">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Mullen: Iran has fissile materials for bomb
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Mullen: Iran has fissile materials for bomb
By STEVEN R. HURST,Associated Press Writer AP - Monday, March 2
WASHINGTON - The top U.S. military official said Sunday that Iran has sufficient fissile material for a nuclear weapon, declaring it would be a "very, very bad outcome" should Tehran move forward with a bomb.
ADVERTISEMENT
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered the assessment when questioned in a broadcast interview about a recent report by the U.N. nuclear watchdog on the state of Iran's uranium enrichment program, which can create nuclear fuel and may be sufficiently advanced to produce the core of warheads.
Mullen was asked if Iran now had enough fissile material to make a bomb. He responded, "We think they do, quite frankly. And Iran having a nuclear weapon I've believed for a long time is a very, very bad outcome for the region and for the world."
Mullen's spokesman, Capt. John Kirby, said Mullen was referring only to the International Atomic Energy Agency's finding that Iran has processed 2,222 pounds (1,010 kilograms) of low-enriched uranium.
Experts differ on whether that stockpile is enough to allow Iran to further refine the material and arm one weapon, should it choose to do so. Experts also disagree about how long it would take Iran to make the leap to a deployable weapon. Iran is continuing an accelerated nuclear development program.
State Department spokesman Robert A. Wood said Sunday that it was not possible say how much fissile material Iran has accumulated.
"There are differing view not only outside government but also inside the government" on how far Iran has gone, Wood said. He added that while he was not suggesting Mullen was incorrect, "We just don't know" exactly how much fissile material Iran now holds.
"We are concerned they are getting close" to having enough to build a nuclear weapon, he added. Wood spoke to reporters traveling with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Egypt.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who like Mullen appeared on the Sunday talk shows, did not go as far as Mullen. The Iranians, Gates said, are "not close to a weapon at this point and so there is some time" for continued diplomatic efforts.
And the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, recently told National Public Radio that the IAEA report "confirms what we all had feared and anticipated, which is that Iran remains in pursuit of its nuclear program."
Iran, now subjected to various penalties by the U.N., the U.S. and others over its nuclear program, denies it wants to build a bomb. It asserts its program is intended to provide the country with the homegrown ability to generate electricity from nuclear reactors.
So far, the U.S. has not relented in its claims that Iran has ambitions to join the club of nuclear-armed nations. Mullen seemed to restate that position in his remarks on CNN's "State of the Union." He was not asked to elaborate.
Under an international nuclear treaty it has signed, Iran has the right to develop a civilian program for the nuclear generation of electricity. But any such program must be open to international inspection. Iran has balked at that after it became known in past years that the country had hidden portions of its nuclear effort that could be linked to a weapons program.
At issue now is Iran's uranium enrichment efforts. The Bush administration insisted that was a precursor to making weapons-grade materials. President Barack Obama has sought to change course with Iran, offering diplomatic engagement in a bid to prove Tehran has more to lose by ignoring the wishes of other countries than it has to gain through its nuclear efforts.
"The question is whether you can increase the level of the sanctions and the cost to the Iranians of pursuing that program at the same time you show them an open door if they want to engage with the Europeans, with us and so on if they walk away from that program," Gates said. "Our chances of being successful, it seems to me, are a lot better at $35 or $40 oil than they were at $140 oil because there are economic costs to this program, they do have economic challenges at home."
Days after Obama announced his plan to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, Mullen and Gates made clear their support for the commander in chief's approach.
Mullen said he was comfortable with the decision, while noting he was reluctant to talk about "winning and losing" in Iraq. Rather, he said, the conditions are in place for the Baghdad government to successfully take control of the country.
Mullen said Obama listened extensively to the American military leadership and U.S. commanders in Iraq before announcing withdrawal. Under the president's order, the 142,000 U.S. forces in Iraq would be drawn down to between 35,000 and 50,000 troops by the 2010 date. All forces would be withdrawn by the last day of 2011.
Gates said he thought it was "fairly remote" that conditions in Iraq would change enough to alter significantly the Obama plan. He said the president has said he retains the authority to change a plan if it's in the national security interests of the United States.
"Our soldiers will be consolidated into a limited number of bases in order to provide protection for themselves and for civilians who are out working in the Iraqi neighborhoods and countryside as well," Gates said. "The risk to our troops will be substantially less than certainly was last year, and it has, has gradually declined."
Gates appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press," while Mullen also was interviewed on "Fox News Sunday."
