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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Fri May 20, 2005 4:07 pm Iran Said to Be Smuggling Nuclear Matter |
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By GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press Writer 34 minutes ago
VIENNA, Austria -
Iran is circumventing international export bans on sensitive dual-use materials by smuggling graphite and a graphite compound that can be used to make conventional and nuclear weapons, an Iranian dissident and a senior diplomat said Friday.
Graphite has many peaceful uses, including steel manufacture, but also can be used as a casing for molten weapons-grade uranium to fit it to nuclear warheads or to shield the cones of conventional missiles from heat.
With most countries adhering to international agreements banning the sale of such "dual-use" materials to Tehran, Iran has been forced to buy it on the black market, Iranian exile Alireza Jafarzadeh told The Associated Press � allegations confirmed by a senior diplomat familiar with Iran's covert nuclear activities.
Phone calls to Iranian diplomats seeking comment were not answered.
While with the National Coalition of Resistance of Iran, Jafarzadeh disclosed information about two hidden nuclear sites in Iran in 2002 that helped uncover nearly two decades of covert Iranian atomic activity � and sparked present fears Tehran wants to build the bomb.
Much of the equipment � including centrifuges for uranium enrichment and other technology with possible weapons applications � was acquired on the nuclear black market.
Those implicated include Dutch businessman Henk Slebos, who is awaiting trial in the Netherlands on charges of importing banned material � including 100 pieces of graphite � as part of disgraced Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan's clandestine smuggling network.
Jafarzadeh, whose organization was banned in the United States for alleged terrorist activity and who now runs the Washington-based Strategic Policy Consulting think tank, said Iran was additionally smuggling and trying to manufacture a graphite-based substance called ceramic matrix composite. The highly heat resistance compound is also used in missile technology.
He said he learned this from sources of information within Iran.
The diplomat, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of his position, said Iran also may be interested in acquiring specially heat-resistant "nuclear-grade graphite" that can be used as moderators to slow down the fission process in reactors generating energy.
While Iran does not now have reactors using such moderators, it insists it has the future right to all aspects of peaceful nuclear technology.
Neither Jafarzadeh nor the diplomat could say how much graphite Iran had imported and over what period of time.
But the diplomat said a graphite-moderated nuclear plant would require a "huge amount" of graphite � as many as 1,000 tons for a 250-megawatt reactor.
Crucibles to hold molten uranium metal would need much less graphite � no more than about 2.2 pounds per nuclear weapon, the diplomat said. He said investigations by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency revealed laboratory experiments by Iran aimed at making nuclear-grade graphite, which later were abandoned.
Domestically manufactured Iranian conventional missiles would require dozens of pounds of graphite per missile cone, he said.
Jafarzadeh also said a plant now being built near the central town of Ardekan for what Iranian officials say is steel manufacturing will actually be a cover for mastering graphite technology.
The revelations came as Iran's top nuclear negotiators prepared to meet early next week with the foreign ministers of France, Britain and Germany, acting on behalf of the 25-nation
European Union, for what could be a last-ditch attempt to convince Tehran to agree to a long-term freeze of uranium enrichment activities.
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said Friday the talks were "very fragile." He said the talks range over issues including economic, technical and commercial cooperation, Iran's wish to join the
World Trade Organization, and political dialogue.
The United States wants U.N. Security Council action against Iran for what it says are nuclear weapons ambitions, and the Europeans have threatened to support such U.S. calls if it resumes enrichment programs. Iran says those programs are needed to generate power, but Washington labels them as part of plans to make weapons-grade material. |
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Fri May 20, 2005 5:32 pm |
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I am even more concerned, and I WISH the Un would do something, but they won't
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Fri May 20, 2005 5:53 pm |
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I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!!
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Fri May 20, 2005 5:59 pm |
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zero wrote: | I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!! |
Did I ever say that we should invade North Korea? I don't believe so. Did I ever say that Iran wasn't a threat? NO. Quite the contrary. I've said that they were/are a BIG threat, and I've never backed down from it. Iran and North Korea are BOTH grave threats, and I believe equal as well.
So please, get your facts straight before saying things like that
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Dirt Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 2086 Location: a tree
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Fri May 20, 2005 6:17 pm |
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It's most likely just another lie, just like there were WMDs in Iraq.
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webtaz99 Commodore
Joined: 13 Nov 2003 Posts: 1229 Location: The Other Side
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Fri May 20, 2005 8:27 pm |
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Dirt wrote: | It's most likely just another lie, just like there were WMDs in Iraq. |
I sure hope you're kidding, because THERE WERE WMDs IN IRAQ. ASK THE KURDS.
