IRAN GROK Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Ahmadinejad Slams Russia’s Stance Against Iran [May 26]
” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday criticized Russia for backing the United States in pushing for a new round of sanctions against Tehran, the local satellite Press TV reported. Interpreting Russia’s behavior “has become more and more difficult for us,” Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying. “Our people don’t know if they (Russians) are our friends, on our side or after something different,” the semi-official Fars news agency quoted him as saying. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday in a Senate hearing that the U.S. and its Western allies had reached an agreement with Russia and China over a draft UN Security Council resolution that would expand sanctions against Iran for its failure to halt its controversial nuclear program. With the coordination of Brazil and Turkey, Iran agreed earlier this month to deposit 1,200 kg of its 3.5 percent (low-enriched) uranium in Turkey, 120 kg of 20 percent uranium for the need of the Tehran Research Reactor will return to Iran within one year. However, Iran announced later that uranium enrichment will be continued within the country..” [Complete Report]
Clinton Praises China on Iran Issue [May 26]
“The United States is pleased with China’s cooperation in the U.N. Security Council on the Iranian nuclear program, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Beijing at the end of the two-day China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogues, Clinton responded to a question on the resolution on Iran by the five Security Council members plus Germany, or P-5+1. China had agreed to participate in the talks while maintaining its stand on resolving the issue through diplomacy. Iran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes but Western allies say it is designed to make nuclear weapons and are urging tougher U.N. sanctions against Tehran. “With respect to Iran, we are pleased with the cooperation that we’ve received..” [Complete Report]
Iran’s President Calls Tehran Declaration on Fuel Swap “Last Chance [May 26]
” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Tehran’s trilateral nuclear fuel swap declaration is the last opportunity for the West to resolve Iran’s nuclear case, the local satellite Press TV reported. “There are no excuses left as Tehran declaration is the best opportunity. We have taken important steps,” President Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying as he addressed a crowd in Iran’s central city of Kerman on Wednesday. Iran, Turkey and Brazil signed an agreement earlier this month in Tehran under which the Iranian low enriched uranium would be shipped to Turkey in exchange for the 20 percent uranium fuel needed for Iran’s Tehran reactor. U.S. President Barack Obama “should bear in mind that if he does not use this opportunity, Iranians are unlikely to give him a new chance,” said Ahmadinejad. Tehran is already under three sets of UN sanctions for refusing to halt its uranium enrichment program. Washington states that it has reached an agreement with its Western allies as well as Russia and China for the new round of sanctions on Iran..” [Complete Report]
