Olmert warns Iran over nuclear plant

[codedvirus]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iCpL1iCM2OCmOC-4dvsx5nrBog2A

Olmert warns Iran over nuclear plant
1 hour ago

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel's outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert shot a thinly-veiled warning at Iran on Thursday after its arch-enemy announced the completion of its first nuclear power plant.

"We are a strong country, a very strong country, and we have at our disposal (military) capacities the intensity of which are difficult to imagine," Olmert told public radio.

"We have deployed enormous efforts to reinforce our deterrence capacity," he said. "Israel will be able to defend itself in all situations, against all threats, against all enemies. I cannot say more but believe me, I know what I'm talking about."

Although the remarks did not mention Iran by name they were clearly aimed at the Islamic republic which Israel considers its enemy number one.

Iran began testing its first nuclear power plant Wednesday in the face of deep international concern over its atomic drive and said the long-delayed project could go on line within months.

Officials from Iran and Russia, which has been involving in building the power station for the past 14 years, watched over the start of the pre-commissioning in the Gulf port of Bushehr.

"As for a timetable, the tests should take between four and six, seven months," the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation Gholam Reza Aghazdeh said at a press conference in Bushehr.

"And if they go smoothly, then it (the launch of Bushehr) will be even sooner."

He also said Iran is now operating 6,000 centrifuges to enrich uranium, defying international calls that it halt the sensitive nuclear process which is at the heart of Western fears it is secretly trying to build the atomic bomb.

"We have 6,000 centrifuges working and we plan to increase them. In the next five years we plan to have 50,000 centrifuges," Aghazdeh told reporters.

Iran has rejected repeated calls by the UN Security Council -- of which Russia is a permanent member -- for a halt to enrichment, despite three sets of sanctions being imposed for its defiance.

The UN nuclear watchdog had said in a report last week that Iran was slowing the expansion of its enrichment activities, with 3,964 centrifuges actively operating in Natanz.

The visiting head of the Russian nuclear agency, Sergei Kiriyenko, announced that construction of the 1,000-megawatt Bushehr plant had been completed but that Russia would remain involved for one year after it goes on stream.

"We have reached a deal to establish a joint venture to operate the plant," he said, adding that the two sides were also in talks to sign a 10-year contract for the delivery of nuclear fuel by Russia.

Despite being the world's number four crude producer and having the second largest gas reserves, Iran insists it needs nuclear power to sustain a growing population whose fossil fuels will run out in the coming decades.

The plant's start-up will be a leap forward in Iran's efforts to develop nuclear technology but is likely to further unnerve Western powers, rattled by the launch this month of an Iranian satellite on a home-built rocket.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak called for tougher sanctions against Iran.

"Although the plant is not a central part of Iran's military nuclear operations, the announcement of completion of work shows the importance of the concrete steps that the free world, led by the United States, should take as time is pressing," Barak said.

As part of the pre-launch process, Iran was carrying out comprehensive tests of equipment at the plant which Kiriyenko said involved loading dummy fuel rods into the reactor.

"Most of the systems have had more than 97 percent of the equipment installed," Kiriyenko said, adding that some parts that required further testing included heat insulators.

Bushehr was first launched by the US-backed shah in the 1970s using German contractors but was shelved after the Islamic revolution until Russia became involved in 1995.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which has been investigating Iran's nuclear programme for six years, said last week it had been informed by Tehran that the loading of fuel into the reactor was scheduled to take place during the second quarter of 2009.

The 87 tons of fuel supplied by Moscow is currently under IAEA seal.

The IAEA said in a report issued last Thursday that Tehran is continuing to enrich uranium, but has slowed down the expansion of its enrichment activities.

In all, IAEA inspectors had been able to verify that Iran has accumulated 839 kilogrammes (1,846 pounds) of low-enriched uranium, while Iran had told the agency that it had added another 171 kilogrammes this month.

Estimates vary, but analysts calculate that anywhere between 1,000-1,700 kilogrammes would be needed to convert into high-enriched uranium suitable for one bomb.

