US to seek help over Iranian nukes
From correspondents in Washington
September 5, 2003
CONCERN about Iran's nuclear program is prompting the United States to consult with other nations on how the international watchdog agency can apply restraints.
The result could be a proposed resolution for the meeting in Vienna of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"We would look for the board to take appropriate action," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said. He did not elaborate, saying only "the board can take actions of various kinds."
Nor would he or other State Department officials describe what the resolution might say. There apparently was no decision yet within the department.
A diplomat at UN headquarters in New York said the United States is trying to decide whether to seek an immediate resolution declaring that Iran is not complying with its obligations to be open to UN inspections of its nuclear activities, or whether to press for a resolution of condemnation that would warn Iran to come into compliance.
US officials are sounding out other nations on the 35-member board of governors of the IAEA to see which resolution would get consensus, said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. If the United States opts for a resolution of condemnation, it still could seek a tougher noncompliance resolution at the board's November meeting if Iran does not come into compliance, the diplomat said.
American diplomats approached other governments last week and again this week, telling them it was time for the IAEA to report Iran's noncompliance with inspection requirements to the United Nations, a senior U.S. official said.
In Paris, meanwhile, U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton was holding parallel talks about Iran with officials from nations attending a conference designed to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.
Iran's president said his country was not seeking to make atomic weapons, but he insisted on a right to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Mohammad Khatami's comments followed a meeting in Tehran with European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, who urged Iran to clear up questions about its nuclear program and allow unfettered inspections of related sites.
Mohammed ElBaradei, chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has said traces of weapons-grade uranium have been found at a nuclear facility at Natanz in central Iran.
But it was not clear what the watchdog agency could do about it. ElBaradei has said the IAEA needs more power and more cooperation to deal with Iran and North Korea.
He said they "have been giving the international community the run-around" on nuclear programs and possible weapons ambitions.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair urged Iran to permit rigorous inspections of its nuclear sites and to stop supporting terror groups.
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7173065%255E1702,00.htmlIran, Russia mull spent fuel return
Moscow, Sept 6 - Iran's Ambassador to Moscow Gholam-Reza Shafeie and Russian Nuclear Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev here on Friday discussed the return of Bushehr nuclear power plant's spent fuel to Russia.
Shafeie and Rumyantsev also held talks on conclusion of an additional protocol on the return of used nuclear fuel from the power plant to Russia and also on a concrete date of signing the additional protocol.
Iranian and Russian experts are busy investigating the original text of the additional protocol, that is to be signed in the coming days.
http://www.iribnews.com/Full_en.asp?news_id=187391&n=14