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Show vr I HE SIGNPOST Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Ahmadinejad: Iran has tested new generation of advanced centrifuges By AH Akbar Dareini Associated Press Writer TEHRAN, Iran - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced major progress in Iran's push for nuclear power, saying TAiesday that his nation was installing thousands of new uranium-enriching centrifuges and testing a much faster version of the device. Ahmadinejad said scientists were putting 6,000 new centrifuges into place, about twice the current number, and testing a new type that works five times faster. That would represent a major expansion of uranium enrichment - a process that can produce either fuel for a nuclear reactor or material for a warhead. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cautioned, however, that the claim could not be immediately substantiated. Diplomats close to the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency say Iran has exaggerated its progress and seen problems operating the 3,000 centrifuges already in place. One diplomat said Ahmadinejad's claims of a more advanced centrifuge appeared to allude to a type known as the IR-2, which the agency and Iran said months ago that Iran had begun testing. While expressing concern that Iran continued to defy a U.N. Security Council ban on enrichment, a diplomat said that Ahmadinejad's announcement "seems to be little more than a publicity stunt." He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. The IR-2 is believed to be two to three times faster than the centrifuges currently in use, and his claim that the new machine was five times as quick added to the skepticism of the diplomats. Permanent members of the Security Council, which has already imposed three sets of sanctions against Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, were divided in their response to the announcement. The United States and Britain quickly condemned it, and France warned that Iran could face more sanctions. But Russia, an ally of Iran, dismissed the need for that, saying negotiators were preparing a new package of incentives aimed at persuading Iran to freeze uranium enrichment. Iran rejected a standing package of incentives endorsed by the five Security Council members plus Germany last week. Tehran says its nuclear program is intended only to produce energy, not develop weapons as the U.S. and many of its allies fear. Iran has about 3,000 centrifuges operating at its underground nuclear facility in Natanz. That is the commonly accepted figure for a nuclear enrichment program that is past the experimental stage and can be used as a platform for a full industrialscale program that could churn out enough enriched material for dozens of nuclear weapons over time. During a tour of the Natanz facility in ceremonies marking the second anniversary of Iran's first enrichment of uranium, Ahmadinejad announced the start of work on installing the 6,000 new centrifuges. Later in a nationally televised speech, he announced the testing of the new, more effective device. Ahmadinejad said a "new machine was put to test" that is smaller but five times more efficient than the P-l centrifuges that are currently in operation at Natanz. He called the development a "breakthrough" and the "beginning of a speedy trend to eliminate the big powers" dominance in nuclear energy. The U.N. has passed three sets of sanctions against Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said there was no need for new sanctions. Instead, he told Ekho Moskvy radio that diplomats from the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, would offer Iran new economic, energy and security incentives to halt uranium enrichment. But Rice urged Iran to accept a deal and halt enrichment. "Iran faces continued isolation in the international community because it will not take a reasonable offer from the international community to have another way," she said in Washington. In the enrichment process, uranium gas is pumped into a series of centrifuges called "cascades." The gas is spun at supersonic speeds to remove impurities. Enriching at a low level produces nuclear fuel,butatahigherlevelitcan produce the material for a warhead. The workhorse of Iran's enrichment program is the P-l, which is run in cascades of 164 machines. Iranian officials confirmed in February that they had started using the IR-2, which can churn out enriched uranium at more than double the rate. It was not clear if Ahmadinejad was referringto the IR-2Tuesday. Iranian state television, which carried his speech live, didn't provide details. Iran has said it plans to move toward large-scale uranium enrichment that ultimately will involve 54,000 centrifuges. Taylor continued from front Quality, Flexibility, Accessibility ^ 9 ^% m0 m^^. Evening Courses Designed F°r Working Professionals For information, ca ! l 2••> 5-35 I 9 or click on v / e b e r . e d u / m b a Listed in the Princeton Review's Best Business Schools 2008 edition YOU'RE INVITED TO ATTEND A N INFORMATIONAL MEETING * r 6-7 p.m, Rm 134 .