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| U.S. failing to slow nuclear programs |
| 2004-08-09 |
| David E. Sanger/NYT KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine American intelligence officials and outside nuclear experts have concluded that the Bush administration's diplomatic efforts with European and Asian allies have barely slowed the nuclear weapons programs in Iran and North Korea over the past year, and that both have made significant progress. In a tacit acknowledgment that the diplomatic initiatives with European and Asian allies have failed to slow the programs, senior administration and intelligence officials say they are seeking ways to step up unspecified covert actions intended, in the words of one official, "to disrupt or delay as long as we can" Iran's efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. But other experts, including former Clinton administration officials, caution that while covert efforts have been tried in the past, both the Iranian and North Korean programs are increasingly self-sufficient, largely thanks to the aid they received from the network built by Abdul Qadeer Khan, the former leader of the Pakistani bomb program. And how is Pakistan's heinous nuclear proliferation a "U.S. failing?" "It's a much harder thing to accomplish today," said one senior American intelligence official, "than it would have been in the '90s." Khan's efforts have also worked against the Bush administration in North Korea. A new assessment of North Korea has come in one of three classified reports commissioned by the Bush administration earlier this year from the American intelligence community. Circulated last month, the report concluded that nearly 20 months of toughened sanctions, including ending a major energy program, and several rounds of negotiations involving four of North Korea's neighbors had not slowed the North's efforts to develop plutonium weapons, and that a separate, parallel program to make weapons from highly enriched uranium was also moving forward, though more slowly. It's hard to get much work done on an empty stomach. The desire to pursue a broader strategy against Iran's nuclear ambitions is driven in part, officials say, by increasingly strong private statements by Israeli officials that they will not tolerate the development of an Iranian nuclear weapon and may be forced to consider military action similar to the attack against a nuclear reactor in Iraq two decades ago if Tehran is judged to be on the verge of making a weapon. And for that, Israel deserves a prize. |
| Posted by:Zenster |
| #10 I am a minority of one. I think our efforts have been successful. Here is why: NK 1. NK can no longer ship weapons by sea, due to the new agreements on interdiction. 2. China has Kim on a leash to the extent that he cannot test his weapons. 3. Kim must now ship his drugs overland through China and pay a toll, which hurts his profits. 4. The US has demonstrated patience and a willingness to budge at the negotiating table without caving in. Iran 1. The US has positioned itself to strike should the EU and UN fail to bring Iran in line. 2. The US has established a relationship with the new Iraqi leadership that respects their sovereignty and doesn't push them into the arms of Syria or Iran. More than likely, Iraq will end up being the negotiator with Iran. The US will stand in the background and loosen up taking swings with a Louisville Slugger during the negotiations. 3. The US has stood fast and not hurriedly tried to established relations an engage with Iran. Any such effort would be a demonstration of weakness. We don't need to commence bilateral negotiations with an outlaw regime just because it is arming itself. We should stand ready to disarm Iran should the "engagers" come up empty. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-08-09 23:18 |
| #9 Summarizing the article: "Using the sort of diplomatic approach favored by the UN, the Euros, the NYT, and candidate Kerry, the US has failed to slow..." |
| Posted by: virginian 2004-08-09 22:08 |
| #8 It's OUR FUCKING FAULT ? I thought the IAEA was taking care of Iran. And Russia says, NKor should have the right to nukes. |
| Posted by: Anonymous6021 2004-08-09 4:36:17 PM |
| #7 Jen, the administration in power is blamed for rising energy prices, regardless of complicity. Given the Kerry-loving lean of the press, you can be sure Bush et al are going to be blamed. This is an issue that is affecting the near-term performance of the economy. I thought that the Saudi's and the Bush's were such great pals. Do you think Moore was wrong on this one too??? |
| Posted by: remote man 2004-08-09 12:47:32 PM |
| #6 Collin Powell will be earning his pay if he can get the Euros to put the bong down and stop trading with Iran. Like in Iraq, had the Euros stood up to saddam his toppling could have been somewhat bloodless. And if they don't stand united regarding Iran's nuclear potential, a doomsday clock will strike midnight. Bummer. Our MSM needs to take a look at this and understand whats at stake. They need to take a look a jihad/islam and think whats at stake. They need to lead the sheep. But I think they'll still quack like a duck. When they get their bomb it's a bad hair day girls. |
| Posted by: Lucky 2004-08-09 12:39:15 PM |
| #5 The question is, would Sanger and the NYT go along? Sure. As long as it involved copious amounts of hand-wringing. |
| Posted by: dreadnought 2004-08-09 11:01:54 AM |
| #4 Uh, scuse me, Mr. Davis, but what does Condi have to do with the price of oil? |
| Posted by: GreatestJeneration 2004-08-09 11:00:52 AM |
| #3 U.S. failing to slow nuclear programs There's a surefire way to slow them down. The question is, would Sanger and the NYT go along? |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2004-08-09 10:59:10 AM |
| #2 If Condi wants to do something about it, she better get started. With the price of oil where it is, she may be spending February on a well earned but extended vacation. |
| Posted by: Mr. Davis 2004-08-09 9:01:02 AM |
| #1 Sanger of the NYT is just a couple of years behind Rantburg in the concern of nuclear proliferation in the AoE. In the Anchorage Daily News, sunday edition, they talked about the same thing as if it was new news. Since I did my homework on Rantburg years ago, I went fishing today and caught silver salmon. The MSM is like sending a radio signal to distant galaxies. They are just getting the signal now. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-08-09 2:25:00 AM |