[maven]

But does Olmert realize that it is not enough to just bomb Bushier? Does he understand that to defend Israel from the blowback Israel will have to take out almost Iran's entire navy, "air force" and a number of missile sites?
This is going to have to be total air war or no war at all. He has already screwed up two wars by not finishing the job.

And Obama aint no George W. Bush. Is Olmert confident that the US will come to our aid with real military action?

[bararallu]

The proper way to approach this issue is to actively and aggressively try to destabilize the Iranian regime. That takes an active role in the self determination movements of the Iranian Kurdish community, and if possible other independence movements. Arming and training Iranian Kurds will create a parity scenario that will pay dividends well past any sort of bombings of dual use reactors. Ditto on the Syrian front.

[maven]

The proper way to approach this issue is to actively and aggressively try to destabilize the Iranian regime. That takes an active role in the self determination movements of the Iranian Kurdish community, and if possible other independence movements. Arming and training Iranian Kurds will create a parity scenario that will pay dividends well past any sort of bombings of dual use reactors. Ditto on the Syrian front.We did look at this at the beginning of the Bush administration but the problem is that despite the usual blinkered perceptions in the US, the Iranian regime has massive support, with whatever reservations, from the majority of the population within Iran.

An attack on Iran will end up with Hiz'bollah attacking Israel while Iranian basejis pour across the border through Lebanon ignoring the piggy squeals from that arrogant, pompous fool Fuad Siniora. Missiles will rain down on Israel from both Lebanon and Iran.

AND practically the whole world will take Iran's side.

The CIA have spent millions of dollars trying to do what you are suggesting with little effect and have only added to Iran's claim that the US is supporting terrorism. It is all out war with both Iran and Lebanon or nothing sadly.

If Operation Cast Lead was left unfinished, our response to Hiz'bollah was unfinished, what hope have we got that this far more complex enterprise will not be a mess as well? Plus if we attack Iran no Jew is the world will be safe from Iranain agents and their supporters among the Islamists and the left.

We can oly do this with guaranteed support from the US.

[Madeline]

"We are a strong country, a very strong country, and we have at our disposal (military) capacities the intensity of which are difficult to imagine," Olmert told public radio.

"We have deployed enormous efforts to reinforce our deterrence capacity," he said. "Israel will be able to defend itself in all situations, against all threats, against all enemies. I cannot say more but believe me, I know what I'm talking about."


"Hamas missile upsurge erodes Israeli deterrence, dashes ceasefire hopes

http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5937

Ten Palestinian missiles struck Israel from the Gaza Strip Saturday, Feb. 28, including two heavyweight Grads aimed at Ashkelon. The number since Israel halted Operation Cast Lead Jan. 18 has risen to seventy.




Silly question. Why is Israel not capable to defend itself against the Hamas rockets? Do defense shields not work in shorter range? Please explain.

[maven]

"Silly question. Why is Israel not capable to defend itself against the Hamas rockets? Do defense shields not work in shorter range? Please explain.A very excellent question actually. The cost of each Patriot missile is many thousands of dollars. They are not capable of hitting low-flying small missiles. Unfortunatly science is not so far sufficiently advanced in laser beam tech or magnetic fields to put up any sort of invisable screen.

[Madeline]

A very excellent question actually. The cost of each Patriot missile is many thousands of dollars. They are not capable of hitting low-flying small missiles. Unfortunatly science is not so far sufficiently advanced in laser beam tech or magnetic fields to put up any sort of invisable screen.

So then, Iran could attach nuclear whatchamacallits onto low-flying small missiles via Gaza, meaning that Mr. Olmert is making false promises?
I apologize, I do not speak weapon lingo.

[maven]

So then, Iran could attach nuclear whatchamacallits onto low-flying small missiles via Gaza, meaning that Mr. Olmert is making false promises?
I apologize, I do not speak weapon lingo.They would'nt dare, they know that Israel would respond with nuclear weapons on Iran. Ollie needs to go and take a vacation in Florida and forget to return.

