The history of PDKI, and the Kurdisch Republic

Today we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the PDKI.

The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) was founded in Mahabad, Iran, in August 16, 1945. The PDKI actually replaced the " Komalay Ziyanaway Kurd " (Council of Kurdish Resurrection) which had been formed three years earlier. Just 159 days after its foundation, i.e. in January 22, 1946, the Party, availing itself of expedient circumstances in a section of Iranian Kurdistan, established the " Republic of Kurdistan ", usually referred to by historians as the " Republic of Mahabad ", the reason being its choice of Mahabad as the capital. The " Republic of Mahabad " lasted not more than 11 months. Following a pact signed by the Iranian central government and the ex-Soviet Union, the Iranian army launched a vast offensive into the region, destroying the " Republic " in December 1946. The " Republic " having collapsed, a great number of PDKI leaders were imprisoned, of whom 20 people including Qazi Mohammad, head of the Party and president of the Republic, M.-Hossein Seyfi-Qazi, minister of Defense, and Abulghassem Sadri-Qazi, a member of the Iranian Parliament from Mahabad, were hanged in the capital of the Republic, and the others in Saqez and Buckan.In less than two years after the collapse of the Republic, the PDKI started its political and organizational activities anew, striking roots in most parts of Iranian Kurdistan, which was due mainly to the Kurdish people's desire to join the struggle aimed at fulfilling the Party's aspirations and reviving the honor of the Republic of Kurdistan.Following the collapse of Dr. Mossadegh's government in 1953, when democratic rights and freedoms of the peoples throughout Iran were suppressed, the PDKI's activities came almost to a standstill. A great number of Party activists were either imprisoned or went underground, though they resumed their activities after a very short time. Two widespread police raids against the Party in 1959 and 1964 dealt heavy blows to its organization : some 300 Party activists were imprisoned, with an even greater number hiding away or fleeing Iran. Nevertheless, not having sunk into despair, the Party embarked on the task of reviving its organization.Its activities picked up such a speed that in 1967-68, a large number of its members and high ranking cadres started an armed insurrection - lasting 18 months - against the Shah's regime, a glorious deed which struck horror into the ruling circles. But as this armed movement lacked a safe rear zone, the Shah's regime managed somehow to crush it.The Kurdish people in Iranian Kurdistan and the PDKI played an active part in the Iranian people's uprising against the Shah's dictatorship. A group of PDKI leaders who were living in exile either in neighboring countries or in Europe, returned to Iran before the collapse of the monarchy, actively participating in the uprising of the Kurdish people and assuming the status of leadership in the movement.The uprising of the Iranian peoples having succeeded, the PDKI declared its public activities in a meeting held in Mahabad which was attended by representatives from all parts of Iranian Kurdistan. Despite the Party's sincere endeavors to settle its differences over the democratic rights and freedoms of the Kurdish people peacefully with the newly established regime in Tehran, the rulers in Tehran took no account of the responsible efforts made by the PDKI. Instead, following the " fatwa "issued by ayatollah Khomeini against the Kurdish people, the Iranian armed forces ruthlessly embarked on a widespread offensive against the Kurdish population, shelling and bombing villages and towns of Kurdistan. The PDKI had to resort to armed resistance, a valiant deed which, despite all ebbs and flows, has been going on till today. On 13 July 1989, Dr. Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou, Secretary-general of the PDKI, and two of his collaborators, were assassinated in Vienna (Austria) as they were negotiating with envoys of the Iranian regime, at the latter's invitation, for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue in Iran. Dr. Ghassemlou's successor, Dr. Sadegh Sharafkandi met with the same fate on 17 September 1992 in Berlin where he had attended the Congress of the Socialist International. They all were victims of Iranian State terrorism.The PDKI has held 13 congresses. The 1st congress was convened in 1945, the 2nd in 1964, the 3rd in 1971, the 4th in 1980, the 5th in 1982, the 6th in 1984, the 7th in 1985, the 8th in 1988, the 9th in 1992, the 10th in 1995, the 11th in 1997, the 12th Congress in 2000 and the 13th Congress in 2004.During the 20th Congress of the Socialist International held in the UN headquarters in New York (9-11September 1996), the PDKI was given the status of observer member. The highest body of the PDKI is its Central Committee composed of 21 permanent and 10 substitute members. The Central Committee has chosen 7 of its members as the Political Bureau, which include the Secretary-general and his assistant.
Main principles :
1- PDKI is the pioneer party of the people of Iranian Kurdistan, and together with the progressive forces all over Iran struggles to safeguard Iran’s independence, and establish a democratic regime in Iran to obtain the rights of the Kurdish people in Iranian Kurdistan to self-determination.
2- The long-term objective of PDKI is to establish a democratic socialist society.
3- The strategic motto of PDKI is the establishment of a democratic federal Iran and the attainment of Kurdish national rights in Iranian Kurdistan.
4- PDKI considers the oppressed nationalities of Iran as its strategic allies, and supports their national struggle to attain their national rights.
5- Support for the national-democratic struggle of Kurdish people in other parts of Kurdistan is the leading principle of PDKI.
6- PDKI supports the liberation struggle of all the people of the world, and supports peace and friendship of the people in all the countries.

Hama's Drawing

Hand Drawing by A Jung Kurdisch Talent Hama Kader. Hama Kader

Politieagent en tientallen koerden omgekomen in een beschieting

Politieagent en tientallen koerden omgekomen in een beschieting

Teheran. Een politieagent en tientallen Koerdische separatisten zijn omgekomen tijdens een beschieting in de recente opstanden bij de grenzen van bergachtig westen, zei een politie woordvoeder gisteren.

De politie agenten bejaagden Koerdische vrijheidstrijders van een separatistische groep genaamd, Pjak, die vier kameraden hadden gekidnapt, toen ze onder vuur genomen werden, voegde de woordvoerder aan toe. De vier gekidnapte collega’s zijn nog steeds in gevangenhouding.

“Een politieagent kwam om bij een beschieting terwijl hij trachtte de andere collega’s te redden. Een paar Pjak strijders kwamen om bij die beschieting maar we weten het exacte aantal niet ”, zei de woordvoerder.

Spanningen nemen toe tussen de Koerden en het Iraanse leger. De opstand begon vorige maand in de Koerdische stand Mahabad nadat de Koerdische activist Shwane Qaderi gemarteld, beschoten en vermoord werd en daarna met een auto door de straten van de stad werd geslingerd om de Koerden angst aan te jagen. De opstand heeft zich verspreid over de hele provincie Kordestan en bereikte zelfs Ahwas. Bij de opstand zijn er tot nu toe 70 mensen omgekomen, 300 gewond en meer dan 1500 gevangen genomen en waarschijnlijk gemarteld.

Veiligheid experts zeggen dat Pjak een Iranese vleugel van de Koerdische arbeiders partij PKK is, die vecht tegen het Turkse leger en veel invloed heeft in zuidoost Turkije.

Iranese officials zeggen dat de recente opstanden geen etnische motivatie heeft, Koerdische leiders echter zeggen dat de opstand het antwoord is op de ongelijke behandeling en discriminatie van de Koerden en etnische groepen vanuit Teheran.

Een recent rapport van de verenigde naties suggereert dat de huidige regering van Iran de etnische groepen in Iran discrimineert en achterstelt op basisvoorzieningen, van de rest van het land.

De organisatie, journalisten zonder grens bekritiseerde de Iranese autoriteiten op het sluiten van de hoofdkantoren van de Koerdische kranten Asou en Ashti.

Oosterijkse autoriteiten onderzoeken of de Iranse president Ahmadinijhad betrokken is bij de aanslag op de Koerdische PDKI leider Dr.Abdul Rahman Qasmlu, en twee andere Koerdische leiders, in Vienna, in 1989.

Het Iranese bevolking vertegenwoordigt 7 miljoen Koerden, die voornamelijk in het Noorwesten wonen, grenzend aan Irak en Turkije, landen waar het Koerdische volk ook deel uit maken.

