Report contradicts Bush on Iran nuclear program

[lonestarnot]

http://www.yahoo.com/s/751091

1 hour, 40 minutes ago
By Matt Spetalnick

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new U.S. intelligence report says Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003 and it remains on hold, contradicting the Bush administration's earlier assertion that Tehran was intent on developing a bomb.

The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) released on Monday could undermine U.S. efforts to convince other world powers to agree on a third package of U.N. sanctions against Iran for defying demands to halt uranium enrichment activities.

Tensions have escalated in recent months as Washington has ratcheted up the rhetoric against Tehran, with U.S. President George W. Bush insisting in October that a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to World War Three.

But in a finding likely to surprise U.S. friends and foes alike, the latest NIE concluded: "We do not know whether (Iran) currently intends to develop nuclear weapons."

That marked a sharp contrast to an intelligence report two years ago that stated Iran was "determined to develop nuclear weapons."

[autorank]

1. There should be a million hits on this. I just formatted the post and for once

I didn't double post. K*R with a vengance. Here's more

CONSORTIUMNEWS.COM

A Miracle: Honest Intel on Iran Nukes

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2007/120307.html

By Ray McGovern
December 3, 2007

For those who have doubts about miracles, a double one occurred today. An honest National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran’s nuclear program has been issued and its Key Judgments were made public.

Snip

This time Cheney and his neo-con colleagues were unable to abort the process. And after delivery to the press, this child is going to be very hard to explain—the more so since it is legitimate.

The main points of the NIE:

• “We judge that in fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program...
• “We assess with moderate confidence Tehran has not restarted its nuclear weapons program as of mid-2007.
• “We do not have sufficient intelligence to judge confidently whether Tehran is willing to maintain the halt of its nuclear weapons program indefinitely...
• “We judge with moderate confidence Iran probably would be technically capable of producing enough highly enriched uranium sometime during the 2010-2015 time frame.
• “We judge with high confidence that Iran will not be technically capable of producing and reprocessing enough plutonium for a weapon before about 2015.”

[lonestarnot]

3. He must be sick which we knew, but really sick for this to get around him.

[lonestarnot]

6. If this isn't another grounds for impeachment, just what the fuck is?

[autorank]

11. It is that!

And they don't have a clue about impeachment, Congress that is. It's their obligation.

The good news is that they Resident is now out of power. This can't happen 2-3-4 years ago, but it's
happening now. He must be trashing the Oval Office;), popping a Lone Star long neck, pounding down twinkies. It's an ugly thought...

[DCKit]

2. And Osama was determined to strike within the U.S., but they didn't do anything then...

Of course, Osama isn't a country sitting of a big, fat oil field.

You gotta pick your fights.

[lonestarnot]

4. Yes one does need to pick his/her fights, and this is one I would be pick'n.

[lonestarnot]

5. kick and Don't forget the Downing Street Memo! DSM

[malaise]

7. And the report is one year old

so Bushco has been lying as usual.

[Swamp Rat]

8. k&r

The report from two years ago has Cheney's rubber stamp all over it.

[Olney Blue]

9. Facts? When did facts ever stop this administration?

[struggle4progress]

10. Translation: There's no evidence Iran ever had a nuclear weapons program, so

we'll say we think they stopped in 2003!

Then all the talking heads will accept it as proven that Iran actually had a nuclear weapons program in 2003!

And we'll be able to argue about: (1) whether our exciting Iraq adventure convinced Iran to end the nuclear weapons program they never had or (if you prefer) (2) whether Iran really ever ended the nuclear weapons program they never had!

It's a win-win! :grr:

[lonestarnot]

12. I'm glad you're not my translator!

;)

[struggle4progress]

13. U.S. Levels Accusations Against Iranian Weapons Programs (June 2003)

Paul Kerr
The United States has been levying charges against Iran similar to those it made against Iraq prior to the March invasion of that country, including harboring the al Qaeda terrorist network and pursuing weapons of mass destruction programs ... Washington has long expressed the belief that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program, but the IAEA has never found any of Iran’s nuclear activities to be in violation of its IAEA safeguards agreement ... http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2003_06/iran_june03.asp

Experts: No firm evidence of Iranian nuclear (Nov 2007)
weaponshttp://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/21067.html

[lonestarnot]

14. Thanks for the links.