This is so unbelievably stupid, I shudder to think how badly informed people who rely on the New York Times really are. Their screaming Headline (Soon to be amended, I hope):
"Iran Opens Plant That Can Produce Plutonium"
TEHRAN, Aug. 26 — Just days before it is supposed to suspend enrichment of uranium or face the prospect of sanctions, Iran continues to project an image of defiance and confidence. Its position regarding the demand it suspend enrichment remains a determined "No."
On Saturday, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, made a provocative, if symbolic, gesture by formally inaugurating a heavy-water plant. The plant, which Iranians say is intended for peaceful purposes, would also produce plutonium, which in turn could be used in the building of nuclear warheads.
"There are no talks of nuclear weapons in Iran," President Ahmadinejad said as he announced the opening of the plant. "And we are not a threat for any country, even the Zionist regime that is the enemy of the countries in the region."
But, he added: "We tell the Western countries not to cause trouble for themselves because Iranian people are determined to take big steps."
The action was the latest in a series of not-too-veiled threats against the West if Iran is saddled with sanctions.
But Iran's public posture has all but guaranteed that the members of the United Nation's Security Council will have to at least address Iran's violations of the resolution setting August 31 as the deadline for suspending enrichment.
Iranian's public confidence is based on three primary factors, political analysts here said: There is a strong belief that two of the council's permanent members, Russia and China, will support Iran's call for talks and oppose moving toward sanctions; that the United States is far too bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan to be willing to spark another conflict in the region; and the perceived victory of Hezbollah in its war with Israel has strengthened Iran's political capital in the region.
"After the defeat of Israel by Hezbollah forces, China and Russia should not want to leave the side that won the war, which is the Islamic world," said Hossein Shariatmadari, who is the editor of the conservative daily newspaper Kayhan.
As I pointed out before, what Iran opened is a plant to produce heavy water. That plant cannot ever produce plutonium. The heavy water can be used as a moderator (and coolant) IN a reactor that can produce plutonium. What they opened is a production plant for the water, not a reactor, not a nuclear facility. How educated are the people writing for the Times?
Not so very much, I am quite sure. That neither the reporter or the editor was educated enough to catch this should make you wonder about anything you read in the Times.
This is, quite frankly, ignorance.
sigh