Bron: The Peninsula

Kurdistan, Iran en Amerika

Bij de recente opstanden is Oost-Kurdistan, Rojhalat werd een ding duidelijk; Wij staan er alleen voor. De wereld negeert ons, Amerika negeert ons, en de Koerdisch partijen in Zuid-Kurdistan steunen ons niet.

Niemand steunt de Rojhalaties in hun streven naar gelijke behandeling en vrijheid voor kurdistan. De Zuid-Kurdistaanse politieke partij PUK heeft een verdrag met Iran getekent waarin staat dat PDKI en Komalla geen operaties mogen uitvoeren vanuit Zuid-Kurdistan. Dit is een verdrag dat getekend is door de Irakese president Mam Jalal.We kunnen niet meer rekenen op hulp van onze peshmerga’s. De Amerikaanse president J.W.Bush.heeft bewezen een man van woorden te zijn en niet van daden.

Hoe het nu verder moet in Rojhalat is een moeilijk vraag. De wereld en de internationale media negeren de Koerdische kwestie en de recente opstand in Rojhalat in zo’n erge mate dat er na een maand van opstand nog geen 1 zender erover heeft bericht.

De Koerden in Rojhalat zijn van alle kanten omsingeld door Hisbulla, Iranese Militairen en Agenten. Op steun uit Zuid Kurdistan moeten we niet rekenen en het blijft de vraag of Amerika echt ons wil helpen. De recente gebeurtenissen konden als een van de redenen gebruikt worden om Iran aan te vallen, maar blijkbaar vrezen de Amerikanen voor Iraanse (olie) sancties.

Op dit moment kampt Amerika met een probleem die ze op korte of lange duur op moeten lossen. Het probleem is de Islamitische Republiek van Iran, die de mensenrechten schend, De volkeren van Iran en het Koerdische volk onderdrukt, terroristen opleidt, Hamas en Hisbolla financiert, en verantwoordelijk is voor de onrust in zijn buurlanden zoals Irak.

Analisten voorspellen dat Iran over 4 maanden over de technologie beschikt om een atoombom te maken. Het is geen geheim dat Iran zonder harde sancties met de huidige programma binnen 5 jaar nucleaire wapens kan creëren.

Vroeg of laat moet Amerika een keus maken, voor een militaire acties kiezen waarbij Iran olie sancties zal gebruiken, of afwachten totdat de grootste terroristen op de wereld op een A-Bomb beschikt. Het eerste optie zal geen slachtoffers opleveren.

KDPI Secretary General letter to the UN and EU

10 August 2005 KDPI
KDPI Secretary General letter to Mr. Koffi Annan, Secretary General of United Nations Koy Sanjaq – Kurdistan August 8, 2005 Your Excellency, Mr. Koffi A. Annan, Secretary General of United Nations We would like to draw your attention to the recent peaceful demonstrations by Kurds in Iran within the last few weeks on the anniversary of our late leader Dr. Abdulrahman Ghassemelou’s assassination, and to protest against the election of Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad as the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Islamic Republic of Iran assassinated Ghassemelou on 13th July 1989 in Vienna, and there are strong indications that Ahmadi Nejad had a vital role in our leader’s assassination.

Unfortunately, the security guards of Islamic Republic of Iran, who use oppressive means against Kurds and spill blood in Kurdish cities, violently cracked-down on the peaceful demonstrations of Kurds in Iranian Kurdistan. Dozens of protesters have been killed due to the excessive force of the various security forces against demonstrators. Listed below are the names of some of the victims who have been killed by armed forces during the last few weeks:

1. Sayed Kamal Asfaram, 2. Omar Amini, 3. Bayzid Mairoufi, 4. Mrs. Jamileh Khezri, 5. Mrs. Hakimeh Sour, 6. Loghman Nasrollahi, 7. Mohammad Shariati, 8. Ababs Ramazani, 9. Hosein Ramazani, 10. Farzad Mohammadi, 11. Shadman Mohammadi, 12. Hossein Abdi.

Furthermore, over 300 people have been injured so far, and several hundred have also been arrested, who have been relocated to unknown detention centers, and may indeed have been tortured or ill-treated. So far, four bodies have been handed back to their families in the city of Mahabad, with clear indications that they had been tortured.

Currently, all the Kurdish provinces - West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah and Ilam - are under martial law. The security forces do not hesitate to use live ammunition on the civilian population. Medical staffs are not allowed to treat the injured people, who are mostly kept in custody for interrogation. As a result, most people are too frightened to take their wounded family members to hospitals for treatment. Usually, the families, for fear of further persecution and maltreatment, do not claim the bodies back from the authorities. Gatherings of more than two are also prohibited in public places. The people of Kurdistan are not allowed to travel, not even to visit family or friends. The security of life and Kurds’ properties are also under threat on daily basis.

The Kurdish people are disappointed to see the disregard of international community to the human rights violations against them. The Islamic Republic of Iran has been condemned over 20 times by the UN Commission on Human Rights, yet there are no improvements in the government’s treatment of Kurds and other minorities. The recent cruelties against the peaceful demonstrations in the Kurdish cities is further material evidence of this regime’s brutality against Kurds.

The Kurds, under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, have long struggled for freedom, democracy and the safeguarding of the rights of different ethnic and religious minorities in Iran, within a democratic and decentralized framework. It is rather unfortunate that the struggle of all the Iranian people are forgotten and allowed to be victims of the state.

Regarding the recent events in Iranian Kurdistan, we urge the United Nations to take these immediate actions:

- A UN delegation of Human Rights commission to visit Iran and Kurdistan to investigate recent events in Kurdistan

- The release of all the people detained by the Islamic Republic of Iran during the recent protests

- The injured people to be given treatment without any fear of detention or torture

- An independent inquiry to be launched, led by the UN, to investigate the recent killings and crackdown of peaceful protesters

For the sake of protecting the civilian Kurdish population and to bring stability to the region, these are the least actions we expect the United Nations and its human rights body to take.

We look forward to seeing the United Nations’ urgent actions.

Yours sincerely,

Mustafa Hejri Secretary

General Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan

c.c.: United Nations Commission on Human Rights


KDPI Secretary General letter to the leaders of the European Community

We would like to attract your attention to the current peaceful protests by civilian Kurds in Iran, and the atrocities of the Islamic Republic against them. The people of the City of Mahabad closed their shops and did not attend offices, instead organizing a peaceful demonstration to mark the 16th anniversary of the assassination of their leader, late Dr. Abdulrahman Ghasmelou. The protest was also against the election of Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad as the president of the Islamic Republic and to condemn the brutal killing of a young Kurd, Shwane Asfaram, on the 9th of July, 2005, who was ill treated, pulled behind a car and killed under torture.

Dr Ghasmelou was assassinated by the Islamic Republic of Iran on 13th July 1989 in Vienna, and it is believed that Ahmadi Nejad had a vital role in his assassination. In fact, it was reported that he was present at the scene of the assassination. Dr Ghasmelou was invited by the Iranian authorities to negotiate and find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue in Iran.

In these protests, the Islamic security guards opened fire on peaceful demonstrations, which left numerous dead, and a substantial number of demonstrators were detained and later mistreated and tortured in detention. At least four of the detainees were killed under torture, whose bodies were handed over to their families.

Over the last four weeks the cities of Kurdistan have been heavily suppressed, and at least 20 people have been killed so far and dozens injured by the security forces. The condition of some of the wounded people is critical. Hundreds of Kurds have been arrested and are facing humiliation and torture. In addition, the population suffered financially, as the businesses were closed. Now, essential supplies are very limited.

The Kurdish people expected the civilized European democratic countries to take effective action against the atrocities of the Islamic Republic, who suppressed the peaceful demonstration and violated their basic human rights.

We believe that the silent policy of the European countries on the crimes of the Islamic Republic of Iran against the Kurdish people and other Iranian ethnic groups contradicts the very principles of democracy and human rights that the EU promotes and adheres to.

We therefore urge you in parallel of nuclear negotiations with the Islamic Republic to pay attention to the following appeals:

- An independent delegation to be sent to Iran to visit Iran and Kurdistan of Iran to investigate the recent events in Kurdistan

- The regime of Iran to be condemned for her crimes against the Kurdish people during recent weeks.

