VIENNA, Nov. 12, 2009

Diplomats: Iran Began Nuke Plant in 2002

Uranium Enrichment Facilities Have Been Built Sporadically, Starting 7 Years Ago

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(AP)  Diplomats say Iran built its recently revealed uranium enrichment facility in fits and starts, with construction beginning seven years ago.

The diplomats say Iran started building the plant near Qom in 2002, paused for two years in 2004 and resumed construction in 2006.

The diplomats speaking with The Associated Press on Thursday demanded anonymity in exchange for discussing confidential information drawn up by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran says it wants to enrich only to make nuclear fuel, but the West fears it could turn its program toward making fissile warhead material.


© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by YourVeryWrong November 12, 2009 9:08 PM EST
The Iranian regime and its apologists deserve a mass grave.
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by jwesel1 November 12, 2009 10:25 PM EST
You might want to check the meaning of the word "apologist" before using it. Why would Iranian government need to hire apologists when it has full right to build as many nuclear enrichment plants as it can. Did you ever hear a US apologist asking for permission before building such facilities?
by worldcitizen1 November 12, 2009 8:55 PM EST
The US needs to take care of business at home and stop making new enemies in the middle east. Iran is NO threat to the US. Unless they were attacked first.
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by 50BMS13 November 12, 2009 12:47 PM EST
The time is now. IRAN'S NUCLEAR FACILITIES NEED TO BE BOMBED BEFORE THEY CAN MAKE AND SELL NUKES TO TERRORISTS. Bring all the troops home, guard the shores, and get this done. Leave the drones and B1's to take care of looking and bombing Osama.
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by worldcitizen1 November 12, 2009 8:51 PM EST
Bombing Iran would be an act of "terrorism"! All this "crisis" mentality is being stirred up by Israel, which already has hundreds of nuclear weapons. Any nation with nuclear weapons could sell nukes to terrorists, should we bomb them all? Pure ignorance!
by 50BMS13 November 12, 2009 11:20 PM EST
worldcitizen1
Nations that have the weapon do not go around saying we will wipe you off the map. Ahmadinejad has said this about wiping Israel off the map. He even denies the Holocaust!With nuclear technology comes reponsibilty. Iran and Noth Korea do not show this responsibility and they support many terrorist factions around the world. Canada has Nuclear power. It is the country with the most Uranium in the world. Do we worry about Canada? NO. Cause they are with the civilized world of Nations. You liberal pansys are ruining the world. We will see WW#3 if this liberal crap keeps up. Cold war for 50 years no WW#3 cause of strong tough decisive government. Weak government = opportunities for terror groups to thrive.
by briannorwood November 12, 2009 12:06 PM EST
Iran began nuke plant in 2002...Right under Bush/Cheney's nose! Nice Post 9/11 job boys!
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by 50BMS13 November 12, 2009 12:44 PM EST
briannorwood
Bush said every State of the Union speech that Iran was part of the "Axis of Evil". He wanted to bomb them in the latter part of his administration but the newly liberal strengthened congress and senate would have nothing of it. After an unpopular war in Iraq, his hands were tied unfortunately.
by briannorwood November 12, 2009 1:01 PM EST
Excuse me? You are talking about a lot of time elapsing between 2002 and 2006, when the Dems won a very slim majority in the House and Senate.

Sorry pal, I ain't buying it!
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by YourVeryWrong November 12, 2009 11:56 AM EST
Leonard Peikoff suggested that Iran's criminal regime be taken down in 2001.
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by jwesel1 November 12, 2009 10:27 PM EST
Leonard Peikoff suggested that Iran's criminal regime be taken down in 2001.
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But his brother said "Please don't do that"
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