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Last update - 09:16 22/07/2009
Israel slams Clinton statement on nuclear Iran
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent, and The Associated Press
Tags: nuclear weapons, Iran, U.S. 

A key minister in the Israeli government criticized U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's statement on Tuesday that Washington would provide "a defense umbrella" for its allies in the Middle East in the event that Iran develops nuclear weapons.

Dan Meridor, Israel's minister for secret services, told Army Radio that the comments imply a willingness to reconcile with the eventuality of a nuclear-armed Iran.

"I heard, unenthusiastically, the Americans' statement that they will defend their allies in the event that Iran arms itself with an atomic bomb, as if they have already reconciled with this possibility, and this is a mistake," Meridor told Army Radio. "Now, we don't need to deal with the assumption that Iran will attain nuclear weapons but to prevent this."
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Clinton said on Tuesday that the U.S. has a plan to prevent Iranian domination in the Middle East if it gets the nuclear bomb.

"We want Iran to calculate what I think is a fair assessment: that if the United States extends a defense umbrella over the region, if we do even more to develop the military capacity of those (allies) in the Gulf, it is unlikely that Iran will be any stronger or safer," Clinton said during a visit to Bangkok.

The U.S. has asked 10 uranium-rich countries to tighten their monitoring of sales of the mineral to Iran, according to a document obtained by Haaretz. The move is based on an American estimate that Iran's uranium reserves will run out by 2010. A senior American delegation will arrive in Israel next week for talks on the dialogue between Iran and Western countries, especially regarding the Iranian nuclear program.

The document was distributed by the U.S. State Department to 10 countries that produce yellowcake, a uranium concentrate used as a raw material for enriching uranium. The United States wants the countries to increase monitoring of the sale of yellowcake to Iran.

According to the document, "As a consequence of its geology, Iran's reported indigenous uranium reserves are insufficient to support its current nuclear reactor program for sustained period of time .... Calculations based on Iran's rate of uranium conversion thus far suggest that Iran will run out of yellowcake in 2010."

The document is defined as a so-called non-paper to be used in contacts with privately owned companies that produce the concentrate. It was sent to Russia, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Britain, Kazakhstan and three others countries.

UN sanctions prohibit the sale of uranium to Iran, but the United States fears that the Islamic Republic might be trying to acquire the material anyway. "Iran could soon begin, or may have already begun, to look for outside suppliers of uranium," the document says. "Extreme vigilance in dealing with Iran and its nuclear program is necessary given the requirements of the UN Security Council and the significant threat Iran presents to international peace and security."

The document also notes that given "Iran's publicly stated ambition to pursue its enrichment-related activities, we believe it critically important that the world's major uranium resource companies prevent all exports of uranium to Iran unless contained in fuel rods and for an established light-water reactor.

Beyond the responsibility to prevent nuclear proliferation that we all share and the specific requirements of the UNSC, we believe that nuclear cooperation - particularly the provision of raw nuclear materials - with Iran is a significant business and reputational risk."

It adds that "we urge companies subject to your jurisdiction not to facilitate Iran's nuclear ambitions by engaging in new business deals with Iran until all concerns regarding its intentions have been resolved and confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program has been established."

Next Wednesday, a senior U.S. delegation led by National Security Adviser James Jones will arrive in Israel. He will be accompanied by President Barack Obama's special Mideast adviser, Dennis Ross, who recently served as Clinton's special adviser on Iran.

The delegation will also include representatives of the CIA, Defense Department, Treasury and State Department. These officials were invited to Israel by National Security Advisor Uzi Arad, who will lead the Israeli side in what is said to be a continuation of talks held in Washington around three weeks ago.