- The regime of Iran to be pressured in order to release all the arrested people during the last weeks in Kurdistan and their economic losses to be recovered

- An inquiry by Iran into the current events leading to killers and torturers of current events in Kurdistan under observation of the EC.

Yours sincerely,

Mustafa Hejri
Secretary General Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan

War on Iran

This is this is the evidence that America will strike Iran within 2 to 5 years.

Iran: Nuclear Chronology
This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases, we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.

January 2002 Iran prepays a Russian company, Kolomensky Zavod, $2 million for five emergency diesel generator plants, at least some of which are for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. [Note: See 11 February 2002.] --"Russia: Moscow Region Firm to Supply Emergency Units for Iran's Nuclear Plant," Agentstvo Voyennykh Novostey (Moscow), 11 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020211000087, 11 February 2002.

3 January 2002 Intelligence Newsletter reports that there are three military nuclear facilities in Iran: the Amriabad laboratory, built in 1967 and upgraded by the United States in 1970 and 1974; in Karaj, 45km west of Tehran; and in Moallem Kalayeh, which reportedly has a 40MW reactor. The report also says that 300 Iranian nuclear experts are being trained around the world, mostly in Russia. --"Will Tehran Master Nuclear Bomb Technology By 2005?," Intelligence Newsletter,

3 January 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .
7 January 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, the Russian atomic energy minister, says that Russia will respect its agreements with Iran and will complete the nuclear reactor in Bushehr by 2004. He adds that the Bushehr project is similar to other projects Russia has carried out in China and India and that it is for purely peaceful purposes. Former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani says that Iran has never been interested in acquiring nuclear weapons. -- "Russia Pledges to Continue Iranian Nuke Project," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 8,

7 January 2002; Vladimir Isachenkov, "Russia Will Complete Reactor Deal with Iran and Is Considering Tentative Request From North Korea," Associated Press, 27 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis .
8 January 2002 Former Iranian President Hashemi-Rafsanjani says "Iran is not seeking to arm itself with non-conventional weapons." [Note: See 14 December 2001 for a statement by Rafsanjani regarding nuclear arms.] --"Daily Defends Iran's Right to Access Nuclear Technology for Peaceful Purposes," Tehran Times (Tehran), 8 January 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020108000047, 8 January 2002.

9 January 2002 The press secretary of the Iranian embassy in Azerbaijan, Ezzatollah Jalalim denies Iran has nuclear weapons, saying, "Tehran has never and will never try to acquire nuclear weapons from other countries as Iran itself is capable of solving this problem relying on its own resources if the need should arise." --"Iranian Envoy In Azerbaijan Denies Tehran Has Nuclear Weapons," MPA (Baku), 9 January 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020109000141, 9
January 2002.

10 January 2002 Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations, Hadi Najad-Hosseinian, writes a letter to the UN Secretary-General denying an Israeli statement that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons. --"Iran: UN Envoy Rejects Israeli Allegation Of Seeking To Obtain Nuclear Arms," Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran Network 1 (Tehran), 10 January 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020110000022, 10 January 2002.

25 January 2002 Middle East Newsline reports that the United States is trying to prevent Russia from selling a second reactor to Iran. --"US Seeks to Stop Second Russian Nuke reactor in Iran," Middle East Newsline, 25 January 2002, .
30 January 2002 The new Russian ambassador to Iran, Aleksandr Maryasov, denies that Russia is helping Iran acquire nuclear weapons. "What America and Israel are alleging is not true since we have never cooperated in the production of nuclear arms," he says. "These countries are only making baseless allegations. We should ignore these allegations," --"Iran: Russian Envoy on Afghanistan, Terrorism, US, Israel, Nuclear Power Plant," IRNA (Tehran), 30 January 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020206000065, 30 January 2002.

31 January 2002 Efraim Sneh, Israeli minister of transportation calls for sanctions against Iran so it will not have money to build nuclear arms. "The most important and maybe the most urgent thing," he says, "is to urge the Russian to stop the technological assistance, and especially for the Iranian nuclear project." --Steve Weizman, "Israeli Minister Urges US To Pressure Russia To Stop Helping Iran Develop Nuclear Arms," Associated Press, 31 January 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

Late January 2002 The CIA issues a report that says Iran "remains one of the most active countries seeking to acquire (weapons of mass destruction and advanced conventional weapons) technology from abroad....In doing so, Tehran is attempting to develop a domestic capability to produce various types of weapons--chemical, biological, nuclear--and their delivery systems." --George Gedda, "US Says Iran Making Headway on Nuclear Weapons Program," Associated Press, 11 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

1 February 2002 Hasan Ruhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, says Iran is not building nuclear arms and that the International Atomic Energy Agency can investigate American allegations. --"Iran: Secretary of Security Council Says Bush Has No Proof For Remarks On Iran," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 1 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

2 February 2002 Aleksandr Losyukov, deputy Russian foreign minister, says the United States should not pressure Russia against helping Iran build the Bushehr nuclear power plant. "We have very clear instructions from the Russian leadership," he says, "to conduct cooperation within the framework of the existing international restricting regimes....One should have no ground to object against our contacts with Iran either in the political or trade and economic spheres." --"Russia Will Tolerate No Outside Pressure In Its Dealings With Iran--Official," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 2 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

3 February 2002 Russian intelligence sources say Iranian scientists being trained at the NIKIET Institute in Russia are acquiring knowledge that can used for Iran's nuclear weapons program. "They are here unofficially and have been told to keep as low a profile as possible," says the Russian intelligence source. "They are being taught and are gaining experience they cannot get at home. It is hardly a secret that the Iranians are in a race to develop nuclear weapons." --Sarah Baxter, Uzi Mahnaimi, Mark Franchetti, "Bush Trains His Military Sights on the Iran-Iraq 'Axis of Evil'," Sunday Times (London), 3 February 2002, in "Efforts to Cement Coalition Threatened by US Inclusion of Iran in Axis of Evil," FBIS Document EUP20020203000066, 3 February 2002.

4 February 2002 Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov says Russia will not limit its military or technical cooperation with Iran, including construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. "The construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr meets all commitments that Russia has undertaken to the global community," he says. "I think I should mention that the United States is building a similar nuclear power plant in North Korea." --"Russian Defense Minister Defends Technical Aid For Iranian Nuclear Power Station," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 4 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

4 February 2002 Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani says if Israel attacks the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Israel "will receive a response, which no politician in Israel can even imagine." Asked if he means a nuclear response, Shamkhani says no, but says "actions will speak." He denies that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons or that Russia is supplying Iran with parts to enrich uranium. --"Interview With Iranian Defense Minister on Terrorism Charges, Nuclear Program," Al-Jazirah Satellite Channel Television (Doha), 5 February 2002; in FBIS Document GMP20020206000187, 5 February 2002.

5 February 2002 A senior Israeli defense source says, "We cannot live with nuclear weapons in Iran....We prevented the Iraqis in the past and we can also prevent them." --"'Senior Defense Source:' Israel 'Can Prevent' Nuclear Weapons in Iran," Ynet (Tel Aviv), 5 February 2002; in FBIS Document GMP20020206000124, 5 February 2002.

5 February 2002 Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani says it is not in Iran's interest to acquire nuclear weapons. "The presence of nuclear weapons with us," he says, "will turn us into a source of threat for others, which could be seriously exploited to harm our relations with the countries in the region." --"Iranian Defense Minister Shamkhani on Nuclear Weapons, US Military Presence, Other Issues," Al-Sharq al-Awsat (London), 5 February 2002; in FBIS Document GMP20020205000045, 5 February 2002.

