Powel Reveals on Iranian Nuke Program, Puts US in Trouble [View All]

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A recent statement by US Secretary of State Colin Powell regarding Iran's purported march to nuclear armament caused a stir in Washington, especially since it concerned intelligence that President Bush had only shared with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

According to the Washington Post, an American newspaper, Bush told Blair of Iran's possible weapons development when Blair visited the White House last week. An investigation is underway to determine whether or not the intelligence, which was addressed in a 1,000 page document of Iran's nuclear capability, is genuine. The Post wrote that the intelligence concerns warhead technology; specifically, long-range Shahab-3 missiles and other middle-range missiles. Iranians have been able to enrich uranium for a nuclear bomb since 2002.

A major concern in Washington is that the intelligence is immature and may be as faulty as previous estimates regarding Iraq's capabilities. If the intelligence estimate is confirmed however, than the information could become "clear proof of evidence" on Iranian nuclear capability.

Bush said Powell's statement was a "mistake" while other officials were less gentle, and were reportedly furious that he shared US intelligence with reporters. Powell's statement, furthermore, distressed the three European countries who signed an agreement to halt Iran's nuclear capacity last Sunday.

http://www.zaman.com/?bl=international&alt=&trh=20041120&hn=14027