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"History is made at night! Character is who you are in the dark." (Lord John Whorfin)
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Founder Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 12755 Location: Gamma Quadrant
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Fri May 20, 2005 8:49 pm |
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zero wrote: | I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!! |
Uh....NK is a threat. I believe George Bush said the new Axis of evil was Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. So please stop talking about things you don't understand.
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Dirt Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 2086 Location: a tree
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Sat May 21, 2005 6:45 am |
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webtaz99 wrote: | Dirt wrote: | It's most likely just another lie, just like there were WMDs in Iraq. |
I sure hope you're kidding, because THERE WERE WMDs IN IRAQ. ASK THE KURDS. |
Well, after that.
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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Mon May 23, 2005 1:31 pm |
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Founder wrote: | zero wrote: | I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!! |
Uh....NK is a threat. I believe George Bush said the new Axis of evil was Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. So please stop talking about things you don't understand. |
what do you mean things I don't understand? I understand perfectly. I never said NK was not a threat.
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Mon May 23, 2005 6:02 pm |
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zero wrote: | Founder wrote: | zero wrote: | I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!! |
Uh....NK is a threat. I believe George Bush said the new Axis of evil was Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. So please stop talking about things you don't understand. |
what do you mean things I don't understand? I understand perfectly. I never said NK was not a threat. |
As we never said that Iran was a threat However, the tone of voice and all that when you said, "I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!!" made you seem as though you didn't find NK to be a threat.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Dirt Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003 Posts: 2086 Location: a tree
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Tue May 24, 2005 2:46 am |
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NK only has a big mouth, no weapons,
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Theresa Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001 Posts: 27256 Location: United States of America
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Tue May 24, 2005 10:32 am |
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Dirt wrote: | NK only has a big mouth, no weapons, |
Poor Dirkie, not letting your brain do your talking today?!
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Tue May 24, 2005 1:21 pm |
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Republican_Man wrote: | zero wrote: | Founder wrote: | zero wrote: | I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!! |
Uh....NK is a threat. I believe George Bush said the new Axis of evil was Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. So please stop talking about things you don't understand. |
what do you mean things I don't understand? I understand perfectly. I never said NK was not a threat. |
As we never said that Iran was a threat However, the tone of voice and all that when you said, "I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!!" made you seem as though you didn't find NK to be a threat. |
lol, tone? As i'm sure you know.. it is very difficult trying to understand what someone is saying on the internet. Because you can not (key word) "hear" them. So, don't say... my tone.
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Tue May 24, 2005 5:28 pm |
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zero wrote: | Republican_Man wrote: | zero wrote: | Founder wrote: | zero wrote: | I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!! |
Uh....NK is a threat. I believe George Bush said the new Axis of evil was Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. So please stop talking about things you don't understand. |
what do you mean things I don't understand? I understand perfectly. I never said NK was not a threat. |
As we never said that Iran was a threat However, the tone of voice and all that when you said, "I told you we have to watch out for Iran... But still you wanted to go invade N korea!!!" made you seem as though you didn't find NK to be a threat. |
lol, tone? As i'm sure you know.. it is very difficult trying to understand what someone is saying on the internet. Because you can not (key word) "hear" them. So, don't say... my tone. |
Ever read a novel, hmmm?
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Tue May 24, 2005 5:36 pm |
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lol... what does that have to do with ANYTHING?
You said my TONE OF VOICE....
How do you know how meant to say it. You always take things to heart, and think everyone is attacking you... when in reality, we aren't.
cheer up
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Tue May 24, 2005 5:38 pm |
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zero wrote: | lol... what does that have to do with ANYTHING?
You said my TONE OF VOICE....
How do you know how meant to say it. You always take things to heart, and think everyone is attacking you... when in reality, we aren't.
cheer up |
Ever hear of an "author's tone of voice?" Guess they never taught you that in school. But what do you EXPECT us to think, hmmm, when you're acting like NK wasn't a threat? Now you say you do, but before, it seemed not.
And am I responding to someone attacking me? Yes, in this case, because that is exactly what you were doing. But I digress.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Tue May 24, 2005 5:45 pm |
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Ok RM. Whatever you say. I was attacking you!!
I feel sorry for your future wife.
I know NK is a threat. But I don't think we should invade them like you said to... we will start WWIII, and these people are WAY more advanced than Iraq. But hey... lets all get bush happy and go invade countreis left and right... Because, well... we can!!! yay!