___
Associated Press writers Anne Gearan in Washington and Robert Burns in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, contributed to this story.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: World
U.S. rattled as Mexico drug war bleeds over borderReuters - 1 hour 1 minute ago
Afghan, NATO probe confirms eight civilians killedAFP - 1 hour 2 minutes ago
Bomb kills armed forces chief of staff in Guinea-BissauAFP - 1 hour 7 minutes ago
Thousands at funerals for Bangladesh mutiny deadReuters - 1 hour 9 minutes ago
Massive snowstorm barrels up US East coastAFP - 1 hour 10 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Supermodel Bundchen ties knot with football star Brady
Berkshire Hathaway buffeted by downturn
Prada and Cavalli give Milan the boot
Volkswagen to cut all temporary staff
New UBS chief signals flexibility on tax evasion: report
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 2 March 2009 Medvedev wants specific U.S. missile proposals
| International
|
Iran not close to nuclear weapon: Gates
| International
|
Doctor tells Venezuela's Chavez to stop talking
| International
|
Telekom Austria CEO to step down to head VimpelCom
| Technology
|
Boat Carrying Two NFL Players Lost At Sea
American, Hong Kong Scientists Develop Bird Flu Cure From Smallpox Vaccine
Top NASA Climatologist Leading Climate Change Protest
East Coast Braces For Major Winter Storm
Radio News, Talk Show Icon Paul Harvey Dies At Age 90
Texas Wildfire Destroys More Than 20 Homes, Threatens Many Others
Jonas Brothers hit flat note at box office
| Entertainment
|
Canada PM says West won't beat Afghan insurgency
Medvedev wants specific U.S. missile proposals
| International
|
North Korea requests rare meeting with U.N. forces
| International
|
International donors meet on Gaza rebuilding
Iran has enough material to make nuclear bomb: US admiral
Mullen: Iran has fissile materials for bomb
AIG to get 30 bln dollars more bailout aid: report
Iraqi Shiites protest local vote in tense province
Stress, suicide: tough wounds for the US Army
Gunfire in Bissau after armed forces chief killed
| International
|
British commander says democracy rooted in Iraq: report
Stem cell breakthrough now goes one step further
Pakistani kidnappers set deadline to kill American
| International
|
Mideast peace envoy Blair makes Gaza visit
Market stabilisation measures 'gaining traction': BIS
Democracy is firmly rooted in Iraq: British general
| International
|
Sarkozy picks special envoy for Afghanistan, Pakistan: officials
Prada and Cavalli give Milan the boot
US missile strike kills eight in Pakistan: officials
Israel threatens painful response to Gaza rockets
U.S. military chief comfortable with Iraq withdrawal
Capitol power plant dims clean energy hopes
Feature: Lower Oil Prices Don't Mean Lower Gas Prices
Iran has enough material to make nuclear bomb: US
NFL Players Among Boaters Sought by Coast Guard Off Florida
Iran angered over films 'The Wrestler' and '300'
Analysis: Cuba waiting and watching Obama
Twitter takes Washington by storm
US closely watching NKorea for possible test-fire
US-TECH Summary
Gates: US military can help Mexico in drug fight
Telekom Austria CEO to step down to head VimpelCom
'Significant military success' in Iraq: Gates
Sudan expels foreign newsman
New trial for jailed Russian tycoon Khodorkovsky
EU rejects eastern Europe bailout, protectionism
Ruling Socialists suffer setbacks in Spanish polls
Italian shrine returned to Russian Orthodox Church
Testimony of Cambodia leaders sought at KRouge trial: reports
Slumdog brings Hollywood closer to Bollywood
NKorea, UN Command hold talks amid border tensions
Tibetan monastery surrounded after protest: activists
Brunei defends whipping 400 immigrants in 5 years
Report: Tibetan monks protest prayer ban
Cambodia's ex-king cites progress against his cancer
Bystanders win Aussie bravery medal for rescue bid
Seoul shares fall to 3 mth-low on won, bank fears
Random House buys `Moosewood Cookbook' publisher
Tibet in lockdown as anniversary looms
S.Korea won down 2.3 pct to hit 11-yr closing low
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Chinese bidder says will not pay for relics bought at Paris auction
China Baosteel says it bought control of smaller rival
CORRECTED: Rebellion on "Sarah Silverman" set
Nepal bans protests around Chinese Embassy
S. Korea Jan-Feb exports fall 26 pct, outlook bleak
TV news outlets seeking out youthful eyes and ears
China faces 'severe' year for foreign trade: state media
Snoop Dogg appears at Nation of Islam convention
China manufacturing down in Feb., but fall slows
