Reports say Washington distancing itself from earlier intelligence assessment suggesting Tehran had suspended work on weapons designs.

The US believes the official intelligence assessment of Iran’s nuclear programme is wrong and Tehran is working on the design of a nuclear weapon, it was reported today.

Washington is seeking support for new sanctions against Iran at the UN security council following the expiry of a new year deadline, imposed by the US president, Barack Obama, for Tehran to respond to an offer of economic help and improved diplomatic relations in return for curbing its nuclear programme.

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My Comment: The Bush administration were adamant in their belief that Iran was developing nuclear weapons ….

Guatemala Interested In Russian Weapons In Exchange For Food

(NSI News Source Info) MEXICO CITY – February 28, 2009: Guatemala’s vice-president has said the Central American country is interested in buying Russian military hardware in exchange for food.
“Guatemala is interested in acquiring aircraft, armored vehicles, and other armaments to fight organized crime. We could pay, as the Russian side suggests, with sugar and coffee for the arms deliveries,” Rafael Espada told the Prensa Libre newspaper.
Espada said the issues were discussed with Russian diplomats last Wednesday.
“The Russian side presented information on the armaments that could interest Guatemala’s Armed Forces and national police,” he said, adding that no specific agreements have been reached yet.
“The government has been instructed to study the Russian side’s proposals and draft relevant recommendations,” Espada said.
In turn, Guatemalan Armed Forces spokesman Francisco Loranca told journalists that the country’s Ground Forces, Air Force and Navy were in need of arms deliveries.

China Exports Qing Buqiang Zidong QBZ-95 Light Assault Rifle To Myanmar / Myanmar Is A Controlled Embargoed Country, In Spite The Factor China Exports Assault Rifle Type 95 – Report

Pakistan Opposition Chief Warns Of Chaos

(NSI News Source Info) LAHORE, Pakistan – February 28, 2009: Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif warned in an interview Friday that political chaos could embolden Islamist militants threatening nuclear-armed Pakistan, as his supporters battled police following a court ruling barring him from elected office.

Pakistan’s biggest political crisis in over a year began Wednesday when the Supreme Court upheld a ruling that banned Sharif from contesting elections because of a past criminal conviction.

Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif gestures during an interview in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Feb.

Bolivia To Start Receiving Russian-Made Helicopters In April

(NSI News Source Info) MOSCOW – February 27, 2009: Russia is to deliver two helicopters to Bolivia at the beginning of April, Bolivia’s anti-drug tsar has said, with reports suggesting that they will be used in the fight against the illicit drug business.
Sources earlier reported that Bolivia had expressed interest in buying a number of Russian-made Mi-17 multipurpose helicopters to combat terrorism and drug trafficking.
“As far as I know, two Russian helicopters will be shipped to Bolivia in the first weeks of April.