[Mb-civic] FW: Intelligence report says Iran seeks nuclear bomb - report

[Golsorkhi]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Samii Shahla <shahla at thesamiis.com>
Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2006 10:41:01 -0500
Subject: Intelligence report says Iran seeks nuclear bomb - report

REUTERS

Intelligence report says Iran seeks nuclear bomb - report

Wed Jan 4, 2006 2:15 AM GMT

LONDON (Reuters) - Iran is secretly trying to obtain technology and
expertise needed to build a nuclear weapon, according to a leaked
intelligence report that threatens to deepen a rift with the West over its
nuclear programme.

Tehran's nuclear purchasing plans stretch from Europe to North Korea and the
former Soviet states, the Guardian said, citing a report by an unnamed
European intelligence agency.

The 55-page report, dated July 1, 2005, draws on material gathered by
British, French, German and Belgian agencies and has been used to brief
European government ministers, the newspaper said.

The leaked report comes as Iran and the West remain locked in a standoff
over Tehran's nuclear programme.

The United States and the European Union fear Iran's civilian nuclear power
programme is a cover for making nuclear weapons. Iran says it needs nuclear
technology to generate electricity.

The leaked intelligence report claims Iran has an advanced programme
designed to acquire nuclear expertise, training and equipment.

It also says Syria, Pakistan and North Korea are part of a global black
market in illicit weapons parts.

The document says Iran has built a web of front companies, middlemen and
academics whose job is to find the information and materials needed for
nuclear, biological and chemical arsenals, according to the Guardian.

"In addition to sensitive goods, Iran continues intensively to seek the
technology and know-how for military applications of all kinds," the
newspaper quoted from the report.

'MISSILE DEVELOPMENT'

According to the Guardian, the document details Tehran's attempts to build a
missile capable of reaching Israel and southern Europe.

Iranian scientists are building wind tunnels, navigation technology and
acquiring calibration devices needed for advanced missiles, the document
says.

It concludes that Syria and Pakistan have also been buying technology and
chemicals needed to develop rocket programmes and to enrich uranium,
according to the Guardian.

The report concludes that scientists in Tehran are shopping for parts for a
new ballistic missile with "import requests and acquisitions ... registered
almost daily", the Guardian said.

The report's aim is to warn European Union companies from doing business
with the front companies, the newspaper said. The report does not name
Western firms or academics believed to have worked with Iran, North Korea,
Syria or Pakistan.

On Tuesday, Iran said it would resume atomic fuel research and development
next week.

That could lead to renewed calls from Washington and the European Union for
the case to be referred to the U.N. Security Council, where Iran could face
political or economic sanctions.

© Reuters 2006. All rights reserved.
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URL: http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2
006-01-04T021533Z_01_DIT407905_RTRUKOC_0_UK-NUCLEAR-IRAN-REPORT.xml


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