United States and Russia are moving to replace the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty now set to expire in December 2009, a Russian nuclear expert said yesterday (see GSN, Sept. 4). “Russia initiated the process, and serious work has been ongoing to develop new approaches in this sphere, so far on the level of experts," said Sergei Khudoklinov,” head of Russia’s National Center for Nuclear Threat Reduction. The sides must still address several disputes over the agreement, Khudoklinov said, but “there is still time, and with political will, many problems could be resolved.” The treaty restricts the arsenals of the former Cold War rivals to deploying no more than 6,000 nuclear warheads and a maximum of 1,600 delivery vehicles each (RIA Novosti, Dec. 12). Back to top       South Korea Joins Global Nuclear Power Effort South Korea has joined a U.S.-led initiative to promote the expansion of nuclear power technology, World Nuclear News reported yesterday (see GSN, Nov. 30). The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership aims to build nuclear power capacity while developing technology to slow nuclear weapon proliferation, according to U.S. officials. “By joining GNEP, South Korea can maximize its interest in critical decision making processes related to atomic energy issues, and can use its membership to bolster exports to countries interested in nuclear power generation,” said atomic energy official Kim Young-sik.  Science and Industry Ministry officials formally joined the partnership Monday by signing a statement of principles first established by other participants in September (see GSN, Sept. 17). Nineteen countries have now joined the effort, leaving India and the United Kingdom as the only major nuclear nations outside the partnership, World Nuclear News reported (World Nuclear News, Dec. 11). U.S. officials praised Seoul’s decision. “The Republic of Korea is a leader in civil nuclear energy, and its diverse nuclear power capabilities and a strong research and development program will enable Korea to contribute a great deal to GNEP,” said Assistant Energy Secretary Dennis Spurgeon in a press release. “GNEP represents nations at every stage of nuclear power development and its broad array of partners will help ensure a viable and durable framework to safely increase the use of clean and affordable nuclear power (U.S. Energy Department release, Dec. 11). Back to top

Nonaligned Nations Seek Stronger Bioweapons Treaty The Nonaligned Movement nations yesterday presented several recommendations intended to augment the Biological Weapons Convention, Prensa Latina reported (see GSN, Aug. 17). Representatives from states parties are gathered this week in Geneva for ab annual session on the treaty banning the development, production, stockpiling or use of weaponized biological toxins. Unlike treaties addressing chemical and nuclear weapons, the Biological Weapons Convention has no verification regime to ensure that member nations comply with its regulations. Cuban Ambassador Juan Antonio Fernandez, speaking on behalf of the coalition of nations, urged consideration of a verification system. Fernandez also addressed seven issues the movement believes should be considered at BWC meetings through 2010.  These include national implementation of treaty requirements, strict export and import controls and monitoring viruses that are spread intentionally or through an accident, he said.  The next review conference on the pact is scheduled for 2011. “We strongly think that adhesion to a solid convention will make a significant contribution to achievements in the field of weapon control, nonproliferation and universal disarmament in an atmosphere of transparent negotiations,” Fernandez said (Prensa Latina/NAM News Network, Dec. 11). Back to top

Indian Long-Range Missile Test Slated for Next Year India could conduct its first flight test of a long-range, nuclear-capable missile as soon as early next year as part of an effort to give the nation the ability to threaten targets up to 6,000 kilometers away, Agence France-Presse reported today (see GSN, July 9). The Agni 4 ballistic missile is set to face its first test “within the first quarter of next year, and another within nine to 12 months,” said M. Natarajan, head of India’s Defense Research and Development Organization. Addressing the missile’s potential range, Natarajan said, “Although I won't say the exact figure, I would reckon the figure of 5,000 to 6,000 kilometers should be quite adequate for the country's needs.” India currently deploys two shorter-range missiles, including the Agni 1, with a 700-kilometer range (see GSN, Oct. 25), and the Agni 2, which can fly 2,500 kilometers.  A 4,000-kilometer-range Agni 3 system is also under development, AFP reported (see GSN, April 12; Pratap Chakravarty, Agence France-Presse/Yahoo!News, Dec. 12). Back to top

