AP Enterprise: How nuclear equipment reached Iran

[bananas]

Source: Washington Post

Early last year, a Chinese company placed an order with a Taiwanese agent for 108 nuclear-related pressure gauges. But something happened along the way. Paperwork was backdated. Plans were rerouted, orders reconfigured, shipping redirected.

And the gauges ended up in a very different place: Iran.

The story behind the gauges shows how Iran is finding its way around international sanctions meant to prevent it from getting equipment that can be used to make a nuclear bomb. At least half a dozen times in recent years, the Persian Gulf nation has tried to use third countries as transshipment points for obtaining controlled, nuclear-related equipment.

In the case of the pressure gauges, it succeeded. In the process, the Swiss manufacturer and the Swiss government were duped, a Chinese company went around its own government's prohibition on moving nuclear-related equipment to Iran, and Taiwanese authorities showed themselves unwilling or unable to get into step with the international community.

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Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/28/AR2010022801613.html

[karynnj]

1. There was a SFRC hearing with NYC DA Morgethau whose office caught

Iran using a British bank which distorted the actual information. It is a fascinating hearing - Especially given the relationship that he and Kerry, who chaired it had over BCCI. http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/20090506/

[Wilms]

2. Octafish/Know your BFEE: Cheney & Halliburton Sold Iran Nuke Technology

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=928662&mesg_id=928662

[gateley]

3. Doesn't our government (or certain factions of it) usually sell weapons to our

enemies?

[daleo]

4. It's a dual responsibility

of The Ministry of Peace and The Ministry of Plenty.