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UN:
STATEMENT BY IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL MOHAMED ELBARADEI ON NEW U.S.
INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE ON IRAN:
01/12/2007 (MaximsNews Network)
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UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network /
- 04 December 2007 -- IAEA
Director General Mohamed ElBaradei received with great interest the new U.S.
National Intelligence Estimate about Iran's nuclear program which concludes that
there has been no on-going nuclear weapons program in Iran since the fall of
2003.
He notes in
particular that the Estimate tallies with the Agency's consistent statements
over the last few years that, although Iran still needs to clarify some
important aspects of its past and present nuclear activities, the Agency has no
concrete evidence of an ongoing nuclear weapons program or undeclared nuclear
facilities in Iran.
The Director General believes that this new assessment by the U.S. should help
to defuse the current crisis. At the same time, it should prompt Iran to work
actively with the IAEA to clarify specific aspects of its past and present
nuclear program as outlined in the work plan and through the implementation of
the additional protocol. This would allow the Agency to provide the required
assurances regarding the nature of the program.
While calling on Iran to accelerate
its cooperation with the Agency, in view of the new U.S. Estimate, the Director
General urges all parties concerned to enter without delay into negotiations.
Such negotiations are needed to build confidence about the future direction of
Iran's nuclear program - concern about which has been repeatedly expressed by
the Security Council. They are also needed to bring about a comprehensive and
durable solution that would normalise the relationship between Iran and the
international community.
The International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) serves as the world's foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and
technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established as
an autonomous organization under the United Nations (UN) in 1957, the IAEA
carries out programmes to maximize the useful contribution of nuclear technology
to society while verifying its peaceful use.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional
information visit the Press Section of the IAEA's website (http://www.iaea.org/Resources/Journalists/),
or call the IAEA's Division of Public Information at (431) 2600-21270.
Related Resources:
» IAEA
& Iran in Focus
Press Office
Division of Public Information
[43-1] 2600-21273
press at iaea.org
US
intelligence on Iran’s nuclear programme should spur talks, says UN official
UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network /
- 04 December 2007 -- A
recently-released United States intelligence report concluding that there has
been no ongoing nuclear weapons programme in Iran since the fall of 2003 tallies
with the findings of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
its Director-General said today, calling for all parties concerned to enter into
negotiations.
Mohamed ElBaradei said in a statement
that the National Intelligence Estimate “should help to defuse the current
crisis.”
Iran “still needs to clarify some
important aspects of its past and present nuclear activities,” he said.
The intelligence should also “prompt
Iran to work actively with the IAEA to clarify specific aspects of its past and
present nuclear program as outlined in the work. This would allow the Agency to
provide the required assurances regarding the nature of the programme.”
Iranian authorities have stated that
their nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes, but other countries contend
that it is driven by military ambitions.
The country’s nuclear programme has
been a matter of international concern since the discovery in 2003 that it had
concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under
the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
In light of the new Estimate, Mr.
ElBaradei urged all parties – as soon as possible – to enter negotiations,
“which are needed to build confidence about the future direction of Iran’s
nuclear programme” and address the concerns repeatedly expressed by the
Security Council.
Talks are also necessary to generate a
“comprehensive and durable solution that would normalise the relationship
between Iran and the international community,” he said.
Last December, the Security Council
adopted a resolution banning trade with Iran in all items, materials, equipment,
goods and technology which could contribute to the country’s
enrichment-related, reprocessing or heavy water-related activities, or to the
development of nuclear weapon delivery systems. It tightened the measures in
March, banning arms sales and expanding the freeze on assets.
This September, Mr. ElBaradei welcomed
Iran’s agreement on a timeline to address all outstanding issues regarding the
country’s nuclear programme.
Labels: United
Nations, U.N., IAEA,
Iran, U.S.
Intelligence Estimates
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