Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/30/03

TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT

TITLE=U-S / IRAN

NUMBER=5-53891

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Bush administration is reviewing its policy toward Iran in light of allegations that the Tehran government is developing nuclear weapons and allowing al-Qaida terrorists to operate on its soil. But Correspondent Nick Simeone reports whether the United States will adopt a more aggressive stand toward a country President Bush has called part of the axis of evil is far from clear.

TEXT: Right after the September 11th, terrorist attacks on the United States two years ago, President Bush declared the nation would adopt a far more aggressive policy toward terrorism -- no longer drawing a distinction between terrorist groups and the countries supporting them.

/// BUSH ACT ///

Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists and every government that supports them. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.

/// END ACT ///

With Washington now accusing Iran of harboring al-Qaida terrorists and developing nuclear weapons, Bush administration officials appear to be making a case for what could be a more aggressive approach toward Tehran's Islamic rulers. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has all but accused Iran of becoming a new haven for al-Qaida following the May 12th suicide bombings in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, that left eight Americans among the dead.

/// RUMSFELD ACT ///

There's no question but that there have been and there are today senior al-Qaida leaders in Iran and they are busy.

/// END ACT ///

He threatened action against Iran if its alleged attempts to influence politics in neighboring Iraq do not stop.

/// SECOND RUMSFELD ACT ///

Indeed, Iran should be on notice that efforts to try to remake Iraq in Iran's image would be aggressively put down.

/// END ACT ///

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. It also denies providing a safe haven to terrorists and has arrested or handed over al-Qaida members in the past. Still, on-going U-S-Iranian contacts and years of trying to encourage reform-minded, pro-democratic elements within the country have produced few signs Iran is ready to moderate its behavior and move away from being a rogue nation.

Nearly a quarter century after the Islamic revolution, the Iranian government still considers the United States an enemy, even though many ordinary Iranians now favor better relations with America. To Ray Takeyh, an expert on the Middle East at the National Defense University, this has helped keep U-S policy in a state of limbo.

/// TAKEYH ACT ///

There are no easy solutions to Iran. On the one hand, there's a policy of appealing to the Iranian people over the government. Yet on the other hand, there are sort of negotiations with government representatives on a variety of issues so in that particular sense, there is sort of a confusion.

/// END ACT ///

But Flynt Leverett, who until March worked at the White House National Security Council, suspects the Bush administration's approach toward Iran may be taking shape and moving closer to its pre-war view of Iraq.

/// LEVERETT ACT ///

Now I think there are powerful forces in the administration who are making the argument that we should move from this middling posture, cut off all contact with Iran, all tactical engagement, forget about strategic engagement entirely, and move toward a formal posture of regime change.

/// END ACT ///

What ever course the United States decides to pursue, Bush administration officials say an upcoming report about Iran's alleged nuclear activity from the International Atomic Energy Agency is likely to be a key factor in deciding the next steps. (SIGNED)

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