[Steven]

The time for talk is over. Israel has to go for the hat trick and take out these sites.

Mullen: Iran has fissile materials for bomb


WASHINGTON – The top U.S. military official said Sunday that Iran has sufficient fissile material for a nuclear weapon, declaring it would be a "very, very bad outcome" should Tehran move forward with a bomb.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered the assessment when questioned in a broadcast interview about a recent report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog on the state of Iran's uranium enrichment program, which can create nuclear fuel and may be sufficiently advanced to produce the core of warheads.

Mullen was asked if Iran now had enough fissile material to make a bomb. He responded, "We think they do, quite frankly. And Iran having a nuclear weapon I've believed for a long time is a very, very bad outcome for the region and for the world."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090301/ap_on_re_us/mullen_iran

[bararallu]

We did look at this at the beginning of the Bush administration but the problem is that despite the usual blinkered perceptions in the US, the Iranian regime has massive support, with whatever reservations, from the majority of the population within Iran.

There are 2-3 ethnic populations that are given to insurrection. Mainly the Kurds which are engaged currently. Using Iraqi Kurdistan as a springboard is an excellent opportunity.

An attack on Iran will end up with Hiz'bollah attacking Israel while Iranian basejis pour across the border through Lebanon ignoring the piggy squeals from that arrogant, pompous fool Fuad Siniora. Missiles will rain down on Israel from both Lebanon and Iran.

That will happen in any event I believe, but we will be on the offensive at that point, a huge difference from current affairs.


AND practically the whole world will take Iran's side.

I'd argue there will be nill mention, since we will not technically be involved.

The CIA have spent millions of dollars trying to do what you are suggesting with little effect and have only added to Iran's claim that the US is supporting terrorism. It is all out war with both Iran and Lebanon or nothing sadly.

I beg to differ. Until rather recently, the CIA was not in a position to train and arm Iranian Kurds just across the border in Iraq. Even with opportunity, they still haven't done so. For the longest time CIA was all about computers. I've read that they've had virtually no assets of worth in Iraq before Saddam invaded Kuwait. I have doubts that they can muster a much of game on the Arab and Iranian street even now. In Afghanistan, the Brits probably have a better handle on the intelligence. The key about Kurdistan of course is getting the Turks on board, which will be tough, but not impossible I think.

If Operation Cast Lead was left unfinished, our response to Hiz'bollah was unfinished, what hope have we got that this far more complex enterprise will not be a mess as well?


It's a simpler enterprise IMO. We're doing it with the Sudanese rebels and with the Ethiopians right now. It's not generally public knowledge but it's done nonetheless at different levels of involvement. This will be more directed against Iranian territorial integrity.


Plus if we attack Iran no Jew is the world will be safe from Iranain agents and their supporters among the Islamists and the left.

They've already attacked targets other than Israel, in Argentina etc. there is no reason to think that they wont attack again, at their leisure. Putting them on the defensive is the only way to move forward. This is the way Israel used to function- we were on the offensive and that is the only way to survive. I'm not interested in any sort of occupation or misbegotten nation building here, no just meeting strictly strategic milestones. I think a lot of Arabs will give us a lot of slack to pursue this policy. Go to Memri lookup Iran and see how much Sunni agitation there is against it now, and vice versa.

The optimal strategy of course is to destabilize Syria first, to the point of multiple insurrections, which is potentially easier. Syria is the lynchpin of Iranian strategy in the ME, against Iraq, the Sauds, the Egyptians, Jordanians, the Lebanese, and of course against Israel. Everyone hates them. They have a heavy Kurdish presence that have revolted in the past. They have many Druze, and they have a majority of Sunni Arabs that would love to take the reigns of power from the Alawi kleptos. Egypt and Jordan and the Sauds can be brought aboard if a Sunni regime is installed. Dangerous, sure... but inaction is even more. We're presently sitting ducks.


