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IAEA suspects Iran’s N-programme has military dimensions
No talks if sanctioned, says Ahmadinejad
Qureshi: India, Pakistan must resolve Kashmir
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US mum on Headley interrogation
Indian American teacher honoured
Holbrooke cancels Pak visit
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IAEA suspects Iran’s N-programme has military dimensions
International Atomic Energy Agency chief, Yukiya Amano, told the body’s 35-member Board of Governors in Vienna: “Iran has not provided the necessary cooperation to permit the agency to confirm that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities.” “Iran is a special case because, among other things, of the existence of issues related to possible military dimensions to its nuclear programme,” he noted. The UN Security Council was due to meet to discuss a package of new nuclear-related sanctions against Iran. The powerful UN body would consider a draft resolution to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Iran. The voting is expected later this week. Iran insists its case should be treated as a routine matter by the IAEA, as is the case with any other member state. Amano called for implementation of relevant resolutions of the IAEA and Security Council as well as the “clarification of issues related to possible military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear programme.” The draft resolution creates new categories of sanctions and includes: banning Iran’s investment in nuclear activity abroad, banning all ballistic missiles activities, blocking Iran’s use of banks aboard, asset freezes for members of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and setting up a UN panel of experts to enforce sanction implementation. The US needs nine votes in total for the resolution to pass in the Security Council providing none of the permanent members exercise their veto. Both Russia and China, which have previously raised objections against such sanctions, have conveyed that they are, so far, satisfied with the text of the resolution. The US case for sanctions is further strengthened by the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency that found Iran has enough fuel, which if further enriched would be enough to build two nuclear weapons. Another development in May saw Turkey and Brazil organising a fuel swap deal. Iran would ship 1,200 kg of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey to be exchanged for 120 kg of 20 per cent enriched nuclear fuel rods to power the Tehran research reactor, which produces radioisotopes for cancer treatment. The swap was similar to a deal brokered with US, Russia and France - that was originally supposed to happen in October 2009. The big powers are still sceptical about the new deal. The US is pushing for a fourth round of sanctions against Iran. At the meeting, Amano pointed out “differences” in the situation since the first offer was made, including the fact that Iran’s uranium stockpile had double and it was pursuing higher-grade nuclear enrichment. The IAEA chief, however, did not say whether he was for or against the deal. The US and its Western allies along with Israel fear that Iran is trying to build a nuclear bomb. Tehran, denying these allegations, insists that its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes.
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No talks if sanctioned, says Ahmadinejad
“I have said that the US government and its allies are mistaken if they think they can brandish the stick of resolution and then sit down to talk with us, such a thing will not happen,” the Iranian leader told a news conference here. “We will talk to everyone if there is respect and fairness but if someone wants to talk to us rudely and in a domineering manner the response is known already,” he added. His warning came as the UN Security Council was to hold new closed-door consultations today on the new sanctions against the Islamic Republic after its 15 members failed to reach a consensus on a meeting yesterday. The council’s five council permanent members - Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States - are co-sponsoring the sanctions draft and believe they have the votes to secure its passage. — PTI
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Qureshi: India, Pakistan must resolve Kashmir
Istanbul, June 8 Addressing the third Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building in Asia (CICA) here, Qureshi noted that External Affairs Minister SM Krishna would be visiting Pakistan on July 15. “I look forward to have constructive and result-oriented dialogue with him.” “We believe that as the two largest countries in South Asia, Pakistan and India must earnestly endeavour to resolve all outstanding disputes including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir to start a new era of trust, amity and friendship in the region,” Qureshi said. He also told the participants at the summit that the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India held a constructive meeting in Thimphu, Bhutan, in April and they agreed to resume the stalled dialogue process at the Foreign Ministers’ level. Qureshi also spoke on the issue of terrorism as well as the situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan, like other CICA member countries, is deeply concerned on the continued instability in Afghanistan, he said. “Terrorism remains the paramount security threat confronting the world today. As a neighbour of Afghanistan, Pakistan has been in the forefront of the fight against terrorism,” he said. Pakistan has suffered enormous losses both in terms of human lives and material, which include more than 2,500 security personnel and 10,000 civilians. Economic losses exceed $40 billion, he said. He also said the global community should address root causes which are exploited by the terrorists to radicalise the youths. These include economic deprivations, political injustices, foreign occupation and denial of fundamental rights including the “right to self-determination”. —
PTI
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US mum on Headley interrogation
Chicago, June 8 US Attorney's Office spokesperson here Randall Samborn declined to comment on the interrogation, saying only that, “I know the National Security Advisor Gen James Jones has said access to Headley had been given and the matter is in the hands of the relevant professionals from both governments.” An FBI spokesman said the federal agency would "not be commenting at all" on details of the Headley questioning, citing security reasons. He said since the 26/11 case involves Indian jurisdiction, "it would be highly inappropriate for us to make any comment" adding that if the Indian authorities want to comment on the Headley access, they can. Headley's lawyer John Theis was not available for comment. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team, headed by Loknath Behera, last week got access to Headley, who has pleaded guilty to conspiring in the Mumbai attacks. Jones had last week confirmed that, “Yes access to Headley has been given. We have fulfilled our commitment.” However, Jones did not spell out how and when the NIA team was given access. “This is an ongoing process and I don't have any detailed information that will be helpful except to say that it is in the hands of right professionals from both countries,” Jones said. — PTI
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Indian American teacher honoured
Washington, June 8 Radhika Plakkot is among 103 Maths and Science teachers who have been selected for this prestigious award from across the country. Plakkot, who teaches Biology at the Huntingtown High School, Calvert County in Maryland, is the only Indian American in the group of 103 teachers. "Science and technology have long been at the core of America's strength and competitiveness, and the scientists and engineers who have led America on its remarkable path to success share something very precious: Science and Mathematics teachers who brought these critical subjects to life," Obama said. The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to the best pre-college-level Science and Mathematics teachers from across the country. — PTI
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Islamabad, June 8 Holbrooke had planned to visit Islamabad on June 9 for discussions on the just concluded India-US Strategic Dialogue, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to China, the Afghan peace jirga and the Pakistan-US official-level talks beginning on June 11. However, he was informed that President Asif Zardari and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi would not be in Islamabad on that date. Zardari is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meet and Qureshi will travel to Turkey for the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia summit. — PTI
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United Nations, June 8
Iran will reject talks on its nuclear programme if slapped with new sanctions, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said today as the UN Security Council geared up for fresh talks on a fourth sanctions resolution.