5 February 2002 Ali Shamkhani, the Iranian Defense Minister, warns Israel against attacking the nuclear plant in Bushehr. He adds that the retaliation to such an act will be unimaginable. He also dismisses reports that Iran received shipment of enriched uranium-235 from Russia. --"Interview With Iranian Defense Minister on Terrorism Charges, Nuclear Program," Al Jazirah Satellite Channel (Doha), 5 February 2002; in FBIS document GMP20020206000187, 5 February 2002; "Iran: Us presence in Afghanistan a 'threat'," Deutsch Presse-Agentur 6 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

6 February 2002 CIA Director George Tenet testifies before a Senate hearing that Iran may be able to make enough fissile material for a bomb by 2010 or much sooner if Iran were to get fissile material elsewhere. --George Gedda, "US Says Iran Making Headway on Nuclear Weapons Program," Associated Press, 11 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

6 February 2002 Kamal Kharazi, the Iranian foreign minister, rejects allegations that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons. --"Iran Says US Allegations Have Roots in Domestic Problems," IRNA (Tehran), 6 February 2002, .
6 February 2002 The Sunday Times reports that the Russian Research and Planning Institute for Power Supply Technologies (NIKIET) is training a handful of Iranian engineers in technologies that can be used for the production of nuclear weapons. --Sarah Baxter and Mark Franchetti, "Russia, Iran run N-School Exchange," Sunday Times (London), 6 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis http://ww.lexis-nexis.com.

7 February 2002 Gholam Reza Shafei, Iran's ambassador to Russia, rejects the US accusations that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. He adds that the Iranian-Russian agreement has no military dimension and that the International Atomic Energy Agency regularly visits the Bushehr reactor. --"IRNA: Envoy Rejects US Claims on Iran Seeking Nuclear Weapons," IRNA (Tehran), 7 February 2002; in FBIS document IAP20020207000091; 7 February 2002, "Russia: Iranian Envoy Denies Iran Intends to Develop, Purchase Nuclear Arms," Interfax (Moscow), 7 February 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020207000105, 8 February 2002.
7 February 2002 Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says Israel should not strike Iran's nuclear program, but should act through diplomatic channels and economic pressure to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, which he says could happen in 2005. --"Ben-Eliezer Opposes Preemptive Military Strike On Iran's Nuclear Program Targets," Voice of Israel Network B (Jerusalem), 7 February 2002; in FBIS Document GMP20020207000204,

7 February 2002.
8 February 2002 George Tenet, head of the CIA, says that Iran might be able to "produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon by the end of this decade...Obtaining material from outside could cut years from this estimate." John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org says that there is no evidence that Iran is building a reprocessing facility to produce weapon-grade plutonium. --John Diamond, "Israel: Iran Could Have Nuclear Arms in 5 Years, Defense Minister Calls Nation 'Twin' of Hussein's Iraq," Chicago Tribune, 8 February 2002.

11 February 2002 The Kolomensky Zavod holding company begins building diesel emergency power plants for the Bushehr nuclear power plant. According to the contract signed by Atomstroyeksport JSC [joint stock company], Iran will get four DGU6200 diesel generator plants, each including two 15-9DG diesel generators, plus one DGU-3100 plant, including one 15-9DG diesel generator. It is not clear if all the plants are destined for Bushehr. The plants, whose generators can each provide 3,100KW of electricity, are for emergency cooling of a nuclear reactor in an emergency, plus emergency power for the nuclear plant. Each diesel generator cost $700,000, and Iran has prepaid $2 million for the order in January 2002. The first diesel plant is to be delivered this year. [Note: See 3 January 2002.] --"Russia: Moscow Region Firm to Supply Emergency Units for Iran's Nuclear Plant," Agentstvo Voyennykh Novostey (Moscow), 11 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020211000087, 11 February 2002.

14 February 2002 Valeriy Lebedev, Russian deputy minister of atomic energy, says spent Russian nuclear fuel from Russian-built plants abroad will be returned to Russia. He says Russia is committed to finishing the Bushehr nuclear power plant in late 2004 or early 2005. --"Russian to Take Back Spent Fuel from Nuclear Stations Abroad," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 14 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020214000089, 14 February 2002; "Official: Russia Committed to Completing Nuclear Reactor In Iran," Associated Press, 14 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

15 February 2002 US Vice President Dick Cheney says Iran is developing weapons of mass destruction. --"Russia Interested in Closer Ties with Iran--Radio," BBC Monitoring International Reports, 16 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .
15 February 2002 Interfax reports that Kamal Kharazi, the Iranian foreign minister, will visit Moscow for a two-day visit starting 18 February 2002. The negotiations with Russian officials will focus on weapons of mass destruction, among other issues. --"Iranian Foreign Minister To Visit Russia Next Week," Interfax (Moscow), 15 February 2002; in FBIS document Russia: Iranian Foreign Minister to Pay 2-day Visit to Moscow 18 Feb," CEP20020215000207, 19 February 2002.

17 February 2002 Igor Ivanov, the Russian foreign minister, says that Moscow and Tehran are following a peaceful collaboration in the use of nuclear energy. --"Nuclear Cooperation Peaceful," Iran Daily (Tehran), 17 February 2002; in FBIS document IAP20020216000097, 17 February 2002.

18 February 2002 Viktor Kozlov, director general of Atomstroyeksport, says Russia and Iran are discussing building another nuclear power plant in Iran, and that Russian has given Iran a feasibility study of possible locations. [Note: See 4 September 2001.] --"Russia In Talks On Building Another Nuclear Power Plant In Iran," Interfax (Moscow), 18 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020218000056, 18 February 2002.
19 February 2002 Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi postpones a visit to Russia for "technical reasons." Among other issues, he was to discuss Russian nuclear cooperation with Iran. --Dina Pyanykh and Dmitry Vinitsky, "Iran FM Visit To Moscow Postponed "For Technical Reasons," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 19 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

19 February 2002 At a press conference following meetings with Russian officials in Moscow, John Bolton, US undersecretary of state, says he expressed US concerns over Russian nuclear cooperation with Iran. He says the two sides have differences over the issue and that is important the two sides come to an understanding. He says US President George Bush is very concerned about proliferation. Bolton says the United States will not compensate Russia if it were to give up construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant or halt conventional arms sales to Iran. --"USA Concerned Over Russian-Iranian Cooperation--Russian Paper," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 20 February 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .
20 February 2002 The Middle East Newsline reports that Russian and Iranian officials cannot agree on the transfer of at least three additional nuclear reactors and other nuclear technology. Western diplomatic sources believe that this disagreement stands behind the delay of the visit of Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Kamal Kharazi to Moscow. Russian officials confirmed that Mr. Kharazi did not arrive in Moscow amid disagreement over some issues. Iran has complained after Russia decided to postpone the completion of the Bushehr nuclear reactor to 2005 instead of 2003 as initially agreed upon. Yet, Victor Kozlov, director-general of Atomstroyesksport, the company building the Bushehr nuclear reactor, says that his company has sent a feasibility study for new nuclear reactors in Iran. --"Iran, Russia Fall Out Over Nuke Program," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 72, 20 February 2002, http://www.menl.com.

21 February 2002 Valery Lebedev, Russian deputy atomic energy minister, says that Moscow plans to complete the construction of the Bushehr nuclear plant by late 2004 or 2005. He reiterates that Russia will not cancel its contract with Iran despite US pressure. --"Iran's Nuclear Reactor Again Set Back," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4 No 74, 21 February 2002, http://www.menl.com.

21 February 2002 Amin Tarzi, a senior analyst at the Center of Nonproliferation Studies, says, "The Iranian nuclear program is in shambles and the people who read all the intelligence know that." --Scott Peterson, "Iran's Nuclear Challenge: Deter, not Antagonize," Christian Science Monitor, 21 February 2002, http://www.csmonitor.cm.

25 February 2002 The Canadian Security Intelligence Service issues a report that says Iran is determined to acquire nuclear weapons and, according to US military and intelligence sources, has tried to develop the capability to enrich uranium by buying parts from Western European companies. --Stewart Ball, "'Axis' Harbours Nuclear Plan: CSIS: New Intelligence Report Says Iraq and Iran Want the Weapons 'At Earliest Opportunity'," National Post (Toronto), 26 February 2002, in "Canadian Intelligence Service Report Seen Bolstering US 'Axis of Evil' View," FBIS Document EUP20020227000171, 26 February 2002.

