From: Ad 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6167304.stm

"The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has not found conclusive
evidence that Iran is developing nuclear weapons, a US magazine has
reported.

Veteran investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, writing in The New Yorker,
cites a secret CIA report based on intelligence such as satellite images.

Correspondents say the alleged document appears to challenge Washington's
views regarding Iranian nuclear intentions.

The article says the White House was dismissive about the CIA report."

So...the CIA are being kept from information the White House has access to?

The CIA are peace loving liberals?

The CIA have no skilled people/experience of investigating nuclear weapons programs?

The choice is yours.

A little bird told me that the Admin had fallen back on the old &
discredited "show me the raw intel" route which given their level
of competence in general is somewhat worrying.

At least now there can be a congressional inquiry in your
"intelligence subcommitee" so the Intel ppl can put their case
directly to others with an interest.

Personally I side with the CIA on this. I think the Iranians are aiming to
become "nuclear capable" rather than actually having warheads
dotted around esp until they have ICBM'es as nukes + mrbm'es mean they are
a target for the world's nuke powers (esp the US) w/o being able to
maintain an effective deterrence given their rockets can't reach the US.

Better to be "nuclear capable" i.e. have the raw materials, know
how etc while you work on your rockets. Mucho like Japan.

You then give a time period to the world in which it would take you to
"go nuclear" e.g. in Japan's case it's 6-9 months (using their
existing "satellite launchers".

I would watch for Iran getting into the "satellite launching
business" as that's usually a cover for ICBM work.

Adam

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5