Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., January 21, 2008 Shvat 14, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:31 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Iran's nuclear power plant at Bushehr, photographed in 2005. (AP) Last update - 11:31 20/01/2008 Security official urges U.S. to try to influence Iran public opinion By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and the Associated Press Tags: Israel, Iran, Russia, Nuclear A high-ranking Israeli security official has called on the United States and its allies to expand efforts to influence public opinion in Iran and to transfer messages to the public against the current Iranian regime. During a meeting held recently with members of the U.S. intelligence and security establishment, the official said he does not believe the U.S. is doing enough to initiate dialogue or pass messages to the varied ethnic groups and dissidents in Iran. The officials argued that greater investment in influencing Iranian public opinion could bring domestic turmoil that could topple the current regime. Advertisement The Iranian population is only around 50 percent Persian, with Azeris making up 25 percent of the population, while Kurds, Arabs and various other ethnic groups constitute the rest. These groups' interests do not always coincide with the policies of the current regime and the official argued that concerted efforts influence domestic politics in Iran could bring regime change. Fourth Russian shipment of nuclear fuel arrives in Iran A fourth Russian shipment of nuclear fuel arrived in Iran on Sunday, destined for a power plant being constructed in the southern Iranian port of Bushehr, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported. The report said 11 tons of fuel arrived at the Bushehr power plant, just two days after Iran received its third Russian shipment on Friday. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said earlier this month that Israel is concerned the Russian fuel deliveries might help Tehran in achieving nuclear weapons, which Israel accuses Iran of developing covertly. Tehran, however, says its nuclear program is for civilian use only. Russia has reportedly pledged to give Iran a total of 85 tons of nuclear fuel for the plant. The remainder of the fuel, about 40 tons, was scheduled to arrive in four separate shipments in the coming months, the report said. Iran received its first two shipments of nuclear fuel from Russia in December - after months of disputes between the two countries, allegedly over delayed construction payments for the reactor. Iran has said Bushehr, the country's first nuclear reactor, will begin operating in the summer of 2008, producing half of its 1,000 megawatt capacity of electricity. Tehran heralded the first shipment as a victory, saying it proved its nuclear program was peaceful and not a cover for weapons development as the United States has claimed. The U.S. and Russia have said the supply of nuclear fuel meant Iran had no need to continue its uranium enrichment program - a process that can provide fuel for a reactor or fissile material for a bomb. Iran has agreed with Russia to return the spent fuel to ensure it doesn't extract plutonium to build a bomb. Iran insisted it would continue enriching uranium because it needed to provide fuel to a 300-megawatt light-water reactor it was building in the southwestern town of Darkhovin. Iranian officials have said they plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear energy in the next two decades. Russia's decision to begin shipping nuclear fuel to Iran followed a U.S. intelligence report released last month that concluded Tehran had stopped its nuclear weapons program in late 2003 and had not resumed it since. Related articles: News / Ahmadinejad: Missile tested by IDF won't save Israel from collapse Bush, in Israel: Iran poses threat to world peace Iran seeks wins at Beijing Olympics to strengthen int'l image FM heads to Moscow for talks on Iran, Middle East peace talks Bookmark to del.icio.us   Vision of cooperation Saudi prince says if Israel leaves Arab land, it could join the Arab world. At odds with PM Bolton says the final IDF op in Lebanon had no impact on UN truce talks.   1.   Back to WMD 11:05  |  manny.b 20/01/08   2.   A pestering child tugs at its parent`s coat, yet again 12:36  |  Clickfool 20/01/08   3.   The USA alone has enough nukes 12:48  |  Kris 20/01/08   4.   Threats unite 15:49  |  jjvanka 20/01/08   5.   Russia stoking fire in the region 16:17  |  Brod 20/01/08   6.   #3 - Peaceful Mullas 18:10  |  Pedro 20/01/08   7.   So, you want Russia to Join Sanctions? 22:50  |  Yari 20/01/08   8.   Nukes, Israel and Iran. 02:15  |  Habah 21/01/08

Today Online Barak: Pay no heed to Nasrallah, that's what gives him strength Responses: 246 Gaza power plant shuts down due to fuel shortage Responses: 183 State to review 2007 IDF assassinations in Gaza, West Bank Responses: 82 Shmuel Rosner: Why do Nevada's Jews support Clinton? Responses: 67 Catrin Ormestad: Qassam attacks are destroying life in Gaza Responses: 61 Bolton: Final IDF op in Lebanon had no impact on UN truce Responses: 34 Rosner's Domain Domain's guest: Americans must help improve Israel's education system Why Huckabee worries the Jewish voter 67% of Nevada Jews voted for Clinton Meadow Soprano is more proud of Israel than the US (WTR) Blog & Poll: Can Joe Lieberman convince Jews in Florida to vote for McCain? More Headlines 00:41 Gaza power plant shuts down due to fuel blockade 01:58 Bolton: Final IDF op in Lebanon had no impact on UN truce talks 01:41 Poll: Only 16% of Israleis back Diaspora input on fate of J'lem 22:07 Peres: Public will rule on any deal reached with Palestinians 22:36 Why Republican candidate Mike Huckabee worries Jewish voters 16:21 Ministers call for assassination of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah 18:03 Saudi prince: If Israel quits Arab land, it could join Arab world 18:26 Germany warns Jewish community of terror threat from Lebanon 02:10 Teen detainees refuse to leave home condemned as unfit by gov't Previous Editions Select Day 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Teach & Study Program make a difference in Israel FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations AMERICANS CHOOSE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE U.S. citizen in Israel vote in Democrats-Abroad official global primary. Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved