Iran Says Nuclear Program Near Complete

TEHRAN, Iran — President Ahmadinejad yesterday said Iran would soon celebrate completion of its nuclear fuel program. “With the wisdom and resistance of the nation, today our position has stabilized. I’m very hopeful that we will be able to hold the big celebration of Iran’s full nuclearization in the current year,” the hard-line president said, referring to the country’s nuclear fuel program. Iran’s current calendar year ends on March 20.

— Associated Press

Hamas Group Hints At Compromise on Israel

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas said yesterday that it would not recognize Israel’s right to exist even after a new national unity government takes power but suggested that the emerging coalition would be free to stake out a more moderate position. Hamas apparently hopes this ambiguity will allow it to preserve its anti-Israel ideology but open the door to an easing of crippling international sanctions, imposed to pressure the current, Hamas-led government to moderate. Despite the sanctions, Hamas has repeatedly rejected international demands to recognize Israel, renounce violence, and respect past peace accords.

— Associated Press

Gunmen Kidnap Up to 150 in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Gunmen dressed as police commandos kidnapped up to 150 staff and visitors in a lightning raid on a Baghdad research institute yesterday, the largest mass abduction since the start of the American occupation. Three of those taken were later released. Iraq’s higher education minister immediately ordered all universities closed until security improvements are made, saying he was “not ready to see more professors get killed.” I have only one choice, which is to suspend classes at universities. We have no other choice,” Abed Theyab told Parliament. Mr. Theyab said he had repeatedly petitioned for more university security from the ministries of Defense and Interior, who command the police, but had received none.

— Associated Press

Blair Talks to Iraq Policy Review Group

LONDON — Prime Minister Blair of Britain spoke yesterday with the bipartisan American panel conducting a high-stakes review of strategy on Iraq — only weeks after his governing Labour Party voted down a proposal for an inquiry into planning for the occupation. Mr. Blair spoke privately via video link to the Iraq Study Group, headed by a former American secretary of state, James Baker III, and a Democratic former House lawmaker, Lee Hamilton, Mr. Blair’s Downing Street office said. President Bush and senior White House officials met with members of the panel Monday. Mr. Baker’s group, which aims to deliver recommendations on strategy in Iraq to Mr. Bush by the end of the year, has also interviewed outgoing Defense Secretary Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Rice.

— Associated Press