We can oly do this with guaranteed support from the US.

The US will be out of the ME shortly.

[maven]

The optimal strategy of course is to destabilize Syria first, to the point of multiple insurrections, which is potentially easier. Syria is the lynchpin of Iranian strategy in the ME, against Iraq, the Sauds, the Egyptians, Jordanians, the Lebanese, and of course against Israel. Everyone hates them. They have a heavy Kurdish presence that have revolted in the past. They have many Druze, and they have a majority of Sunni Arabs that would love to take the reigns of power from the Alawi kleptos. Egypt and Jordan and the Sauds can be brought aboard if a Sunni regime is installed. Dangerous, sure... but inaction is even more. We're presently sitting ducks.


The US will be out of the ME shortly.I hope you are right and I am wrong. The very thought of destabalising Syria makes my mouth water. The only problem in Syria though is that from all I have been hearing Assad is truly popular with the vast majority of ordinary people of all factions, as the Mullahs are in Iran.

Problem with the Druze and the Kurds is that they are just factions at the end of the day and why would they swop peace and security and a higher degree of economic prosperity just to exchange the optician for a Sunni leader?

What I want to see is Netanyahu going into Gaza, doing what Olmert, Barak and Livni failed to do and getting into the bunker under the Rafah hospital and destroying the entire leadership of Hamas then giving into pleas from the US and the EU to allow Fatah safe passage back in to provide security. Would'nt it be fun to watch Fatah revenging themselves on Hamas? They know where they live!

But that needs to be done before a pallie Unity government is formed and the reconstruction starts. But Netanyahu could'nt organize a binge in brewery by the looks of it so far.

That would be the best start in my opinion. :unsure:

[Mediocrates]

The best thing would be to give Hamas their own country and to let it splash around in the abattoir of their own making. Gaza is a failed state, we may as well acknowledge it and call it that. The 'world' talks a good game when it comes to these failed states but does nothing. A 'free' Gaza would be less likely not more, to receive buckets of aid money with no strings attached.

[bararallu]

I hope you are right and I am wrong. The very thought of destabalising Syria makes my mouth water. The only problem in Syria though is that from all I have been hearing Assad is truly popular with the vast majority of ordinary people of all factions, as the Mullahs are in Iran.

Based on? Polls? It's an autocratic regime, who knows what people think in any number.

Problem with the Druze and the Kurds is that they are just factions at the end of the day and why would they swop peace and security and a higher degree of economic prosperity just to exchange the optician for a Sunni leader?

The Druze are in a particular spot, Walid Jumblatt was threatened by Assad now on a number of occasions, once with the odious- you know there are 20,000 Druze in Syria, or something along that line. The Kurds, well they are determined fighters that as recently as a year or two ago stated street fighting in the north of Syria (and a prison riot to boot), where they are mostly located.

What I want to see is Netanyahu going into Gaza, doing what Olmert, Barak and Livni failed to do and getting into the bunker under the Rafah hospital and destroying the entire leadership of Hamas then giving into pleas from the US and the EU to allow Fatah safe passage back in to provide security. Would'nt it be fun to watch Fatah revenging themselves on Hamas? They know where they live!

That will probably still happened, and guess what- we'll get blamed for another massacre. Remember Sabra and Shatila? How many Israelis participated in that? 0. Who was blamed? Not that it matters anymore. We get blamed for bad weather now days.


But that needs to be done before a pallie Unity government is formed and the reconstruction starts. But Netanyahu could'nt organize a binge in brewery by the looks of it so far.

I think the Americans made that provision a day ago... Hamas must accept the stipulations of the peace process, lol. Thus far they've refused. That at least is an honorable position, however dishonorable their methods are. Fatah are bald face liars and thieves.

[maven]

bararallu, Walid Jumblatt I like, though I did not like him supporting Erdowan's bitching to Shimon Peres about Gaza. However, I wonder if Jumblatt was just finding a way to do what we all would have liked to do which is to express some frustration to Olmert, Barak and Livni for not finishing the job.

