#20 Iran Upset with Russians this Time

Russia has delayed the shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran. Russian state-owned firm Atomstroiexport announced on Monday that a shipment of nuclear fuel would not be delivered as scheduled in March because of delays in payment by Iran. This is a major political blow to the Iranians, coming at a time when pressure is increasing on the one hand, and Iran is becoming ever more defiant on the other. Being a "friendly nation" that stands in the way makes it all the more painful.

In what has become typical for Iranian politicians, harsh words emanated as a result from Teheran. Chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani said the delay was "deplorable," while Iranian lawmaker Rasoul Sediqi Bonabi went as far as to say "Russians are extortionists...Moscow has never been a reliable partner and will never be so in the future."

Nevertheless, Larijani expects the Russians will stick to their side of the bargain, rejecting reports that said Russia would not proceed with the Bushehr plant unless Iran suspends uranium enrichment, as the UN Security Council has repeatedly demanded. "We have not received such a message from Russia," he said. Iran's atomic agency also denies Russia's claim that it is behind on payments, saying it has met all its financial obligations.

#19 US Gets Major Heat for Human Rights Report

Every year the US State Department publishes its human rights report. The report analyzes the human rights situation in almost every country in the world. This year, the report has caused increasing irritation in a number of influential countries.

Responding to U.S. complaints, China charged that the Bush administration has no standing to criticize other countries on human rights because its own record is full of blemishes at home and abroad. "As in previous years, the State Department pointed the finger at human rights conditions in more than 190 countries and regions, including China, but avoided touching on the human rights situation in the United States," the government said in a report issued by Premier Wen Jiabao's office. "We urge the U.S. government to acknowledge its own human rights problems and stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.

Similarly, Moscow criticized the US State Department's annual report on global human rights, saying its assessment of the situation in Russia was skewed, confrontational and aimed at furthering US political interests. In a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow complained that "Washington has long practiced double standards in the sphere of human rights, depending on whether one state or another acts in accordance with (US) political interests...These standards are particularly clearly visible against the background of what is happening now in Iraq, Afghanistan and at the military base in Guantanamo with the participation of the US armed forces."

Even Egypt was offended by the report, reacting angrily to criticism of its human rights record. Foreign Minister Ahmad Aboul-Gheit accused the US of interfering in its affairs. While the report isn't intended to make allies happy, it certainly doesn't seem to be garnering a whole lot of goodwill.