Russia Suspends Participation in Weapons Treaty Russia formally halted compliance today with the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty, but officials said Moscow remains open to reconsidering its move, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Nov. 16). While Russia has not hinted at any imminent redeployment of its military forces, it has stopped providing mandatory treaty disclosures and would block inspectors from reviewing the nation’s compliance with the pact, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Russia “is prepared for continuing a results-oriented dialogue on the CFE during its suspension," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.  “We hope that such dialogue will bring about the desired results if the other signatories to the treaty display political realism and look for mutually acceptable solutions.” The treaty limits deployment of tanks, attack helicopters, combat aircraft and other heavy military equipment in Europe.  Participating nations signed the original version of the treaty in 1990 and Russia ratified updates to the agreement in 2004.  The United States and other NATO powers have said they would not agree to the updated treaty until Russia complied with commitments to remove its forces from Georgia and the rebel province of Trans-Dniester in Moldova (Associated Press/Google News, Dec. 12). Back to top       Lawmakers Prepare Restrictions for Bush Administration European Missile Defense Plan The fiscal 2008 U.S. defense authorization bill set to be passed by Congress is likely to include restrictions on Bush administration efforts to deploy missile defense elements in Europe, the Aerospace Daily & Defense Report reported Monday (see GSN, Dec. 7). The legislation would support spending $225 million on development of a radar base in the Czech Republic and a missile interceptor site in Poland.  That would be an $85 million cut from the administration request mirrored by the defense appropriations bill that sets actual Defense Department funding levels. Under the authorization bill, the money would not become available until the Czech and Polish governments approved deals to house the installations.  The legislation also sets a 45-day waiting period for funding that would begin following submission to Congress on an independent review of the Europe plan and potential alternatives, according to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and panel staffers. Before funding is released for the 10 planned missile interceptors, the weapons must be proven “through successful, operationally realistic flight testing [to possess] a high-probability of working in an effective manner,” according to the legislation (Michael Bruno, Aerospace Daily & Defense Report/Aviation Week, Dec. 10). The Czech government is likely to observe Poland’s stand on the U.S. proposal before making its own decision, an official in Prague said yesterday. The Polish government under new Prime Minister Donald Tusk has appeared more reserved about the plan than its predecessor.  Tusk and Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek agree on the value of coordinating their efforts as negotiations continue, the Xinhua News Agency reported. “If we hypothetically progressed markedly far ahead of the Poles, there would be a certain time space around the project’s ratification procedure,” Veronika Kuchynova-Smigolova, Czech Foreign Ministry security policy chief, told the Hospodarske Noviny daily. “We intensively communicate with the Polish government,” she added.  “They do not want to resume the talks unprepared” (Xinhua News Agency, Dec. 12). The third round of Czech-U.S. negotiations on the radar base began yesterday, the Associated Press reported.  A meeting of higher-level diplomats is expected to begin Friday following the two-day session (Associated Press/Pravda, Dec. 11). Back to top       Taiwanese Opposition to OK Patriot Purchase The leading Taiwanese opposition party intends to end its two-year rejection of funding for four U.S.-made Patriot Advanced Capability 3 air-defense systems, the Associated Press reported (see GSN, Nov. 14). The Nationalist party could endorse future upgrades as well, according to caucus whip Tseng Yung-chuan. “The budget for another two units will be approved after the first four units are installed,” he said, noting that lawmakers were scheduled to vote on the budget for the first four units next week. Nationalist lawmakers had previously contended that the missile defenses would provoke a financially draining arms race with neighboring China.  Tseng did not explain the change in the party’s stance on the system. The Patriot missile defenses were just one component of $16 billion in proposed weapons purchases that Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has sought from the United States in response to an arms buildup by China, which considers Taiwan to be part of its territory (Associated Press/International Herald Tribune, Dec. 12). Back to top

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