If Syria had opposition we would hear from them outside Syria but we don't, US or UK are not exactly flooded with Syrian opposition exiles unfortunatly.

Iran ditto, the Iranians know that no two Iranians can agree on anything without staring down the barrel of a gun and after Iraq they came to value stability and what voices there were have quietened, not just because of repression because we heard those voices very loudly at the beginning of the Bush administration.

Problem with the Kurds is that to destabalise them would cause more problems in Iraq and Turkey.

I have a solution. Israeli cabinet sits down and decides to refuse any co-operation with the US, EU and UN over Gaza unless the PA returns to control there.

Personally I'm up for another 'Massakker' in Gaza if it removes Hamas. :unsure:

[bararallu]

bararallu, Walid Jumblatt I like, though I did not like him supporting Erdowan's bitching to Shimon Peres about Gaza. However, I wonder if Jumblatt was just finding a way to do what we all would have liked to do which is to express some frustration to Olmert, Barak and Livni for not finishing the job.

This kind of thing I think is not only about Jumblatt or the Leb Druze it is a general point of relations between Israelis and Lebanese. It's a complicated relationship, and I think Israel is mostly at fault in not helping bolster friendly forces in both Lebanon and Syria.

If Syria had opposition we would hear from them outside Syria but we don't, US or UK are not exactly flooded with Syrian opposition exiles unfortunately.

No they are often "6 feet under." We do hear about stuff here and there. We hear it from the Druse, we hear it from the Kurds and well we heard it from the Homa revolt where Assad eliminated most (but certainly not all) of the Muslim Brotherhood, the mainstay Sunni opposition. One really should appreciate the demographics and ideological aspects of what is going on in Syria. The Assad family history is quite interesting. They are a minority of a minority, minuscule in terms of population. And they play serious power politics in the ME. A little push and shove and they will be gone IMO.

Iran ditto, the Iranians know that no two Iranians can agree on anything without staring down the barrel of a gun and after Iraq they came to value stability and what voices there were have quietened, not just because of repression because we heard those voices very loudly at the beginning of the Bush administration.

Right. It is a mixed bag of motivations and capabilities. But the Mullahs are in the driving seat, and the Sunni dictators are nervous. Perfect place for us to act.

Problem with the Kurds is that to destabalise them would cause more problems in Iraq and Turkey.

Not Iraq. And as I said a quid pro quo can maybe be arranged with the Turks. Something like: Iraqi Kurdish recognition for Turkish territorial integrity, some repatriation of Kurds-Turkmen, and Turkish support for establishing an independent Kurdistan in Iraq, northern Syria and southern Iran. The Kurds need to understand that they wont get everything they ask for, no one does. If the Turks are on board at some point, it will be pretty facilitating. Big if. i personally think there is a lot of common long term regional synergy between the Turks and Kurds (and Israelis and once the Mullahs go- the Iranians). They are culturally and socially more similar than they are with Arabs IMHO.

I have a solution. Israeli cabinet sits down and decides to refuse any co-operation with the US, EU and UN over Gaza unless the PA returns to control there.

It will only be a stop gap. Optimally a stop gap includes cut off all utilities and services etc from us to them forcing Egypt to intervene with European naval blockade assuring disarmament.

Personally I'm up for another 'Massakker' in Gaza if it removes Hamas. :unsure:

The ME is all about massacres.

[maven]

This kind of thing I think is not only about Jumblatt or the Leb Druze it is a general point of relations between Israelis and Lebanese. It's a complicated relationship, and I think Israel is mostly at fault in not helping bolster friendly forces in both Lebanon and Syria.



No they are often "6 feet under." We do hear about stuff here and there. We hear it from the Druse, we hear it from the Kurds and well we heard it from the Homa revolt where Assad eliminated most (but certainly not all) of the Muslim Brotherhood, the mainstay Sunni opposition. One really should appreciate the demographics and ideological aspects of what is going on in Syria. The Assad family history is quite interesting. They are a minority of a minority, minuscule in terms of population. And they play serious power politics in the ME. A little push and shove and they will be gone IMO.



