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In an address to the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Gates played down NIE's
assertion that Iran has not renewed its nuclear weapons program, Middle East Newsline reported. Speaking to delegates from 23 nations to the strategic conference, the
defense secretary warned against "cherry-picking" the findings of the NIE.
"The report expresses with greater confidence than ever that Iran did
have a nuclear weapons program — developed secretly, kept hidden for years,
and in violation of its international obligations," Gates said. "It reports
that they do continue their nuclear enrichment program, an essential
long-lead-time component of any nuclear weapons program. It states that they
do have the mechanisms still in place to restart their program."
It was the first time a senior administration official differed from the
NIE's conclusion. Gates, who said the U.S. focus toward Iran was "100
percent diplomatic and economic," did not explain how Teheran might have
renewed its nuclear weapons program.
Officials have stressed that the unclassified version of NIE did not
contain the classified data that demonstrated Iran's nuclear weapons
capability. NIE said it was "highly confident" that Iran has not restored
its weapons program as of October 2007.
Gates said he was "not confident" that an Iranian-U.S. dialogue would
help moderate Teheran's policies. He said Iran must first take measures to
assuage its Gulf Arab neighbors as well as Washington.
"Everywhere you turn, it is the policy of Iran to foment instability and
chaos, no matter the strategic value or the cost in the blood of innocents,"
Gates said.
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