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      1.   So now the U.S. accepts a nuclear Iran 09:26  |  Zev 22/07/09
      2.   Clinton , the US and iran 09:27  |  Benzaquen 22/07/09
      3.   There`s only one way to prevent Iran from ME nuclear domination 09:42  |  Natallie Durson 22/07/09
      4.   Just a talk - whre are your actions.? 09:43  |  Vital 22/07/09
      5.   U.S. 09:45  |  Ralph 22/07/09
      6.   Finally the US has shown its true colors - yellow - 09:46  |  Ivor Dwatt 22/07/09
      7.   Read the title! 09:47  |  Cynical 22/07/09
      8.   Clinton: U.S. won`t let nuclear Iran dominate Mideast 09:55  |  Meir 22/07/09
      9.   Don`t worry, be happy 09:57  |  Robin 22/07/09
      10.   What is the Obama Plan? 10:09  |  Reid 22/07/09
      11.   U.S. Won`t Let.....Says Clinton 10:09  |  The Teacher/Instruct 22/07/09
      12.   Will US let nuclear Israel continue to dominate Mideast? 10:17  |  Petteri 22/07/09
      13.   What is Obama Plan II 10:20  |  Reid 22/07/09
      14.   I wouldn`t trust Clinton/Obama to protect my dog 10:56  |  Brent 22/07/09
      15.   so we are suppose to trust them for defense 11:09  |  David 22/07/09
      16.   She wants that NUCLEAR U.S.A. should dominate Mideast 11:14  |  Szordin 22/07/09
      17.   She has never said ,thus as there were never any understanings 11:23  |  Absolute Sweden 22/07/09
      18.   Then U.S. has accepted a nuclear Iran. 11:28  |  Mitra 22/07/09
      19.   Iran is already a dominant force 11:55  |  MiddleStanian 22/07/09
      20.   A shabby Clinton statement - replete with "ifs", "unlikely", etc 12:07  |  S 22/07/09
      21.   A lot of moaning about the US here 12:41  |  Welshman 22/07/09
      22.   You don`t like our umbrella? get your own - you doing us favors? 12:42  |  American citizen 22/07/09
      23.   #1 Zev 12:56  |  Cool B 22/07/09
      24.   Clinton statement present a significant threat to Mideast stabili 12:56  |  Joseph .E 22/07/09
      25.   USA help 13:03  |  Salam 22/07/09
      26.   Defining moment or a ballyhoo dance 13:06  |  allang 22/07/09
      27.   IT IS WRITTEN ISRAEL WILL BECOME A SHARP THRESHING INSTRUMENT ?? 13:10  |  BILL 22/07/09
      28.   Israel has been sowing salt 13:13  |  Natallie Durson 22/07/09
      29.   Kinda like they did in Lebanon and Rafiah? 13:13  |  James 22/07/09
      30.   Heaven forbid 13:17  |  ron 22/07/09
      31.   Words wont stop Iran 13:18  |  petra 22/07/09
      32.   American Citizen? (probably not) 13:20  |  Petra 22/07/09
      33.   Welchman and how many battles have you won? 13:22  |  petra 22/07/09
      34.   Limited Options 13:27  |  cynic #2 22/07/09
      35.   go away america 13:38  |  jem 22/07/09
      36.   the usual democrat stance since carter and clinton 13:51  |  v hardman 22/07/09
      37.   beginning of the end 13:58  |  nadav 22/07/09
      38.   Hillary C. The Taliban are more trustworthy 14:01  |  DT 22/07/09
      39.   cowardice US forget that absolute umbrella does not exist!!!! 14:07  |  spander 22/07/09
      40.   US does what is in our interest 14:08  |  Bill 22/07/09
      41.   The Nerve of the U.S.A.!!!! 14:09  |  Druid 22/07/09
      42.   modern patriot was unable to stop all the old saddam`scuds 14:14  |  leba 22/07/09
      43.   answer to #14 14:20  |  flora 22/07/09
      44.   She-Clinton promised umbrella? UK & FRANCE also promised umbrella 14:45  |  Vittorio 22/07/09
      45.   The truth is that it`s not an umbrella... it`s more like a 14:59  |  Erastus CoupeDeVille 22/07/09
      46.   #23 Cool B in Florida 15:06  |  Zev 22/07/09
      47.   The meaning of "sowing salt" is to exist, then Israel sows salt 15:16  |  Israeli citizen 22/07/09
      48.   Israel does not deserve Americas protection or support 15:21  |  American in NY 22/07/09
      49.   David # 15 the answer is no 15:23  |  American in NY 22/07/09
      50.   Zev # 44 15:29  |  American in NY 22/07/09