Right. It is a mixed bag of motivations and capabilities. But the Mullahs are in the driving seat, and the Sunni dictators are nervous. Perfect place for us to act.



Not Iraq. And as I said a quid pro quo can maybe be arranged with the Turks. Something like: Iraqi Kurdish recognition for Turkish territorial integrity, some repatriation of Kurds-Turkmen, and Turkish support for establishing an independent Kurdistan in Iraq, northern Syria and southern Iran. The Kurds need to understand that they wont get everything they ask for, no one does. If the Turks are on board at some point, it will be pretty facilitating. Big if. i personally think there is a lot of common long term regional synergy between the Turks and Kurds (and Israelis and once the Mullahs go- the Iranians). They are culturally and socially more similar than they are with Arabs IMHO.



It will only be a stop gap. Optimally a stop gap includes cut off all utilities and services etc from us to them forcing Egypt to intervene with European naval blockade assuring disarmament.



The ME is all about massacres.I'm up for anything that helps and works but why are we worrying? If we had a leader in Israel like Ariel Sharon we would be on the verge of progress.

Now what do we have? I wish President Peres would insist on the next cabinet looking seriously at electorial reform as an urgent matter. Countries like Israel need strong leadership. First past the post is the best system and proportional representation the worst.

Whatever his faults George W. Bush was a solid rock for Israel. Now he is gone and Sharon is gone it's a dicey ride in a leakig boat on a high sea.

[bararallu]

I wish President Peres would insist on the next cabinet looking seriously at electorial reform as an urgent matter.

:lol: He's the bastard that helped create this endemic monster of unaccountability. The guy was NEVER elected to office, yet he had the PM etc spot on numerous occasions! He's going to try helping Labor, however possible. He is not an impartial advocate my any measure of the imagination. I'm sure his inclination is to dissolve Kadima in the medium term and have it absorbed by Labor in the next election. Even as Labor has less mandates than the former. Our political system is atrocious.

[maven]

Our political system is atrocious.100%:clap:

But I think Israel is incredably lucky to have a man of such outstanding character and stature as Shimon Perez. He is the only thing the world does not hate about Israel at the moment and that is worth any money.

[baggi]

100%:clap:

But I think Israel is incredably lucky to have a man of such outstanding character and stature as Shimon Perez. He is the only thing the world does not hate about Israel at the moment and that is worth any money.

yes but he is not worth anyting for israel..

[Yala]

100%:clap:

But I think Israel is incredably lucky to have a man of such outstanding character and stature as Shimon Perez. He is the only thing the world does not hate about Israel at the moment and that is worth any money.

They like him b/c he is bad for Israel. It's as simple as that really.

I don't really care for Bibi, but the fact that Europeans hate him makes me optimistic.

[Madeline]

They like him b/c he is bad for Israel. It's as simple as that really.

I don't really care for Bibi, but the fact that Europeans hate him makes me optimistic.

The one who is hated (feared) most by your opponents usually gets the job done.

[Toadstool46]

If you want to change something you gotta change something... I think Bibi is the right person to be in the position he is in.

If people would just trust him and back him you would see a big difference in the situation.

They have got to give up this whole two state thing... well the land for peace anyway, put a stop to Iran and the rockets from Gaza.

I think you are about to see some drastic changes. Changes that will work.

What have the stratagise of the last 5 or 6 years done.... nothing.

[Madeline]

If you want to change something you gotta change something... I think Bibi is the right person to be in the position he is in.

If people would just trust him and back him you would see a big difference in the situation.

They have got to give up this whole two state thing... well the land for peace anyway, put a stop to Iran and the rockets from Gaza.

I think you are about to see some drastic changes. Changes that will work.

What have the stratagise of the last 5 or 6 years done.... nothing.

Dear, I like him so much I want his twin to come over here and educate BHO.