AFP: Negotiators from Iran and the European Union met Wednesday in Geneva on Tehran’s nuclear program, with Iran flatly refusing to accede to the Europeans’ key demand that it abandon uranium enrichment, a fuel process which can also make atom bombs.
EU and Iran flatly disagree as they meet on Iranian nuclear program
Briton accused of illegal transfer of technology to Iran detained
AFP: Polish police have detained a British citizen of Iranian origin wanted on an international arrest warrant on suspicion
of trying to bring an experimental US plane to Iran, authorities said here Wednesday. Ali Asghar Manzarpour “is accused of trying to export to Iran in 2004 an experimental Berkut 360 plane bought in the United States,” Maciej Kujawski, spokesman at the Warsaw prosecutor’s office, told AFP.
U.S. Scholar, Barred by Iran, Suspends Amity Bid
New York Times: An American scholar who was instrumental in getting the head of the Library of Congress invited to Iran for an official conference in November has suspended his own five-year effort to build bridges between the two countries after he and a colleague were turned away at the Tehran airport in separate incidents last month.
Feds investigate claim that Iranian detainee was beaten
AP: Federal authorities have launched an investigation into allegations that a guard beat one of four Iranian brothers who have been detained for more than three years at an
immigration detention center, authorities said.
US seeks action against Iran after nuclear talks impasse
AFP: The United States called on the international community Tuesday to consider possible actions against Iran following its reluctance in talks with the European Union to drop its sensitive nuclear activities. The State Department said the only way for Iran to address concerns over its nuclear program was to agree to a permanent halt in uranium enrichment — a fuel process which can assist in the operation of nuclear power stations but also produces material for nuclear weapons.
Imprisoned Iranian Pastor may Face Death Penalty
Christian Today: A military court in Iran has sentenced Christian pastor Hamid Pourmand to jail for three years and has ordered his immediate transfer to a group prison cell in Tehrans notorious Evin Prison a move denounced by international Christian human rights groups. According to Compass Direct, the former army colonel and Assemblies of God lay pastor, who was arrested last September and
detained in unknown location, was charged with deceiving the Iranian armed forces about his religion.
Iran Tells EU to Back Down as Nuclear Talks Resume
Reuters: Iranian officials Tuesday threatened to break off negotiations with France, Britain and Germany if the three European Union heavyweights continue to insist that Tehran abandon all sensitive atomic activities. European officials began a new round of talks with Iranian negotiators in Geneva aimed at working out a permanent resolution to the standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, which Washington says is a front to build atomic weapons.
Iran and EU resume crucial nuclear talks
AFP: Negotiators from Iran and the European Union resumed key technical talks Tuesday in the Swiss city of Geneva on Iran’s controversial nuclear policy, a source close to the talks said. The confidential talks, involving diplomats and experts from Britain, France and Germany, as well as Iran, are due to last three days, the diplomat added.
Iran: Dissident Wins Award for Besieged Writers
Human Rights Watch: The Iranian author Taqi Rahmani, who has spent a total of 17 years in prison, was awarded a Hellman/Hammett grant for persecuted writers, Human Rights Watch said today. Each year, Human Rights Watch awards Hellman/Hammett grants to writers targeted for expressing views that the government opposes, for criticizing government officials or actions or for writing on topics that the government does not want reported.
Germany Optimistic on Iran Nuclear Talks
Reuters: German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Monday the United States backed EU efforts to persuade Iran to give up nuclear fuel production and he was optimistic talks with Tehran would succeed. Britain, France and Germany are leading European diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran to scrap uranium enrichment, which can be used to make nuclear bombs, in return for trade and other benefits.
