US Intelligence on Iran Does Not Stand Up, Say Vienna Sources

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0223-05.htm

Published on Friday, February 23, 2007 by the Guardian / UK

US Intelligence on Iran Does Not Stand up, Say Vienna Sources

· Tip-offs did not lead to signs of banned activity
· IAEA report raises pressure for new sanctions
by Julian Borger


Much of the intelligence on Iran's nuclear facilities provided to UN inspectors by American spy agencies has turned out to be unfounded, according to diplomatic sources in Vienna.

The claims, reminiscent of the intelligence fiasco surrounding the Iraq war, coincided with a sharp increase in international tension as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran was defying a UN security council ultimatum to freeze its nuclear programme.

That report, delivered to the security council by the IAEA director general, Mohamed ElBaradei, sets the stage for a fierce international debate on the imposition of stricter sanctions on Iran, and raises the possibility that the US might resort to military action against Iranian nuclear sites.

At the heart of the debate are accusations, spearheaded by the US, that Iran is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. However, most of the tip-offs about supposed secret weapons sites provided by the CIA and other US intelligence agencies have led to dead ends when investigated by IAEA inspectors, according to informed sources in Vienna.

"Most of it has turned out to be incorrect," said a diplomat at the IAEA with detailed knowledge of the agency's investigations. "They gave us a paper with a list of sites. did some follow-up, they went to some military sites, but there was no sign of activities."

more...

[redqueen]

1. Hmmm... Mohamed ElBaradei... why is that name familiar to me...

[TheBaldyMan]

3. he's chief of the IAEA inspectorate n/t

[redqueen]

8. ahahahaha... yes, I know that... it's written right up there, see?

No, I was recalling his history of conflict with the Republic administration... and his work with Hans Blix during the build up to the Iraq war.

Thanks though. :D

[theoldman]

2. I find it hard to believe that our intelligence agencies are so

incompetent. In my opinion the problem is with the Bush regime. They take the data and distort it to achieve their political agenda. It will take many years for other countries to trust us again.

[TheBaldyMan]

5. they didn't know the Shah was going to be overthrown and the CIA

was running the country, since the US embassy was occupied then closed down it has been even worse.

the US has been blind since then.

[shadowknows69]

4. I'm shocked

shocked I tells ya, shocked.

[helderheid]

6. Recommend #1 - SURPRISE SURPRISE (not)

[Beelzebud]

7. Thanks to Bush, America's word has zero credability in world affairs...