Unfinished novel by Wallace coming next year
"Button" top movie overseas for fourth weekend
SKorea's Hyundai wins 1.3-bln-dlr order from Saudi
American dream shattered for Florida retirees
Asian shares down after more bad news on Wall Street
Slumdog brings Hollywood closer to Bollywood
S.Korea scraps uranium deals on weak prices-report
A disappointing 'Guys and Dolls' hits Times Square
Taiwan dlr near 6 1/2-yr low on econ worries, stocks
Indonesian tiger catchers race against time
China's grip on Tibet tight, but options limited
| International
|
Iranian-American journalist held in Iran: father
| International
|
CORRECTED: Rebellion on Sarah Silverman set
| Entertainment
|
Slumdog brings Hollywood closer to Bollywood
| Entertainment
|
Israel's outgoing leader Olmert faces legal fight
Donors pledge over $3 billion to rebuild Gaza, shun Hamas
| International
|
Atlanta "Housewife" Kim Zolciak Files Protective Order Against Ex-Publicist
Afghan, NATO probe confirms eight civilians killed
Iraq's Chemical Ali given third death sentence
| International
|
Ed McMahon In Intensive Care For Pneumonia And Other Ailments
London stock market strikes six-year low
Terminally-Ill Jade Goody Rushed To Hospital For Surgery
EU says crisis worst in memory, helping new EU states
| International
|
Bruce Willis Sued For Dodging Directorial Duties
India sets dates for April-May general election
| International
|
Guinea-Bissau's president 'assassinated'
Kremlin party cements grip in local Russian polls
| International
|
Pope, in new setback, retreats over bishop
| International
|
Thousands attend mass funeral in Bangladesh
| International
|
U.S. rattled as Mexico drug war bleeds over border
Massive snowstorm hits US East Coast
iPhones and PCs take fitness to heart
| Technology
|
Europe, S.Korea 'dominate' global IT development
Mobile phone growth helps poorer states: U.N.
| Technology
|
iPhones and PCs take fitness to heart
U.S. January Consumer Spending Breaks Losing Streak By Rising 0.6%
More American Fathers Take Active Role In PTAs
PC shipments to sink record 12 percent in 2009: Gartner
California Unions Vital Vote For Proposed State Spending Cap
Nordics, S.Korea 'top global IT ranking'
California Unions Consider Proposed State Spending Cap
Page Not Found |
Mobile phone growth helps poorer states: U.N.
Delta Airlines Introduces Paperless Cell Phone Boarding Pass
CeBit aims to entice cash-strapped consumers
| Technology
|
New York City More Vulnerable To Cross-Border Poaching Of Business
Chrysler Boosts Discounts To $5,566 Per Car
Supreme Court to hear freelance writers' settlement
| Technology
|
Bad Economy Causes Two Queens, NY Hospitals To Close Doors, Lay Off 2,500 Employees
PC shipments to sink record 12 percent in 2009: Gartner
| Technology
|
'Death With Dignity' Law Goes Into Effect This Week In Washington State
Economic Stimulus Package Includes $1.1 Billion For Comparative Effectiveness Research On Medical Treatments
Lancet study: Fire a major killer of Indian women
Bangladesh deploys army to catch mutineers
Seven people killed in Taipei hotel blaze
India sets dates for April-May general election
NKorea: US must cancel military drill with South
India says national elections to be held in April
Jonas Brothers hit flat note at box office
| Entertainment
|
Fire-related injuries major killer of Indian women
Tajikistan eases electricity rationing
Philippines Army ready to rescue hostages
Sri Lankan forces fight off rebel naval attack
Japan's car sales plunge
Bumper YSL sale shows art can be as good as gold
NZ economy to resume growth in 2009/10-forecaster
China not demanding immediate return of Taiwan art
Pakistani stocks end lower on political uncertainty
US TV shows give Iranians a friendlier view
Chinese man bids but won't pay for looted bronzes
US mafia goodfellas bid their long goodbye
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea sells dlrs, pulls won back from 11-yr low
Pakistan eyes rate cut, sees sharp fall in inflation
South Korean won drops to 11-year low
'Unbridled greed' to blame for economic woes: Malaysian PM
Muslim nations seek closer ties in economic crisis
Indonesians face jail under tighter polygamy rules
Britain Charges More For Burial Of Corpse Of Obese People
More American Fathers Take Active Role In PTAs
'Death With Dignity' Law Goes Into Effect In Washington State
Bad Economy Causes Two Queens, NY Hospitals To Close Doors, Lay Off 2,500 Employees
Michigan Mom With Two Wombs Delivers Twins
Filipino WWII Vets Dying While Waiting For U.S. Benefits
Philippines Launch Cops In G-Strings To Assist Tourists
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights