Nuclear Proliferation, The Indian Connection

[Windjammer]

Global watchdog sees Chennai’s tiny shop as supplier to Iran’s nuclear programme

CHENNAI/NEW DELHI: A tiny firm in a dark alley in Chennai's electronic spare parts hub on Meeran Sahib Street has been unwittingly catapulted into the midst of a suspected nuclear smuggling operation. A reputed proliferation watchdog has cited the company as a likely supplier to Iran's nuclear programme.

Ferrito Plastronics, a modest establishment with a reported turnover of Rs 2 crore-Rs 5 crore, has found a mention in a report published by the Institute of Science and International Security (ISIS) for an enquiry of one lakh ring magnets posted on a Chinese commercial website by an Iranian trading firm, Jahan Tech Rooyan Pars.

The Chennai firm does supply magnets. But these, avers company proprietor Bala Subramanian, are the ones used in loudspeakers, coils and medical equipment. Besides these, there are decorative magnets for fridges, Subramanian's shop assistant displayed to TOI.

So how did Ferrito Plastronics become part of the cloak-and-dagger world of the nuclear mart? Subramanian says he has never had trade dealings with China — his only interaction being an occasion when he left his business card at a trade fair he had attended in that country a few years ago.

Indeed, going by the shop and its trappings, it seems far fetched to visualize the firm as a supplier for highly sophisticated magnets used to enrich uranium to make it weapons grade. Subramanian was close to panic while speaking to TOI over telephone, pleading his innocence, saying he has committed no crime.

"I largely supply coils to Singapore and Korea. I have never traded in China. I only once left my visiting card at a trade fair there. It seems they used my information from the card on the website," said Subramanian. He does business also in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Subramanian's problems seem to have stemmed from Jahan Tech Rooyan Pars having posted the enquiry . In 2012, it was 'sanctioned' by Canada over 'nuclear proliferation' concerns. According to the ISIS report, specifications for ring magnets mentioned in the trade query matched those used in IR 1 centrifuges for uranium enrichment.

'Shouldn't I do business?'

Although the ISIS report does not offer any evidence to show Ferrito Plastronics ever supplied to the Iranian company or showed any interest in the query for ring magnets, it has mentioned the Chennai firm in the context of how dubious companies floated by Iran use certain channels to procure nuclear equipment from different sources while routing supplies through China, using its lax trade controls.

Founder and president of ISIS David Albright has said both Indian and Chinese governments should warn companies that there is zero tolerance for any of their domestic companies entering into such transactions.

A panicky Subramanian wondered what was wrong in a foreign company making an enquiry. "Shouldn't I do any business," he asked while maintaining he had nothing to do with nuclear-related magnets.

Subramanian's defence seems genuine, but Albright points out that small companies like Ferrito Plastronics could be used to procure the magnets from larger manufacturers. "I don't manufacture magnets. I source from a company (Winner Electricals) based in New Delhi. Also, we can't match prices of China. I largely supply in Tamil Nadu and Kerala," he claimed.

ISIS is a globally recognized institution dedicated to informing the public about science and policy issues affecting international security. Its primary focus is on stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and related technology, bringing about greater transparency in nuclear activities worldwide, strengthening the international non-proliferation regime and achieving reductions in nuclear arsenals, according to its website.

Claiming that his company's monthly turnover was "a mere Rs 1 lakh", Subramanian said. "The magnets we deal with are used in almirahs, loud speakers and in the field of medical therapy. Why should I be hounded when I have committed no crime?"

Global watchdog sees Chennai’s tiny shop as supplier to Iran’s nuclear programme - The Times of India

 

[kurup]

As usual windjammer changing the title to suit his fantasies....and It is against forum rules.

Orginal headlines : Global watchdog sees Chennai’s tiny shop as supplier to Iran’s nuclear programme


This tiny shop is supporting Iran's nuclear programme.....

The news should be in the stupid and funny section.

 

[notsuperstitious]

As always the usual trolling attempt by changing thread name by the usual suspect. Obvious troll is obvious and pathetic.

 

[Srinivas]

As usual windjammer changing the title to suit his fantasies....and It is against forum rules.

Orginal headlines : Global watchdog sees Chennai’s tiny shop as supplier to Iran’s nuclear programme


This tiny shop is supporting Iran's nuclear programme.....

The news should be in the stupid and funny section.

Great Post mate

@Windjammer Go and cry out loud, India is not Pakistan in this case and nobody will care about your expose.

I would say Iran is a responsible power and a great empire in the past.

 

[Mech]

As always the usual trolling attempt by changing thread name by the usual suspect. Obvious troll is obvious.

The Indian-connection. Makes for a new bond movie i think.

On-topic, i recommend our esteemed "elite" member @Windjammer a box of ex-lax to relieve a century worth of "jammed winds".

 

[Windjammer]

Typical Indian escape by not focusing on the topic but the messenger, an ostrich will always be an ostrich.

