IRAN FINALLY REJECTS IAEA PLAN
PanARMENIAN.Net
27.11.2009 15:14 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency
says the organization has reached a dead end in a probe into Iran’s
nuclear program. The IAEA’s board is meeting to consider a resolution
condemning Iran’s nuclear program.
In remarks to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board, IAEA
chief Mohamed ElBaradei expressed frustration over Iran’s failure to
cooperate with the Vienna-based agency. Mr. ElBaradei leaves office at
the end of November, and his remarks have grown sharply more critical
of Iran in recent months.
On Thursday, he said he was disappointed that Iran had not agreed
on a deal to further enrich its uranium overseas. The deal has
the support of the United States, Russia and France and it aims to
provide a safeguard that Iran’s uranium is not being used to make a
nuclear weapon.
"In my view the proposed agreement presents a unique opportunity after
many years of animosity and hostility to address a humanitarian need
and create a space for negotiation. This opportunity should be seized
and it would be highly regrettable if it was missed," he said.
Mr. ElBaradei also criticized Iran for hiding its efforts to build a
uranium enrichment site until early September. Iran began building the
site two years ago, and he says, plans to make it operational by 2011.
"Iran’s late declaration of the new facility reduces confidence in
the absence of other nuclear facilities under construction in Iran
which have not been declared by the agency," he added.
Mr. ElBaradei’s comments come as the IAEA board is considering a draft
resolution on Iran. According to press reports, the draft urges Iran to
halt construction of the uranium enrichment site and to confirm that
it has no other hidden nuclear activities. Diplomats are reportedly
confident the measure will be passed. But Iran’s ambassador to the
IAEA told a German newspaper that Tehran would reduce its cooperation
with the IAEA to a minimum if that happens, VOA News reported.