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Interview: The Iranians 'Tricked and Misled Us'

IN THIS ISSUE: The Iranians "tricked and misled us," Arab Bank "never dealt with" North Korea, Japan sets 2014 target for decontamination, 4 generator failures hit US nuclear plants, US diplomat to discuss missile defense in Moscow, N. Korea could conduct 3rd nuke test.

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Published on October 11, 2011

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In This Issue
The Iranians 'Tricked and Misled Us'
Der Spiegel
Arab Bank "Never Dealt With" North Korea
The Jordan Times
Japan's Government Sets 2014 Target for Decontamination Work
Asahi Shimbun
Four Generator Failures Hit U.S. Nuclear Plants
Associated Press
Senior U.S. Diplomat to Discuss Missile Defense in Moscow
RIA Novosti
North Korea Could Conduct Third Nuke Test if Talks Fail
Yonhap News Agency

The Iranians 'Tricked and Misled Us'

Erich Follath | Der Spiegel

Iran at the IAEA

In a SPIEGEL interview, Olli Heinonen, the former deputy director of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, offers his first assessment of his 27 years at the global nuclear watchdog. He addresses Iran's nuclear program, his concerns about the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and mistakes made in Fukushima.

SPIEGEL: Mr. Heinonen, if you consider your time as the United Nations' atomic "watchdog," do you look back in anger? Or did you succeed in making the world safer from nuclear bombs?

Heinonen: There are quite a few things I'm proud of. While I was at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), we played a significant role in putting Abdul Qadir Khan -- the most dangerous nuclear smuggler of all times -- out of action. But when I think about the nuclear activities of certain states, for instance Iran's nuclear program, I have to say that we allowed ourselves to be placated too often. We should have done more than carrying out our inspections. Yes, with hindsight you could perhaps even say we failed.

SPIEGEL: You sound worried. Is Tehran really on a direct path to becoming a nuclear state?     Full Article



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Arab Bank "Never Dealt With" North Korea
Omar Obeidat | The Jordan Times
The Arab Bank on Sunday stressed that it has never dealt with the government of North Korea or Tanchon Bank, which the US has accused of being the primary financial agent behind Pyongyang's weapons programmes. "Based on a review of its customer account and transaction records, Arab Bank does not believe that it has conducted business with the government of North Korea or Tanchon Bank," a spokesperson from the Arab Bank said.     Full Article

 
 
Related News
UK Nuclear Safety Review Finds 38 Cases for Improvement (The Guardian)
Japan's Government Sets 2014 Target for Decontamination Work
Asahi Shimbun
The Noda Administration is aiming to remove all radioactive materials scattered from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant by the end of fiscal 2013, a timetable that gives evacuees some idea of when they can return home. It's the first time that the government has released a target for completion of the decontamination work, which would fall at the end of March 2014.     Full Article

 
 
Related Report
China Marches on With Nuclear Energy, in Spite of Fukushima (New York Times)
Four Generator Failures Hit U.S. Nuclear Plants
Ray Henry | Associated Press
Four generators that power emergency systems at nuclear plants have failed when needed since April, an unusual cluster that has attracted the attention of federal inspectors and could prompt the industry to re-examine its maintenance plans. Three diesel generators failed after tornadoes ripped across Alabama and knocked out electric lines serving the Tennessee Valley Authority's Browns Ferry nuclear plant in April.     Full Article

 
 
Related News
Lavrov: Russia will Find Cheap Reply to U.S. Missile Defense (RT)
Senior U.S. Diplomat to Discuss Missile Defense in Moscow
RIA Novosti
"Ellen Tauscher, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security will be in Moscow from Oct 11-14," the State Department said in a statement. "During her visit she is scheduled to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov to continue discussions on missile defense cooperation." Russia and NATO have agreed at a Russia-NATO summit in Lisbon in November 2010 to work on the missile shield but NATO wants it to be based on two independent systems that exchange information.     Full Article

North Korea Could Conduct Third Nuke Test if Talks Fail
Yonhap News Agency
The possibility of a third nuclear test or long-range missile launch by North Korea is a likely discussion topic for the presidents of South Korea and the United States next week, after a presidential aide warned Friday that the North is ready for further testing if six-party talks do not resume. Kim Tae-hyo, deputy national security advisor to President Lee Myung-bak, said Lee and U.S. President Barack Obama will hold "in-depth" discussions about the allies' "conventional and extended nuclear deterrence."    Full Article

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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