NORTH KOREA
North Korea appeals for direct talks with US; South says it’s up to Pyongyang to make 1st move
The Associated Press — July 2, 2013
North Korea’s top diplomat said Tuesday that the U.S. must accept its offer for dialogue without preconditions if it wants to ease tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula. He drew a quick rebuttal from his South Korean counterpart, who said the international community has made clear that Pyongyang must give up its nuclear ambitions if it wants better relations.
S. Korea vows five-party unity on N. Korea’s nuclear ambition
Kim Deok-hyun, Yonhap News Agency — July 2, 2013
South Korea is seeking to build a united front with the United States, China, Russia and Japan on the sidelines of a regional security forum in Brunei to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program, a senior Seoul delegate said Tuesday.
IRAN
New Sanctions Imposed on Iran to Halt Gold Trading
Rick Gladstone, The New York Times — July 1, 2013
The first American sanctions on Iran since a moderate cleric won the presidential election there on June 14 went into effect on Monday, expanding the number of penalized industries and imposing rules that theoretically could halt all gold and currency trade by the country.
Iran says new U.S. sanctions will complicate nuclear issue
Marcus George, Reuters — July 2, 2013
Iran has played down the impact of U.S. sanctions that came into effect this week, but said the measures would complicate a resolution to the dispute over its nuclear program.
Exclusive: Iran importing missile-grade ore from Germany, France
Maytaal Angel and Jonathan Saul, Reuters — July 2, 2013
Exploiting a loophole in Western sanctions, Iran is importing a high grade of refined alumina ore from several European countries including Germany and France that Tehran could be using to make armor parts and missile components.
Iran Ex-Atomic Head Says Nuclear Talks Urgent as Time Runs Out
Ladane Nasseri, Bloomberg — July 2, 2013
Time is running out for western powers and Iran to engage in constructive talks over the Persian Gulf country’s nuclear program, a former chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said.
Editorial: It’s time for serious negotiations with Iran
The Boston Globe — July 2, 2013
Suddenly, a shift in circumstances in Iran has created a new opportunity to resolve a dangerous impasse over that country’s nuclear program. The Obama administration should move swiftly to test whether Iran’s relatively moderate president-elect is serious about brokering a deal over the program.
NUCLEAR TERRORISM
Governments warn about nuclear terrorism threat
Fredrik Dahl, Reuters — July 1, 2013
More action is needed to prevent militants acquiring plutonium or highly-enriched uranium that could be used in bombs, governments agreed at a meeting on nuclear security in Vienna on Monday, without deciding on any concrete steps.
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
Could nuclear weapons save the elephants?
Eoin O’Carroll, Christian Science Monitor — July 1, 2013
Researchers have found a way to use radioactive isotopes from above-ground nuclear testing to determine the age – and thus the legality – of ivory.