25 February 2002 Marianne, a weekly published in Paris, reports that the Russian minister of atomic energy has imposed severe restrictions on nuclear cooperation between Russia and Iran. The weekly adds that Russian scientists will leave Iran. Hamid Reza Asefi, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, did not challenge the veracity of these reports but refused to confirm them. --"Are Russian Specialist Leaving Bushehr Power station?," Bonyan (Tehran),

25 February 2002; in FBIS document IAP 20020224000056, 26 February 2002.

26 February 2002 Hamida Edalat, MP from Bushehr, says "it is not true that Russian experts are leaving Iran after pressures were exerted by America." She adds that "parts of executive operation that were to be handed over to Iranians according to the contract are being handed over and the Russian experts are leaving the country for this reason." Hamid Reza Asefi, spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, says there has been no change in Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation. Aleksandr Maryanov, Russian ambassador to Iran, says Russia will fulfill its obligation to build the Bushehr nuclear power plant. And "will be implementing in full all accords reached in connection with this project no matter what the prospects for expanding Russian-Iranian cooperation in the sphere of nuclear energy might be." --"Deputy Denies Russians Leaving Iran Under US Pressure," Nowruz (Tehran),

26 February 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020226000034, 26 February 2002; "Russia To Honor Its Commitments in Building Iran Nuclear Plant," RIA-Novosti (Moscow), 26 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020226000382, 26 February 2002; "Iranian FM Official: There Has Been No Change in Nuclear Coop With Moscow," IRAN (Tehran), 26 February 2002; in FBIS Document IAP20020226000098, 26 February 2002.

26 February 2002 The Iranian embassy in Georgia issues a statement denying claims by Levan Kidzinidze, former aid to Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze, that with Abashidze's help, four physicists were sent to Iran in 1995 to help Iran develop nuclear weapon. The statement calls the claims "the figment of a sick imagination." [Note: See also 1995.] --"Iran Denies Former Georgian Official's Nuclear Program Claims," Kavkasia-Press (Tbilisi), 26 February 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020226000312, 26 February 2002.

28 February 2002 The United States acknowledges that Russia has started efforts to stop the transfer of nuclear technology to Iran. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says that the Russians have punished entities involved in illicit activities with Iran. --"US Acknowledges Russia Efforts on Iran WMD," Middle East Newsline, 28 February 2002, http://www.menl.com.

March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that the facility of Chalus is located 20 kilometers south of the town bearing the same name. It is allegedly an underground nuclear weapons development facility built in the Alborz mountains. Iranian authorities tell their citizens that the facility is an electricity generation plant operated by Canadians. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002, .

March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that the Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine is located in Karaj. The center reportedly has a radiochemistry lab, dosimeter lab, a Chinese calutron and a Belgian cyclotron. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002, .
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that Iran's civilian and military nuclear programs are headquartered in Tehran. The Tehran Nuclear Research Center has a 5MW nuclear research reactor. It also has a uranium yellowcake production facility. Tehran also hosts the AEOI center for Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, which carries out research on nuclear physics and plasma physics. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin,

March/April 2002, .
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that the Nuclear Research Department at the University of Yazd carries out geological research and mining in the Saghand uranium deposits. The deposits are believed to contain 5,000 tons of uranium oxide with a U-235 content between 0.08% and 1.0%. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002, .
March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that Neka is allegedly a nuclear facility near the Caspian Sea. Reports claim that it is an underground facility. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002, .

March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that the location of the Rudan Nuclear Research Center is near the city of Shiraz. The facility is believed to focus on uranium yellowcake processing into uranium hexafluoride gas. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002, .
March 2002 Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that there are unconfirmed reports of a nuclear reactor in Tabas. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002, .

March 2002 The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin reports that Isfahan is believed to be the center of the Iranian nuclear weapons program. The Nuclear Technology Research Center at the University of Isfahan allegedly employs 3,000 scientists. Isfahan is also home of a 27KW Chinese-supplied miniaturized neutron source reactor. --Michael Rubin, "Iran's Burgeoning WMD Program," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, March/April 2002, .
3 March 2002 Russian radio reports that Iran and Russia are facing serious financial differences relevant to the construction of Bushehr nuclear power plant. The Russian Mignews Internet Agency quotes Russian diplomatic sources who say that Iran has not met its payment commitments. --"Russia and Iran Fall Out Over Nuclear Power Station," Ekho Moscovy Radio, 3 March 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020303000010, 21 June 2002.

4 March 2002 Yevgeniy Reshetnikov, Russian deputy minister of atomic energy, denies the existence of any financial problems preventing the completion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. --"Russia: Official Denies Problems of Financing Iran's Nuclear project," Interfax (Moscow), 4 March 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020304000079, 21 June 2002.
5 March 2002 Iran and Russia reject allegations that Russian nuclear scientists have withdrawn from the Bushehr nuclear plant. --"Iran, Russia firm on Nuclear Cooperation," United Press International, 5 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .

7 March 2002 Haaretz reports that China's ambassador to Israel, Pan Zhanlin, asserts that China opposes the spread of weapons of mass destruction and would punish any Chinese company exporting such technology. This statement was in response to allegations of Chinese exports of arms technology to Iran. --Gideon Alon, "China Opposes Proliferation of Nuclear Technology to Iran," Haaretz (Tel Aviv), 7 March 2002; in Gulf 2000, <http://gulf2000.columbia.edu>.

7 March 2002 Victor Kozlov, director-general of Atomstroyesksport, visits Iran to coordinate the Bushehr project. Atomstroyesksport signs contracts with Iranian subcontractors. It will soon start the installation of the already supplied material. --"Russian Nuclear Official Visits Iran to Coordinate Bushehr Project," RIA-Novosti (Moscow), 7 March 2002; in FBIS Document CEP20020307000113, 21 June 2002.

11 March 2002 Victor Kozlov, director-general of Atomstroyesksport, says that Iran will decide on the construction of a second nuclear reactor in Bushehr by the end of this year. Iran will also choose the site for two new nuclear reactors in few months. --"Iran Will Decide on Second Russian Nuclear Power Plant by Year-End," Agence France Presse, 11 March 2002, Lexis-Nexis, .

14 March 2002 UN General-Secretary Kofi Annan says there is no evidence that Iran is attempting to acquire nuclear weapons. --"Iran Commentary Says Kofi Annan Exposed False US Allegations," Financial Times, 14 March 2002, Lexis-Nexis, .
15 March 2002 Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev says that Russia will meet all the commitments to the nuclear power plant in Bushehr. --"Russian Nuclear Contract With Iran on Track, Further Ones Possible," British Broadcasting Corporation, 15 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .

18 March 2002 In response to the US announcement of its new nuclear weapons strategy targeting seven states, including Iran, and hinting about an end to the moratorium on nuclear testing, Iran writes a letter of protest to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi writes, "US threats are a flagrant violation of its commitments to the [Nuclear] Non-Proliferation Treaty and go against guarantees given by US officials." --Agence France-Presse, 18 March 2002; in Gulf 2000, <http://gulf2000.columbia.edu>.
19 March 2002 Wolfgang Hoffman, the executive secretary of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, says that legal problems have prevented Iran from sending data to the organization. [Note: See 26 March and 15 April 2002.] --"Executive Secretary 'Optimistic' US Will Stick To Nuclear Moratorium," Der Standard (Vienna), 19 March 2002; in FBIS document EUP20020319000088, 21 June 2002.

21 March 2002 Nucleonics Week reports that Majid Teymuri, director of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, has said that the plant is four months behind its timetable because of ongoing adjustments in detailed design engineering. --"Bushehr 1 Plant Changes To Fit VVER Mean Startup in Early 2004," Nucleonics Week, Vol. 43, No. 12, 21 March 2002, http://www.mhenergy.com.

21 March 2002 The US Department of Defense reports that because of tight resources and a relatively less developed technological base, Iran is not likely to produce fissile material on its own. --Yekaterina Vladimirova, "Will Russia Give Weapons Of Mass Destruction to Third World Nations?" Utro.ru (Moscow), 21 March 2002; in "Russia Exodus of Scientists Raises Proliferation Concerns," FBIS document CEP20020404000303, 5 April 2002.
26 March 2002 The Guardian of London reports that Iran has withdrawn its contribution to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization to protest against US hostility to the treaty. [Note: See 19 March and 15 April 2002.] --Julian Borger and John Gittings, The Guardian (London), 26 March 2002, .