* « t • Monday, April 14 6-7pm,Rm 134 * , i * *ft »* > ^ T -' » ' f 2750 N. University Park Blvd., Layton • 1-15 Exit 334, east on Hwy. 193 • NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS the election bylaw prohibiting campaigning off-campus. The institute will not allow campaigning on church property in the future. "It's obvious that it's not going to happen in the future because of the proclamation of the church," Olsen said. Olsen spoke out against the bill. "This could be a Pandora's box," Olsen said. "What's next? Allowing campaign signs off-campus?" WSU Senator Mike Koefed said the bill would help students and the community get involved. It would also generate excitement in the community about Weber State. A bill to regulate political parties was introduced by WSU Senator Hill. The bill creates a series of bylaws intended to regulate the organization and conduct of political parties at WSU. "We have political parties whether we like it or not," Hill said. "Right now, they're not regulated, and this bill would bring them under the bylaws. This can increase political participation without any cost." Koefed supported the bill. "This could make our senate function like real government," he said, "such as having caucuses and nominating conventions." THE ADRENALINE GOING. AND WHOEVER READS ABOUT YOUR RESUME. .. •^j&z*y • < Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivers a speech during a ceremony marking " Nuclear Technology National Day" in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 8, 2008. Ahmadinejad announced Tuesday major progress in Iran's push for nuclear power, saying Tuesday that his nation was installing thousands of new uranium-enriching centrifuges and testing a much faster version of the device. Home continued from Koefed proposed a failed amendment that would require political parties to have transparent nominating conventions to avoid "smoky back room deals." Latham opposed the bill, saying it could create additional hurdles for already overburdened candidates. Cody Jones said it would actually decrease burdens since much of the groundwork would be taken care of by the party. Hill also introduced a bill that would mandate WSUSA holding two environmental events each.year at WSU. WSU Senator Jared Diehl proposed a bill that would add a Davis Campys vice president to the executive branch of student government. "Our concern is that as Davis campus grows they will not become two campuses," Diehl said. All proposed bills will be voted on next week. Anna Adams, graduate intern in the Department of Student Leadership and Involvement, also gave a presentation on creating a smooth transition between outgoing and incoming student body officers for next year. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. m^ •y.^ ^ • * * * • • "Its still fairly new," Maughan said. "But it is so you can put on a story about someone who came to help you when you needed it." Maughan said she hopes the Web site will start a revolution and help people work on paying it forward. Maughan, who lives in New York, said she got her inspiration for the story after Sept. 11. She said that as the first Christmas after the terrorist attacks got closer, a lot of reporters would talk about how the first Christmas was going to be hard for the family members of the victims. Maughan said it made her frustrated that they put a time limit on the grief. "I wanted to acknowledge that they are always gone," Maughan said. Shealsosaidshegot inspiration from a woman who was a widow of a victim of the attacks. The woman had committed suicide around Christmas because she couldn't handle the grief of being apart from her husband. While this is Maughan's first book, she is currently working on her second, and a screenplay. Maughan will have a reading of her book in Special Collections in the Library at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10. A book signing will follow the reading. The event is open to the public. Maughan said she feels she accomplished what she wanted to accomplish in writing the book. "But that chapter," Maughn said, "is still being written." Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. Race continued from front ADD SOME ADRENALINE TO YOUR SUMMER BREAK... GET PAID... ARMY ROTC LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSE! rjjgnliBjj^i 1-^".--) Adventure training and leadership skills can jump start your career! LTC is a PAID course that will offer one of the most exciting summers you will ever have. 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He also said America should recognize its heritage, while at the same time embracing its richness in diversity. "I think that people should vote for the person' they think will do the best job," he said. "But I could also see how people can vote for a candidate to relieve the racial tension." Guliuzza said discussing race would heal the cancer that America's historical past createtl. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. |