Last time i checked, Chennai was in India unless all Indians have shifted to Mars.

BTW, the link is also from an Indian source.

 

[KRAIT]

@Windjammer EPIC FAIL

Although the ISIS report does not offer any evidence to show Ferrito Plastronics ever supplied to the Iranian company or showed any interest in the query for ring magnets, it has mentioned the Chennai firm in the context of how dubious companies floated by Iran use certain channels to procure nuclear equipment from different sources while routing supplies through China, using its lax trade controls.

Founder and president of ISIS David Albright has said both Indian and Chinese governments should warn companies that there is zero tolerance for any of their domestic companies entering into such transactions.

"The magnets we deal with are used in almirahs, loud speakers and in the field of medical therapy. Why should I be hounded when I have committed no crime?"


Its like blaming a country that supplies fertilizers to a nation and people from that nation use it for building bombs. Or blaming Russia for all AK-47 used by terrorists which they get through dubious channels from arms dealer.

At least read the news carefully and understand what it meant.

 

[Skull and Bones]

@KRAIT

You killed the fun, i hate you.

 

[Green Hornet]

This Windjammer guy got his wind jammed both in his head and between his legs.

Pathetic effort to paint india in the same color as of pakistan, a country which cannot built even a fooljhadi but is able to built a nuclear bomb.

 

[Gandalf]

TOIlet Media article by Windspammer:

This is what Western Media(The finest media in the world has got to say):

Iran Using China To Smuggle Nuclear Material? David Albright's ISIS Report Raises Concerns.
Agence France Presse | By
Posted: 02/14/2013 9:02 pm EST

Iran tried to smuggle thousands of specialized magnets through China for its centrifuges, in an effort to speed its path to reaching nuclear weapons capability, according to a new US report.

The report, by a renowned American nuclear scientist, said the operation highlighted the importance of China as a transit point for Iran's nuclear program, and called for sanctions against any Chinese firms involved.

The Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) report said an Iranian front company used a Chinese commercial website to try to acquire 100,000 ring-shaped magnets, which it is banned from importing under United Nations sanctions, in late 2011.

Two magnets were needed for each of 50,000 first-generation centrifuges used to enrich uranium at Iran's nuclear plants, in a process that Western powers say is designed to build nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

The ISIS report by US scientist David Albright suggested that the operation meant that Iran was trying to "greatly expand" its number of first-generation centrifuges even as it builds more advanced machines.

"China needs to do more to show that it is a responsible member of the global economy," the report said.

"In particular, it should crack down on the efforts of Iranian smuggling networks."

The ISIS said it could not establish whether Iran found a Chinese supplier willing to provide the ring magnets.

The Washington Post, which first reported the ISIS report, quoted a European diplomat with access to intelligence as saying Iran was positioning itself to make swift progress on its nuclear program.

"Each step forward makes the situation potentially more dangerous," the unnamed diplomat was quoted as saying.

The White House would not comment explicitly on the ISIS report but said that it was aware of Iran's "aggressive" efforts to avert UN sanctions.

"The unprecedented international sanctions put in place against Iran are not only designed to crystallize the choice for the Iranian regime regarding its nuclear program, but also to deter and disrupt Iranian procurement of components to support its nuclear program," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

The report will raise new concerns about the extent of progress in Iran's nuclear program, despite international sanctions, which will be at the top of the agenda when President Barack Obama visits Israel next month.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Iran was now closer to crossing the "red line" after which it would be able to build a nuclear weapon but had not yet reached that stage.

It will also raise the stakes for the latest round of talks between world powers and Tehran, due to take place in two weeks.

Copyright (2013) AFP. All rights reserved.

Iran Using China To Smuggle Nuclear Material? David Albright's ISIS Report Raises Concerns

 

[Sugarcane]

This Windjammer guy got his wind jammed both in his head and between his legs.

Pathetic effort to paint india in the same color as of pakistan, a country which cannot built even a fooljhadi but is able to built a nuclear bomb.

Source is Time of India

Its time to annex India.

Annex India with whom? Sri Lanka, Bangladesh or China?

 

[manojb]

The Indian-connection. Makes for a new bond movie i think.

On-topic, i recommend our esteemed "elite" member @Windjammer a box of ex-lax to relieve a century worth of "jammed winds".

its daily thing u know.. ex-lax is temporary soln ..

 

[Green Hornet]

Source is Time of India

And this got pakistanis excited enough to do a "MANASIK HASTHMAITHUN"??

 

[Sugarcane]

And this got pakistanis excited enough to do a "MANASIK HASTHMAITHUN"??

Same as Express Turbine's blog and stories do to Indians?

 

[Windjammer]

@KRAIT,

It's now evidently essential that you add another "T" with your title to represent your acute trolling feature in every subject and thread. Before gloryfying yourself in big red fonts, you should have noticed that i didn't even add any POV to the subject.
But as the saying goes....Josh mein, admi housh khou betatha hey. !!