U.S. Intelligence Says Iran Has Ended Nuke Program
A new consensus assessment from all sixteen U.S. intelligence agencies has concluded Iran shut down its nuclear weapons program more than four years ago. The National Intelligence Estimate starkly contradicts the Bush administration’s claims Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear bomb. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley announced the findings in Washington.
National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley: “The IC (Intelligence community) has high confidence, high confidence, that Iran had a covert nuclear weapons program that it has never acknowledged and continues to deny. The intelligence community has high confidence that Iran halted its covert nuclear weapons program in the fall of 2003 and they have moderate confidence that it had not restarted that program as of mid-2007."
The assessment goes on to conclude spy agencies do not know whether Iran intends to develop nuclear weapons. It effectively rejects a National Intelligence Estimate two years ago that claimed Iran was pursuing a nuclear bomb through a secret program. The estimate also stands in stark contrast to recent language from President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. In October, Bush warned of a “World War III” if Iran continued with alleged nuclear activities. According to the Washington Post, the Bush administration has maintained its threatening rhetoric despite hearing of the intelligence community’s skepticism as early as July. Despite the findings, Hadley and other administration officials say they remain concerned Iran will attempt to develop a bomb.
Ahmadinejad Calls for Gulf Pact
Hours before the new intelligence report was released, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke at a summit of Gulf Arab states where he proposed a regional security pact.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “We propose the establishment of economic and security pacts and institutions among the seven states here. The pacts should serve the people of our region more than ever before.’’
WFP: Iraqi Refugees in Syria Facing Food ShortageThe World Food Program is warning hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees are at risk of going hungry this winter in Syria. A recent survey found one-third of respondents skip a meal a day to feed their children. Syria is currently host to around 1.5 million Iraqi refugees. A new estimate from the Iraqi Red Crescent says just 25,000 thousand have returned. The Iraqi government recently claimed the number coming back was double that amount. Meanwhile, Iraq’s internally displaced population continues to grow. On Monday, Iraqi Red Crescent workers began resettling more than 100 families displaced following U.S. raids on the southeast town of Adwaniya.
Iraqi Resident: “The Americans have arrested them. They have been arrested as the Americans get information about them from our close neighbours and relatives. They have arrested 32 men from one neighbourhood. What did those children do? My daughter asked me about her friends from our neighbourhood. I’m sick and my children are sick too but we cannot go to the doctor. I do not know what to say!"
There are an estimated 2.4 million internally displaced people inside Iraq.
1 Dead in U.S. Shooting of Iraqi Civilians
Meanwhile, reports continue to emerge of U.S. attacks on Iraqi civilians. Earlier today the Pentagon said U.S. soldiers mistakenly shot five civilians traveling in a car in the town of Tarmiya north of Baghdad. One passenger died while being taken to the hospital. Five Iraqi civilians, including a child, were killed in similar U.S. shootings last week.
Poll: Afghan Support for U.S. Declines
In Afghanistan, a poll shows Afghan approval of U.S. forces has reached a new low. According to ABC News, forty-two percent of Afghans rate U.S. forces positively—down from fifty-seven percent last year and sixty-eight percent in 2005. A record number of civilian casualties from NATO attacks was cited as the primary reason for the declining support.
Israel Releases Nearly 500 Palestinian Prisoners
In Israel and the Occupied Territories, nearly five hundred Palestinians were released Monday from Israeli jails. The imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti called the move “a joke.” Barghouti says most of the prisoners were already nearing the end of their sentences in the coming months. Between eight to ten thousand Palestinians remain imprisoned by Israel.
0 comments:
Post a Comment