26 March 2002 Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq reports that Iranians have transported loads of soil from Babak and Culfa districts in Azerbaijan. These regions are believed to be very rich in uranium. The newspaper reports that excavations took place at night. --"Iran smuggling Uranium From Azeri Excalve," British Broadcasting Corporation (London), 26 March 2002, Lexis-Nexis, http://ww.lexis-nexis.com.

27 March 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian atomic energy minister, says that Russia may supply nuclear fuel to Iran on the condition that the fuel be returned to Russia for reprocessing. --"Russia to Supply Nuclear Fuel to Iran on Condition of its return for reprocessing-Atomic Ministry," Interfax, 27 March 2002; in http://cnsinfo.miis.edu.

28 March 2002 Inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency find no evidence that Iran is using its nuclear reactor for military purposes. --"IAEA fails to Find Evidence of Iran's Nuclear Weapon Program," , accessed on 2 April 2002.
28 March 2002 IRNA reports that Mohammed Javad Zarif, Iran's deputy foreign minister, regrets the failure of efforts made by the international community to eliminate weapons of mass destruction and offer guaranties to non-nuclear states for their security. --"Iran Calls for Global Efforts to Secure Disarmament Success," Xinhua General News Agency (Beijing), 28 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .
28 March 2002 A Russian diplomat says that the world community does not have any solid evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. --Vladimir Suprun, "Russia Expert Sees no proof of Iran Nuke Military Program," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 28 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis http://ww.lexis-nexis.com.

29 March 2002 Ukrainian Prime Minister Anatoly Kinakh says that Ukraine had severe economic losses because it complied with the United States and did not sell nuclear reactors to Iran. Yet, it is getting nothing in return. Officials at the state-owned Turboatom say that the Ukrainian nuclear industry lost $1.5 billion because it agreed not to sell the reactor to Iran. --"Ukraine's Premier Complains of Poor US Support," Deutsch Presse-Agentur, 29 March 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .

1 April 2002 Kamal Kharazi, the Iranian foreign affairs minister, visits Moscow after his planned visit was postponed following divergence between Iran and Russia. [Note: See 18 February 2002.] This visit comes amid US pressure on Russia to stop its cooperation with Iran in the nuclear and missile fields. Mr. Kharazi is expected to discuss the completion of the Bushehr nuclear plant construction. --"Russia Receives Iranian Envoy, Faces Down US Over Nuke Plant," accessed on 2 April 2002.

2 April 2002 Alexander Kudryavtsev, Russian Atomic Energy Minister, says that despite Russian and Iranian divergence over payment schedule and technical specification, the cooperation between Iran and Russia will continue. He adds that 5,000 tons of material has been shipped to Bushehr. Iran has requested the construction of three new nuclear reactors. However, Russia has not agreed to the request yet. Iran cancelled a visit of its foreign affairs minister after Putin refused to meet with him. --"Russia Transfers equipment for Bushehr" Middle East Newsline Vol. 4, No. 123, 2 April 2002, .
4 April 2002 Kamal Kharazi, Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister, says that the cooperation agenda between Iran and Russia includes completing the construction of the nuclear power station in Bushehr. --"Russia and Iran Negotiate Completion of Nuclear Plant construction," Interfax (Moscow), 4 April 2002.

4 April 2002 Alexander Lusyukov, Russian Deputy Atomic Energy Minister, says that Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation will not be at the expense of other countries. He also rejects US and Israeli allegations that the Russian-Iranian cooperation will put Iran in a position to produce nuclear weapons. --"Moscow: Nuclear and Military Cooperation with Tehran is not aimed at any other Country's Interests," Asharq Alawsat (London), 4 April 2002, .

4 April 2002 The British Broadcasting Corporation reports that Iran and Russia are discussing the construction of a second unit at the Bushehr power plant. Victor Kozlov, director of Atomstroyeksport, says, "guided by the results of work on the first power unit, the sides are now discussing a possibility of completing construction of the second unit." He adds that the construction contract might be signed in the coming two years. --"Iran, Russia Discuss Building 2nd Unit at Bushehr Power Plant," British Broadcasting Corporation (London) 4 April 2002; in Lexis-Nexis http://ww.lexis-nexis.com.

5 April 2002 Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, rejects US allegations that Russia has supplied dual-use items to Iran. --"Russian Foreign Minister rejects US Claims of Dual-Purpose Supplies To Iran" Interfax (Moscow) 5 April 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020405000142, 8 April 2002.

15 April 2002 Fayruz Hassini, Iran's representative at the United Nations in Vienna, denies allegations that Iran has stopped cooperating with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization. He says that Iran was among the first signatory countries. [Note: See 19 and 26 March 2002.] --"Iran denies stopping cooperation with Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization," Asharq Alawsat (London) 4 April 2002, .
20 April 2002 The deputy Russian atomic energy minister says that Russia has decided to complete the nuclear reactor in Bushehr. He adds that all necessary documents for the construction of two other new reactors have been prepared. --"Iran: Russian Official Says Documents For Another Two Nuclear Reactors Ready," Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 20 April 2002, http://cnsinfo.miis.edu.

23 April 2002 John Wolf, US assistant secretary of state, says that the United States failed to stop Russian nuclear assistance to Iran. --"US Fails to Stop Russian Nuke AID To Iran," Middle East Newsline, 23 April 2002, http://www.menl.com.

26 April 2002 Interfax reports that the Leningradsky Metallichesky Zavod [Leningrad Metal Factory] has manufactured basic parts of the 1,000MW turbine to be installed in Bushehr. --"Leningrad Company Manufacturing Parts For Nuclear Power Plant in Iran," Interfax (Moscow) 26 April 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020426000006, 21 June 2002.

27 April 2002 The construction of the main component of the 1,000MW nuclear power plant is complete. The turbine will be tested soon. A Russia official says that despite US pressure, the nuclear power plant in Bushehr will be operational in 2003. --"Iran: First Bushehr Nuclear Power Station to become operational in 2003," Voice of The Islamic Republic of Iran, Radio 1 (Tehran), 27 April 2002, in FBIS document IAP20020427000001, 21 June 2002.
2 May 2002 The general director of the Russian nuclear organization says that the financial problems between Russia and Iran that were facing the completion of the Bushehr power plant have been resolved. --"IAEA Deems Iran's Nuclear Activities Peaceful," Tehran Times (Tehran), 2 May 2002, http://www.tehrantimes.com.

6 May 2002 Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov says that Russia is ready to resolve US concerns about the Russian Nuclear cooperation with Iran. --"Ivanov Says Russia is Ready to resolve US Concern over Nuclear Cooperation with Iran," RIA-Novosti 6 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020507000008 24 June 2002.

9 May 2002 The Bush administration decides to impose new penalties on Chinese, Armenian, and Moldavian companies believed to be assisting Iran's weapon of mass destruction program. These entities are Lizen Open Joint Stock Company and Armen Sargasian, Armenia; LiyangYunlong, Aka Liyang Chemical Equipment Company, Zibo Chenmical Equipment Plant, Aka Chemet Global Ltd, China Mational Machinery and Electric Equipment Import and Export, Wha Cheong Tai Comapny, China Shipbuilding Trading Company, The China Precision Machinsery Import/Export Corporation, The China National Aero-Technology Import and Export, QC Chen, China; Cuanta SA, Mikhail Pavlovitch, Moldova. --"US to Penalize Foreign Firms Over Iran ties," New York Times, 9 May 2002; Federal Register Vol. 67, No. 95, 16 May 2002.

10 May 2002 Russian officials of the foreign ministry and Atomic Energy Ministry visit Washington to lessen the worries of the American administration with respect to the Russian-Iranian cooperation. They will also offer a new plan for cooperation with the United States regarding the Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation. --"Minatom Chief in America To Lower Pulses Over Iranian Nuke Plant," Bellona Report vol. 3-2001, 10 May 2002 .
10 May 2002 Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev says that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr remains "a sensitive topic." He stresses that the reactor cannot be used for the production of nuclear weapons. --Charles Digges, "Russian Nuke Minister Says US Tensions Easing Over Iranian Nuke Plant," Bellona, 10 May 2002, .
10 May 2002 The Washington Times reports that Iran has moved air defense missiles to its nuclear facilities. These missiles consist of several batteries of US-made Hawk missiles that have been improved and are now dubbed I-Hawks and are deployed around the Bushehr area. --Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough, "Inside the Ring," Washington Times, 10 May 2002, http://www.washingtontimes.com.

