Parliamentary Majority in Italy Calls for New Iran Policy, Support for NCR, Iran Zamin News Agency, July 2 

The NCR issued a statement today indicating that four members of the Italian parliament, from both the ruling coalition and the opposition, and the representative of the NCR in Italy held a press conference today "to declare that 326 parliamentary deputies have signed a joint statement urging the Italian government to adopt a new policy on Iran based on firmness in dealing with Tehran and support for the NCR and its President-elect, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi."

The 326 parliamentarians noted that support for Maryam Rajavi "who as a symbol of unity is backed by the majority of the Iranian people, will contribute to the establishment of democracy in Iran and peace and stability in the region."

Among the signatories were three cabinet ministers, four deputy ministers and a number of chairmen of parliamentary committees and groups, the four parliamentarians said.

The NCR statement reported that the Italian MPs emphasized that "this Resistance and its 580-member parliament, which has committed itself to free elections and a secular and pluralist government, is the best answer to the ominous specter of fundamentalism as the new global threat."

In a letter sent to Italy's prime minister accompanying the statement, the parliamentarians noted the past record of Iran's new President, Mohammad Khatami, and his role in domestic repression and export of terrorism and urged the Italian government "not to repeat the mistakes of the past and not to be misled by a mirage called moderation in a fundamentalist and terrorist regime."

The majority of the Italian parliamentarians noted in their statement: "Today, even the former advocates of critical dialogue acknowledge that the policy has been a failure and unacceptable. To continue the policy is tantamount to inviting the mullahs to persist in further suppression and export of terrorism. It must therefore be abandoned."

The Washington Post, July 2 

China and Russia were the world's premier exporters of weapons of mass destruction or related technologies during the latter half of 1996, and assisted countries including Iran, India and Pakistan in developing ballistic missiles, poison gas weapons or a capability to make nuclear arms, according to a CIA report to Congress released this week….

"The Chinese provided a tremendous variety of assistance to both Iran's and Pakistan's ballistic missile programs" during the period in question, the report said….

"…Russia supplied a variety of ballistic missile-related goods to foreign countries…especially to Iran. Russia was an important source for nuclear programs in Iran…," the report said….

"Iran's acquisition efforts remain unrelenting" and were focused on potential suppliers in China, Russia, India, Europe and Asia, the report said….

The Associated Press, July 2 

Washington—…"The Chinese provided a tremendous variety of assistance to both Iran's and Pakistan's ballistic missile programs. China was also the primary source of nuclear-related equipment and technology to Pakistan and a key supplier to Iran," the report said….

China and Russia were identified as the main weapons sources for Iran, one of the key U.S. security concerns in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region. The CIA said Iran has been seeking to acquire all types of technology for weapons of mass destruction, particularly chemical weapons and nuclear-related goods. Iran also bought biotechnology equipment from countries in Europe and Asia, "ostensibly for civilian use." And Iran sought tanks, surface-to-air missiles and other conventional arms….

Pentagon Concerned About Nuke Smuggling, United Press International, July 1

The Pentagon is "very concerned" nuclear weapons or components could be smuggled from the former Soviet Union to U.S. enemies….

[Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon] said the scenario of smuggled nukes making its way to America's enemies is a definite concern.

He said, "If the question is, 'are we concerned that nuclear materials or weapons could be stolen from the former Soviet Union and shipped to other places in the world, particularly countries that may wish us ill such as Iran?' yes, we are very concerned about that."

Bacon called that kind of threat "one of the most serious challenges that we as a country face today."…

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