Was Iran in North Korea to witness its missile launch?

Monday, July 3, 2006.
Was Iran in North Korea to witness its missile launch to make a decision to purchase the missile?

• Yonhapnews.co.kr reported that ten Iranian missile engineers recently visited N. Korea, apparently to join the launch preparation for the long-range Taepodong-2 missile. Apparently, Iran wanted to collect information (on the equipments) in order to determine whether to purchase them from China.

Iran and EU have been "talking daily." So what is Wednesday's meeting for?

• Dow Jones Newswires reported that top Iranian and European envoys will meet Wednesday to discuss "ambiguities" in a package of Western incentives, but the ambiguities shouldn't there since the EU's Solana and Iran's Larijani are "in contact on a daily basis."
• The New York Times reported that Iran again rejected a deadline to respond to an international proposal to end the standoff over its nuclear program.

Hersch: on the problems with military strikes on Iran. More "anonymous sources."

• Symour M. Hersh, The New Yorker published his latest Iran report based on his "anonymous" sources. While he illustrates the problems with the military options in dealing with the Iranian nuclear crisis, he offers few solutions.

Iranian intelligence fears a "soft revolution in Iran."

• News.com.au reported that the Iranian intelligence ministry accused prominent Iranian intellectual Ramin Jahanbegloo, who is currently imprisoned, trying to "instigate a velvet and soft revolution in Iran."
• Mehr News.ir reported that Iranian Intelligence Minister Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei saidthat the Intelligence Ministry has devised various strategies to combat internal and external measures taken against Iran’s Islamic system and is closely monitoring foreign "subversives" activities.

Ahmadinejad's "nuclear symphony."

• Adnkronos International reported that a 'nuclear symphony' composed at the request Ahmadinejad will open in Tehran next week. Ahmadinejad has called on Iranian composers to honour with their talent "national pride."

Here are a few other news items you may have missed.

• Arab News reported that Iran has taken note of the mistakes of Saddam in dealing with the West in its nuclear development, but argues this is also a mis-guided strategy.
• San Francisco Chronicle reported that Iran is using its Shiite bonds to position itself in Lebanon. But not all Shiite's in Lebanon are happy about it.
• Regnum.ru reported that Tehran is proposing to accelerate construction of Iran-Ukraine oil pipeline.
• A petition Online addressed to the United Nations, European Union, and other international bodies asking for help in saving Malek Qorbani from stoning in Iran.

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Category: Iran.
- posted by Rosemary Welch@6:22 PM