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Founder Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 12755 Location: Gamma Quadrant
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Tue May 24, 2005 5:46 pm |
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zero wrote: | Ok RM. Whatever you say. I was attacking you!!
I feel sorry for your future wife.
I know NK is a threat. But I don't think we should invade them like you said to... we will start WWIII, and these people are WAY more advanced than Iraq. But hey... lets all get bush happy and go invade countreis left and right... Because, well... we can!!! yay! |
So what is your solution to NK?
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Tue May 24, 2005 5:49 pm |
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zero wrote: | Ok RM. Whatever you say. I was attacking you!!
I feel sorry for your future wife.
I know NK is a threat. But I don't think we should invade them like you said to... we will start WWIII, and these people are WAY more advanced than Iraq. But hey... lets all get bush happy and go invade countreis left and right... Because, well... we can!!! yay! |
Find where I said that we should invade them
And you are, once again, spinning the war because of your pitiful liberal agenda
-------signature-------
"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Tue May 24, 2005 5:51 pm |
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Founder wrote: | zero wrote: | Ok RM. Whatever you say. I was attacking you!!
I feel sorry for your future wife.
I know NK is a threat. But I don't think we should invade them like you said to... we will start WWIII, and these people are WAY more advanced than Iraq. But hey... lets all get bush happy and go invade countreis left and right... Because, well... we can!!! yay! |
So what is your solution to NK? |
Honestly, I have no idea what they should do. If I did know, I'm sure I would be a pretty powerful person in America.
All I know is it is a bad idea to go invade N.Korea. Very bad.
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Founder Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 12755 Location: Gamma Quadrant
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Tue May 24, 2005 5:55 pm |
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zero wrote: | Founder wrote: | zero wrote: | Ok RM. Whatever you say. I was attacking you!!
I feel sorry for your future wife.
I know NK is a threat. But I don't think we should invade them like you said to... we will start WWIII, and these people are WAY more advanced than Iraq. But hey... lets all get bush happy and go invade countreis left and right... Because, well... we can!!! yay! |
So what is your solution to NK? |
Honestly, I have no idea what they should do. If I did know, I'm sure I would be a pretty powerful person in America.
All I know is it is a bad idea to go invade N.Korea. Very bad. |
Well then if you have no solutions, then how can you criticize the one solution that we have. Diplomatic talks have failed with this man. I agree we should be cautious with NK and not rush to invade. But I seriously doubt "talking" to him will change anything.
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Republican_Man STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004 Posts: 14823 Location: Classified
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Tue May 24, 2005 6:03 pm |
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Founder wrote: | zero wrote: | Founder wrote: | zero wrote: | Ok RM. Whatever you say. I was attacking you!!
I feel sorry for your future wife.
I know NK is a threat. But I don't think we should invade them like you said to... we will start WWIII, and these people are WAY more advanced than Iraq. But hey... lets all get bush happy and go invade countreis left and right... Because, well... we can!!! yay! |
So what is your solution to NK? |
Honestly, I have no idea what they should do. If I did know, I'm sure I would be a pretty powerful person in America.
All I know is it is a bad idea to go invade N.Korea. Very bad. |
Well then if you have no solutions, then how can you criticize the one solution that we have. Diplomatic talks have failed with this man. I agree we should be cautious with NK and not rush to invade. But I seriously doubt "talking" to him will change anything. |
Exactly. That's what I don't get. For instance, Democratic congressmen complain about issues such as social security--the solutions that have been provided. And yet what solution do THEY have? Nothing. They're the party of no ideas and no solutions. Just attack what solutions we do have.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Wed May 25, 2005 1:15 pm |
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Founder and RM, what are your solutions?
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Founder Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 12755 Location: Gamma Quadrant
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Wed May 25, 2005 1:21 pm |
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zero wrote: | Founder and RM, what are your solutions? |
Proceed with caution is all we can do right now. We definitly can not afford another war. We need everything we have just to hold Iraq down and protecting America itself. A war on two fronts would be hard to fight. All we can do is watch NK. Talking to them is a waste of time. I think right now, things are contained. When things get too dangerous then we must do something to put them down, because we shouldn't wait until they attack us first.
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zero Rear Admiral
Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 4566 Location: Texas
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Wed May 25, 2005 1:43 pm |
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So... why are you giving me hell for what I think we should do whenever it is pretty close to the same thing??
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