IRAN
US envoy blasts Iran’s nuclear ‘deceit’
George Jahn, The Associated Press – September 19, 2011
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu accused Iran of nuclear “denial, deceit and evasion” on Monday, warning that Tehran’s decision to move some uranium enrichment facilities to an underground bunker brings it closer to being able to producing the fissile core of a warhead.
US, Iran trade barbs at U.N. nuclear agency meet
Fredrik Dahl and Michael Shields, Reuters Alertnet – September 19, 2011.
he United States and Iran traded accusations at a meeting of the U.N. atomic agency on Monday, underlining the deep deadlock between the two adversaries in a long-running dispute over the Islamic state’s nuclear programme.
Analysis: West fears possible Iran-North Korea nuclear links
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters – Semptember 17, 2011
Last year, a U.N. report suggested that impoverished, reclusive North Korea might have supplied Iran as well as Syria and Myanmar with banned atomic technology. In what could be a sign of this, a German newspaper last month reported that North Korea had provided Iran with a computer program as part of intensified cooperation that could help the Islamic state build nuclear weapons.
NORTH KOREA
China calls for resumption of six-party talks
Paula Hancocks, CNN – September 19, 2011
China is calling Monday for the resumption of six party talks on North Korea’s nuclear disarmament two days before planned inter-Korean talks. “We are happy to see that there have been some new, positive interactions between the parties concerned surrounding the restart of the six party talks,” Foreign minister Yang Jiechi told a seminar in Beijing. “The parties must seize these opportunities.”
Koreas’ talks could spark disarmament progress
Foster Klug, The Associated Press – September 19, 2011
A meeting Wednesday of the rival Koreas’ nuclear envoys could provide crucial momentum toward restarting disarmament talks, just months after the two countries were threatening to bomb each other into rubble.
NON-PROLIFERATION
Nuclear Power Exporters Back Common Security Measures
Diane Barnes, Global Security Newswire – September 16, 2011
global coalition of firms that market atomic energy facilities on Thursday unveiled new, common procedures aimed in part at maximizing the physical protection of newly constructed sites and preventing the spread of weapon-sensitive material and systems
New nuclear security plan tops IAEA talks agenda
The Economic Times – September 19, 2011
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) talks open in Vienna today, focusing on a new nuclear security plan following the disaster at Japan’s Fukushima plant and amid fears over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
AFGHANISTAN
Pakistan not to blame for Afghan violence: officials
Zeeshan Haider, Reuters – September 19, 2011
The United States should focus on defeating Muslim militant enemies inside Afghanistan instead of blaming Pakistan for its failure, Pakistani officials said on Monday.