13 May 2002 Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev says that Russia and the United States must reach an agreement regarding Russia's nuclear cooperation with Iran. He adds that the Russian cooperation with Iran is respectful of international regulations and that Iran has signed all the documents required by the International Atomic Energy Agency and that the IAEA has carried out more that 60 inspections in Iran without finding any proof of any illegal activities. --"Atomic Energy Ministry Is Counting on The US to Understand Russia's Position on Cooperation with Iran," Interfax (Moscow), 13 May 2002.
13 May 2002 Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Igor Ivanov says that the United States should refrain from making unfounded allegations about Russia's peaceful nuclear cooperation with Iran. --"Ivanov Urges US To Refrain From sullying Iran-Russia Nuke Cooperation," IRNA (Tehran), 13 May 2002.

13 May 2002 Vladimir Orlov, Director of the PIR Center for Political Studies, says that the Russian government has instructed institutes to limit contacts with Iranian scientists and that any training offered should be explicitly approved by the security services. Analysts from PIR say that the aim of Iran is to accumulate expertise to build nuclear weapons. --"Lax Nuke Control Casts Shadows on US-Russia Partnership," Dow Jones Newswire, 13 May 2002.
14 May 2002 Richard Perle, chairman of the Defense Policy Board, says that Russia's Soviet-era debt should be forgiven. Such action might help persuade Russia to stop its nuclear cooperation with Iran. --"Debt Relief May Wean Russia from Iran, US Official," Reuters, 14 May 2002; in , 15 May 2002.

15 May 2002 Husayn Afarideh, head of the Iranian Majlis Energy Commission, calls upon the International Atomic Energy Agency to prevent propaganda against Iran's peaceful nuclear programs. In a meeting with Werner Burkart, IAEA deputy director, Afarideh points out the IAEA positive reports about Iran and the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program. Afarideh invites Burkart and IAEA high officials to visit nuclear facilities in Iran, including Bushehr. --"Iran: Majles Official Urges IAEA to Thwart propaganda against Nuclear Programs," IRNA (Tehran), 15 May 2002, http://www.irna.com.

15 May 2002 US Secretary of State Colin Powell says that Russia and the United States are still in disagreement concerning the transfer of sensitive equipment to Iran. --"US, Russia Disagree on Iran: Powell," Agence France Presse, 15 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, www.lexis.nexis.com>.

16 May 2002 The Jerusalem Post reports that the Israeli government is lobbying the US administration to put the Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation at the top of the agenda of the discussion of Presidents Bush and Putin. --Herb Keinon, "Israel Wants Iran Nukes on Agenda of Bush-Putin Summit," Jerusalem Post, 16 May 2002.
17 May 2002 The United States claims that Kvant Company, based in Chisinau, Moldova, helped Iran produce nuclear weapons. The company was founded in 1950 and specialized in electronic military equipment. It went bankrupt in 2001. --"US Says Moldova Helped Iran Produce Weapons of Mass Destruction," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 17 May 2002, Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

17 May 2002 The Iranian embassy in Yerevan protests US allegations that Armenian entities have transferred nuclear technology to Iran. The embassy claims that not one Armenian-Iranian joint-venture is engaged in developing high military technology. --"Armenia: Iranian Embassy Rejects US Allegation Over Transfer of High Technology," Financial Times (London), 17 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

21 May 2002 The Middle East Newsline reports that Russia plans to start operating the first unit of the Iran nuclear power plant by the end of 2003. --"Russia Pledges To Continue Bushehr," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 187, 21 May 2002, .
22 May 2002 Anton Khlopkov, a Russian security expert, says that the Russian technology transferred to Iran in the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr cannot be used for the development of nuclear weapons. --Anatoly Yurkin, "Russian Technologies Supplied To Iran Unfit for Making Nuclear Weapons," ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 22 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020522000305, 24 June 2002.

24 May 2002 Maxim Shingarkin, a leading Russia nuclear expert, says that the reactor sold to Iran, a VVER-1000, can be used to produce nuclear weapons grade plutonium irrespective of IAEA inspections. He says that the reactor produces neutrons. Even if Iran returns the spent fuel to Russia, they will be able to produce plutonium with such a reactor. --"Russian Warns Bushehr Could BE Used for Nukes," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 192, 24 May 2002, http://www.menl.com.

24 May 2002 US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says that Iran's goal behind acquiring nuclear technology is clear. Iran is trying to develop "the full spectrum" of weapons of mass destruction, he says. --"Rumsfeld Iran's Nuclear Ambitions 'unambiguous'," Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Washington), 24 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .
24 May 2002 Yevgeny Reshetnikov, Russian deputy atomic energy minister, says that Iran "cannot and will not use for any ends enriched nuclear fuel" from the Bushehr reactor. The fuel will be shipped back to Russia. --Eric Helque, "Putin Rebuffs US Concern Over Iran Nuclear Threat," Agence France Presse, 24 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .
24 May 2002 General Yuri Baluyevsky, Russian deputy chief of staff, says that Iran has received tactical nuclear weapons from a country other than Russia. [Note: He may be referring to Kazakhstan. See March 1993 entry.] --"Iran, Russia Again Argue Over Nukes," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 207, 24 May 2002, http://www.menl.com.

25 May 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, the Russian atomic energy minister, says he is pleased by the US-Russia summit. Yet he acknowledges that Russia failed to eliminate US concerns over the Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation. He says that the creation of a joint Russian-US group of experts constitutes an additional step towards the signing of a bilateral treaty on the peaceful use of atomic energy. He adds that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr does not mean the transfer of technologies to Iran and that the plant will be supervised for at least 10 years by Russia and will be subject to the same security measures in Russia. --"Rumyantsev Sees Russo-US Nuclear Expert Groups as Step to Atomic Energy Treaty," Nuclear.ru (Moscow) 25 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020531000149, 25 May 2002; "Russia Nuclear Minister Pleased With summit, though Iran remains an Issue," Interfax (Moscow), 25 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020525000111, 24 June 2002.

26 May 2002 US President Bush announces that Russia has proposed international inspections, possibly by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), of the nuclear plant it is helping build in Iran to assuage US fears that the facility might help Tehran produce atomic weapons. Bush says that Russian President Putin will put pressure on Iran so that it allows international inspections of its Russian-made nuclear reactor. --Ron Hutcheson, "Putin Offers Inspectors in Iran," Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 May 2002, <http://www.philly.com>; Steve Holland, "Bush Says Iran Nuclear Plant Might Be Inspected," Reuters (Paris), 27 May 2002; in Gulf 2000, <http://gulf2000.columbia.edu>.

26 May 2002 Kamal Kharazi, the Iranian foreign minister, approves of Russia's defense of the Russian-Iranian nuclear cooperation during US President George Bush's visit to Moscow. --"Iran Welcomes Russia's Defense Of Tehran-Moscow Nuclear Cooperation," IRNA (Tehran), 26 May 2002; in FBIS document 2002052600039, 26 May 2002.

26 May 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian atomic energy minister, says that a Russian delegation will fly to Tehran to discuss the delivery of nuclear fuel to the Iranian nuclear reactor in Bushehr. --"Russian Delegation in Iran Soon To discuss Nuclear Fuel Delivery," Agence France Presse (Paris), 26 May 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, .
27 May 2002 Israeli security sources say that Israel is examining a possible attack on the Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr, in the same way it bombed the Iraqi reactor in 1981. --"Al Qanat: Israel May Attack Iran's Nuclear Reactor," Al Qanat (Cairo), 27 May 2002; in FBIS document 20020527000075, 24 June 2002.

