suspicious. Tell a whopper and
they fall at your feet.

Arak and Natanz

Events took a dangerous turn in August 2002 when an Iranian
opposition group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI),
staged a press conference in Washington DC and reported the existence
of two previously unknown nuclear facilities in Iran. The first,
located at Arak, 150 kilometers south of Tehran, is believed to be a
plant for manufacturing heavy-water. The other, at Natanz, about 100
kilometers north of Esfahan, is probably a uranium-enrichment
facility. Neither is operational yet--both are under construction.
Satellite photoanalysis of the Natanz site shows that part of the
facility is being constructed below ground, and hardened with thick
concrete walls. (Click here
for photos and commentary)

Days later, Iranian officials acknowledged the sites. They also
announced long-range plans for a complete nuclear fuel cycle. The
Iranians, in otherthe Apartheid years Israel engaged in
massive nuclear commerce with Pretoria, with effects that were felt
throughout southern Africa. The alliance included trade in uranium,
transfers of weapons technology, and cooperation in staging at least
one joint nuclear test--for which Israel has never been held
accountable. (See my book Dimona the Third Temple, 1989, chapters four
and five) The relationship flourished for more than a decade. And
though it did not survive the dissolution of Apartheid, the Israeli
government simply shifted venues. India became the latest partner of
convenience. By the year 2000 Israelís nuclear commerce with India
reportedly reached $500 million per year. (Yossi Melman, "India's
Visiting strongman Wants to Expand Nuclear Cooperation with
Israel," Ha'aretz, June 16, 2000)

The relationship with India has continued to expand, and is surely
causing grave concerns in Islamabad. If the recent reports are correct
that