Sharon urged Bush: Step up pressure to prevent Iran getting nukes

WASHINGTON - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon presented President George W. Bush with the latest Israeli intelligence assessments of Iran's nuclear weapons program, and called on Bush to step up the diplomatic efforts to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb.

A source in Sharon's entourage said that Iran is sensitive to pressure, "and it is still possible to influence it."

The Iranian issue was the main point of Monday's discussion during the lunch Bush served at his ranch to Sharon and the Israeli officials who accompanied him. The premier's military secretary, Maj. Gen. Yoav Gallant, delivered a presentation with an analysis of the latest satellite imagery taken above Iran's nuclear development facilities, explaining how those facilities have expanded since 2002.

Israeli intelligence assessments say that Iran is using the diplomatic freeze around its nuclear program to continue developing various elements necessary to acquire nuclear capability. At the same time, Iran is also believed to be keeping its promise to the European Triad - France, Germany and Britain - to suspend its uranium enrichment programs using the centrifuges it has built. But it is believed that the Iranians are developing other elements in their nuclear program, not covered by the promises to the Europeans.

Israel believes that the Iranians are not enriching uranium because of technical difficulties. "They are still missing some parts, but they are very close to achieving full capability to produce enriched uranium," said a source in Sharon's entourage.

The Israeli position, presented to Bush, is that the current status quo is dangerous because it enables the Iranians to continue their efforts to produce the bomb.

There is concern in Israel that the Europeans will make do with the temporary suspension and avoid any pressure on Iran to halt the project completely. Iran could proceed quietly toward uranium enrichment and then create an international crisis enabling it to withdraw from the commitments it made to the Europeans and start accelerated production of fissionable material.

Sharon wants the U.S. to pressure the Europeans to move the Iranian case to the UN Security Council, which can impose sanctions on Iran. Israel wants the U.S. and Europe to set a clear timetable for halting the Iranian project, and to prepare for the coming crisis in such a way that would intensify the pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear weapons program.

Arnon Regular adds:

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas yesterday afternoon to brief him on the Sharon-Bush talks, and on the American position regarding construction in the settlement blocs in particular and the territories in general.

Senior Palestinian sources said that Rice made clear to Abbas that the American position is against any construction in the territories, and that the president's position is that the settlements issue will be resolved in the final status negotiations and not by creating facts on the ground.

The Palestinian government, convened yesterday by PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, demanded that the U.S. explicitly state its opposition to construction in the settlement blocs and demand immediate action against the illegal outposts.

The government stated that the PA does not recognize the legitimacy of the settlement blocs, and regards any understandings between Israel and the U.S. on the matter to be prejudicial to the discussions for a final status agreement.