27 May 2002 Husayn Afarideh, head of the Iranian Majlis Energy Commission, says that the International Atomic Energy Agency has planned 70 visits to the Bushehr nuclear power plant during the next year. He adds that the construction of the plant is going well and that about 1,000 Russian experts are at the site. --"IAEA to Inspect Iranian Nuclear Plant," Reuters, 27 May 2002; in http://www.iranexpert.com.

28 May 2002 Husayn Afarideh, head of the Majlis energy commission, says that the construction of the Bushehr nuclear reactor will be undertaken under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Melissa Fleming, spokesperson of the IAEA says that IAEA representatives have visited the nuclear plant before and that once nuclear materials are supplied to the plant, four to six visits will be carried out a year. --"Iranian Nuclear Plant to be Built under IAEA Supervision,"
IRNA 28 May 2002, http://www.irna.com.

28 May 2002 Alexander Rumyantsev, Russian atomic energy minister, says that Russia will train 100 Iranian engineers to operate at the Bushehr nuclear power plant. He adds that the nuclear plant will be operational in 2004/2005 and the next six years will be a transitional period. During this period, Russian and Iranian expert will run the facility. --"Russia to Train 100 Iranian engineers to Operate Bushehr-1 Nuclear Plant," Interfax (Moscow), 28 May 2002; in FBIS document CEP20020528000137, 24 June 2002; "Russia will Train 100 Iranian Engineer working at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant," Asharq al Awsat (London) 29 May 2002 http://www.asharqalawsat.com.

30 May 2002 Muhammad Jawad Zarif, the Iranian deputy foreign minister, and Russian Foreign Mnistry official Georgy Mamedov meet concerning non-proliferation issues. --"Russia and Iran Engage in First Non-proliferation Talks," Agence France Presse, 30 May 2002; in Iran Expert, , 31 May 2002.

31 May 2002 The Middle East Newsline reports that Iran and Russia are believed to be in disagreement about tighter International Atomic Energy Agency inspections to nuclear sites in Iran. Iran opposes the Russian proposal for tighter inspections. Russia is trying to ensure that Iran cannot use the Russian built facilities to produce nuclear weapons. Iranian officials have not signed a protocol that will allow a more comprehensive inspection of nuclear site that will unveil if a facility has any secret activities. [Note: See 28 July 1997 and 1 June 2000 for more on Iran and the Additional Protocol.] --"Iran, Russia Disagree on Tighter IAEA Controls," Middle East Newsline, Vol. 4, No. 202, 31 May 2002, http://www.menl.com.

10 June 2002 Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asifi rejects the remarks of General Yuri Baluyevsky, Russian deputy chief of staff, that Iran has the equipment to produce nuclear weapons. He adds that the Russian official was not aware of Iran's peaceful nuclear program. --"Iran Rejects Reports on Nuke Weapons, reiterates IAEA Pledge," IRNA (Tehran), 10 June 2002, .
16 June 2002 Hassan Ruhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, says that Iran will respect the Non-Proliferation Treaty. --"Iran says it Abides by Non-Proliferation Treaty," IRNA, 16 June 2002, http://www.irna.com.

21 June 2002 The Christian Science Monitor reports that the United States believes that Iran is "gaining sensitive Russian technology that will help Tehran's hard-line mullahs acquire nuclear weapons and delivery systems" through its collaboration with Russia on the Bushehr nuclear facility. Vladimir Orlov, head of the Moscow think tank, the PIR Center, disagrees with this assessment. Orlov says, "There is practically zero risk that Iran will use the Bushehr power plant for nuclear proliferation" due to the fact that Russia itself will supply the fuel and will immediately return the spent fuel to Russia, eliminating Iran from the nuclear-fuel cycle. A US official claims that Russia is providing Iran with technology for isotope separation using laser technology, the article says. --Scott Peterson, "Russian Nuclear Know-How Pours into Iran," Christian Science Monitor, 21 June 2002, p. 1; in Gulf 2000, <http://gulf2000.columbia.edu>.
21 June 2002 Robert Nigmatulin, Russian deputy minister of atomic energy, says that Iran does not have the technology to separate plutonium from irradiated nuclear fuel and will not be able to develop such technology on its own. --"Russian officials Vow to Complete Iranian Nuclear Power Station," Financial Times, (London) 21 June 2002; in Lexis-Nexis, http://www.lexis-nexis.com.

24 June 2002 Deputy Atomic Energy Minister Valery Lebedev says that spent fuel from an Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant would be returned to Russia, countering worries that Iran could use the fuel to develop nuclear weapons. The statement was in response to claims from Greenpeace International that the waste would remain in Iran. According to Lebedev, "Russia will definitely observe the principles of the International Atomic Energy Agency under which spent fuel will return to the country supplying the fuel." --Agence France-Presse, 24 June 2002; in Gulf 2000, <http://gulf2000.columbia.edu>.

25 June 2002 M. Dimitriov, Russian deputy defense minister, rejects allegations that Russia and Iran cooperate on unconventional weapons. He says that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr complies with international laws and regulations. --"Russia rejects That Cooperation With Iran is 'Unconventional'," IRNA (Tehran), 25 June 2002.

Pictures of the uprising in Rojhalat

Slachtoffers bij de recente terroristische acties van de Islamitische Republiek van Iran tijdens de opstand. Volgens een rapport van de KHRW zijn er meer dan 70 mensen omgekomen, 300 gewond en meer dan 1500 opgepakt.

London (KurdishMedia.com) 13 August 2005: On Wednesday, the editor in chief of the Kurdish weekly Rojhelat (The East), Huseyin Ahmedi-Niyaz, was arrested by the “Sinne Revolutionary Court” in Eastern Kurdistan.

The arrest came after the recent closure of Rojhelat by the Iranian authorities. Rojhelat was named after the Eastern part of Kurdistan, i.e. Iranian Kurdistan. In related news, two activists in Sinne were arrested. Celali Behmeni was demonstrating with many others in front of the local council when he was picked up by the authorities. A trade-union activist, Esmayil Kazimi, was also arrested in Sinne on Wednesday according to reports reaching KurdishMedia.com.

Shehid Shwane Qaderi

On the 9th of juli 2005, the security forces interrogated, tortured,and shot a young Kurdish activist, Shehid Shwane Qaderi. He is a hero for all of us, in Rojhalat and Kurdistan, for Kurds all arround the world. And on this day we swear in the name of our shehid Shwane Qaderi we will get revenge. Shwane Qaderi fought for kurds and Kurdistan. He will stay in our heart forever and be known as the first shehid of the new Kurdisch revolution in Rojhalat. Shehid Shwane, Qaderi ,Peace be upon Him.

Awat Dilshad.

Ihlam, Kirmanshan en Tikab

Arnhem, 12-08-2005

Het Iraanse TV zender NITV bricht over de meest recente gebeurtenissen in Iran en Kurdistan.

Volgens de brichten heeft de opstand die begon op 9 juli, na de marteling en moord op Shwane Qaderi, die in Mahabad begon, nu ook Ihlam, Kirmanshan en Tikab bereikt. In deze steden vonden er grote demonstraties plaats. Het is nog niet duidelijk hoeveel mensen gewond geraakt zijn.

Ook werd vandaag duidelijk dat het Islamitische regime van Iran nog harder wil optreden tegen de opstand. Een parlements lid in Tehran riep zelfs alle moslims op tot een heilige oorlog tegen de opstandelingen: " Laat mij hun maar aanpakken, ik zal mijn jihad pak aantrekken en met mijn zwaard de heilige oorlog te voeren, dit zijn de vijanden van Islam."

Meer over Rojhalat en de opstand in Oost-Kurdistan, en nu ook Zuid-west Iran krijg je zo snel mogelijk te horen.

Awat Dilshad.

Tanks Moving into Mahabad

12th.08. 2005. Arnhem, Today the Islamic Republic placed tanks in central Mahabad.

Pictures of tanks moving into the city have been placed on the kurdisch website www.mahabad.org. The army has surrounded the Kurdisch towns: Sne, Seqz, Sablax, Bane and Shno. Local Citizens claim to have heard the soldiers speaking in Turkish language.The kurdisch human rights watch organization (KHRW) now states that more than 70 people died in the recent uprising in Rojhalat.

Awat Dilshad.