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New York Times: Russia Gives Iran Ultimatum on Enrichment

Russia has informed Iran that it will withhold nuclear fuel for Iran’s nearly completed Bushehr power plant unless Iran suspends its uranium enrichment as demanded by the United Nations Security Council, European, American and Iranian officials said.

The ultimatum was delivered in Moscow last week by Igor Ivanov, Russia’s Security Council Secretary, to Ali Hosseini Tash, Iran’s deputy chief nuclear negotiator, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because a confidential diplomatic exchange between two governments was involved.

For years, President Bush has been pressing President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to cut off help to Iran on the nuclear reactor, which is Tehran’s first serious effort to produce nuclear energy and has been highly profitable for Russia. But Mr. Putin has resisted.

Recently, however, Moscow and Tehran have been engaged in a public argument about whether Iran has paid its bills, in a dispute that may explain Russia’s apparent shift. The ultimatum may also reflect Moscow’s increasing displeasure and frustration with Iran over its refusal to stop enriching uranium at its vast facility at Natanz.

Well, Flap supposes Russia is pissed because Iran is stalling on paying them. Did the Iranian Mullahs really think they could stonewall the Kremilin? Or STIFF them?

Or are the Russians thinkng of their OWN self-interest?

Either by providing Iran with reactor grade (non-nuclear weapons grade) enriched uranium processed in Russia and make some money along with quick-starting a new Russian business enterprise or shutting down any chance of a nuclear weapons laden Iran.

Whatever the rationale, this “bargaining chip” may forestall an Israeli and/or American military strike on Iran.

And what will Iran do?

The Bushehr nuclear reactor in southern Iran

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Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad Faces Off With United Nations

Iran Nuclear Watch: New Iran Nuclear Sanctions Headed to United Nations

Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia Postpones Nuclear Plant Launch Over Payments

Cox & Forkum: Runaway

Iran Nuclear Watch: Ahmadinejad – Iran Won’t End Nuke Program

Iran Nuclear Watch: IAEA – Iran Has Expanded Uranium Enrichment

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Refuses to Halt United Nations Demand to Halt Uranium Enrichment

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Attack Plans Revealed

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Will NOT Suspend Uranium Enrichment

Iran Nuclear Watch: Too Late to Halt Iran’s Nuclear Bomb?

The Iran Nuclear Files

The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image.

Michelle Steel, California State Board of Equalization Member for Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties has ENDORSED Rudy Giuliani for President in an interview with Flap this afternoon.

Mrs. Steel, elected this past November is the highest ranking elected GOP woman politician in California. She is also the highest ranking elected Korean-American official in the United States.

Steel’s California government website is here.

Her biography is here and here.

Why Rudy?

“America is in a war. He is the only candidate that can lead us through the war.”

“Rudy is the RIGHT ONE.”

When I first met him at the California Republican Party Convention in Sacramento I immediately “liked him.” “He never changes his mind”, is direct and has “so much energy.”

“I respect him for his leadership.”

What do you foresee as your role in the Giuliani campaign?

As the highest elected GOP woman officeholder, “I have and will continue to speak before Republican Women’s groups.” Hopefully, they will trust my judgment and support Rudy.

Also, Mrs. Steel sees a large role in fundraising, especially within the Asian community. She emphasized that many Americans of Asian heritage will be attracted to Giuliani because of his leadership and blunt, direct method of governing New York City.

She will reach out to them for votes and campaign cash. Fundraising events are currently being planned.

Mayor Giuliani currently has large leads in California and national polls. Is this race over?

“Yes”

American needs someone to “lead us.”

Of all the candidates, Rudy is the “BEST CANDIDATE – ONLY HIM.”

“There really is nobody else.”

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The Rudy Giuliani Files

McCain Explains Club for Growth No-Show

McCain is good at the blame game……this time it is the Club for Growth

He’s WRONG again.

Technorati Tags: JohnMcCain, ClubforGrowth

Cathy Seipp is in the ICU at Cedars Sinai hospital in Los Angeles reports Kevin Roderick.

Her daughter Maia Lazar:

The doctor says that right now they’re just making her comfortable. She’s sedated, with painkillers among other things. Lungs collapsed so right now we just want to make sure she has dignity and is not in pain. The doctor says she has a couple days left. I want to thank all her readers for reading this blog, her friends for supporting her who made up “Team Cathy.” Through you all, I learned what a true friend was. I’m at her bedside now, holding her hand. I tell her she has 292 comments on the latest blog post..her last but she just squeezes my hand. She was very happy with this blog. In honor of her, if you can…support the American Lung Cancer Society and or adopt stray dogs and cats from the pound. Those were her causes. Thank you all so much. Will keep everyone posted.

How about going over and leaving a comment at her blog – here.

New York Yankees great Roger Maris’ son, Randy Maris, left, pats Repbulican presidential candidate Rudy Giuiliani on the back after Giuliani caught Randy Maris’ first pitch in the Yankees spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, March 18, 2007.

Giuliani will play golf here

The 2008 presidential campaign will come to McKinney on Tuesday, when Republican candidate and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will participate in a golf tournament at TPC Craig Ranch, 8000 Collin McKinney Parkway, to benefit Giuliani’s Presidential Exploratory Committee.

Giuliani chose this location due to its status as one of the fastest-growing counties in America, according to a statement.

The round of shotgun golf begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at 1:30 p.m. Giuliani will speak after the luncheon.

Cost is $750 for golf and lunch; $500 for lunch only; and $2,300 to play a few holes with Giuliani and receive a personal picture with him.

Space is limited to 150 participants.

To reserve a place, call 469-252-2290 or e-mail texansforrudy@yahoo.com

Flap has to say Rudy is at least having some fun as he stumps for votes and raises the big bucks necessary to run the media campaigns to come.

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The Rudy Giuliani Files

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, decked out in New York Yankees gear, goes out to catch the first pitch thrown by Randy Maris, Yankees’ great Roger Maris’ son, before the Yankees faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in a spring training baseball game yesterday.

AP: Former Pataki aide joins Giuliani’s team

A former top aide to George Pataki has signed on with Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, another sign that a White House bid by the one-time New York governor is unlikely.

Michael McKeon, a former chief spokesman for Pataki, and Jim Dyke, who served as chief spokesman for the Republican National Committee, have been hired as senior communications advisers to Giuliani.

The campaign press release is here.

Meanwhile, Rudy is in Texas and will be visiting with volunteers with the Republican Federation of Women at the Tarrant County Republican Party headquarters in Fort Worth this afternoon.

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The Rudy Giuliani Files

But, Barack Obama and Al Gore will keep Hillary honest, now won’t they?

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The Michael Ramirez Files