      51.   "Protection", sounds familiar from "The Godfather" 15:42  |  Israeli citizen 22/07/09
      52.   "Protection", sounds familiar from "The Godfather" 15:43  |  Israeli citizen 22/07/09
      53.   Didnt you get the memo? u cant destroy their facilities 15:47  |  miriam 22/07/09
      54.   Jews to complain now? After "genius" Jews (80%!!!) voted for BHO. 16:14  |  Pssd off American. 22/07/09
      55.   Well that will piss off Russians and China 16:25  |  CM 22/07/09
      56.   miriam don`t ignore the obvious. 16:42  |  petra 22/07/09
      57.   Yellow 16:43  |  American USA 22/07/09
      58.   Pssd off American the Jews didn`t elect Obama 16:47  |  petra 22/07/09
      59.   BILL AMEN, AMEN AND ONE MORE BIG AMEN BROTHER. 16:57  |  petra 22/07/09
      60.   badav it wasn`t the Jews, 17:03  |  petra 22/07/09
      61.   Protocols of the Elders of Islam? 17:04  |  Druid 22/07/09
      62.   US tried working with Israel, must now move on with agenda 17:04  |  Shaul Ben-Yimini 22/07/09
      63.   ok and Israel wont allow majority jews in Jerusalem East 17:06  |  lily 22/07/09
      64.   Wrong the Jews have voted Obama and support him and Clinton 17:07  |  lily 22/07/09
      65.   To # 59 17:23  |  David 22/07/09
      66.   US repetetive failed judgement 17:57  |  bernard ross 22/07/09
      67.   Iran - Iraq 18:06  |  WILLIAM J CLEMONS 22/07/09
      68.   Oh yeah! Sure! Just like they can control 18:08  |  Nechama 22/07/09
      69.   Obama/Clinton dedicated to surrender of US 18:11  |  Christopher 22/07/09
      70.   US foreign policy is the mistery with no visible achievements 18:19  |  17 22/07/09
      71.   3/4ths US Jewish voters voted for Obama & knew his Muslim Roots 18:28  |  Uri Levy 22/07/09
      72.   Well, this kind of glib doubletalk is why Billary isn`t President 18:29  |  Dr. L. Brnd 22/07/09
      73.   Simply put:Obama/Clinton has NO policy! 18:42  |  Christopher 22/07/09
      74.   #12, Israel is a liberal democracy on America`s side 18:44  |  Andrew 22/07/09
      75.   petra #59 Obama not as clueless 18:47  |  J.S 22/07/09
      76.   To Druid in LV:"**Muslim conspiracy** 18:51  |  Christopher 22/07/09
      77.   Has the Israeli Government finally gone insane? 19:00  |  Mark Lincoln 22/07/09
      78.   The only solution 19:02  |  Texan 22/07/09
      79.   #70-17 Invisibility of US foreign policy achievements is well put 19:19  |  S 22/07/09
      80.   Israel`s Nukes Make Iran`s Nukes Legitimate! 19:23  |  Monitor 22/07/09
      81.   Re: Israel slams Clinton statement on nuclear Iran 19:36  |  David O. 22/07/09
      82.   Another tall tale from Clinton/Obama lie factory 19:43  |  Gary 22/07/09
      83.   Friends 20:41  |  Good 22/07/09
      84.   To # 77 this is no goverement my friend this is kindergarden 20:51  |  David 22/07/09
      85.   nuclear Iran 21:06  |  aramkr 22/07/09
      86.   Obama`s outrageous lies 21:07  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 22/07/09
      87.   Talk is easy 21:36  |  Brod 22/07/09
      88.   Iran can be stopped 21:47  |  Naz 22/07/09
      89.   #59 petra Chosen people BS ... 22:00  |  American 22/07/09
      90.   #70 response to 17 22:28  |  Mark B. 22/07/09
      91.   to #1 Zev 22:49  |  Hilda 22/07/09
      92.   I trust the U.S. with Iran 23:07  |  U.S. citizen 22/07/09
      93.   78 Texan - The Texas Navy? 23:22  |  Mark of Lewiston 22/07/09
      94.   #84 01:36  |  Naz 23/07/09
      95.   19 MiddleStanian 02:44  |  Hugh 23/07/09
      96.   Brod & Cipora - Tell Us What you Want 04:44  |  Mark of Lewiston 23/07/09
      97.   #91, Mark of Lewiston 07:04  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 23/07/09
      98.   A Nuclear Iran 07:45  |  Stephen Hughes 23/07/09
      99.   Re #28 08:10  |  RME 23/07/09
      100.   Summer reruns or recycling? 08:22  |  Profco 23/07/09
      101.   Cipora Julianna Kohn`s got the `I wants` 16:06  |  pistol pete 23/07/09
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