Iran Nuclear Row Deepens

Iran Nuclear Row Deepens

Iran threatened yesterday to halt UN spot checks of its nuclear sites after
the UN watchdog passed a resolution requiring Tehran to be reported to the
Security Council over its atomic plans.

Some commentators in Iran expressed surprise over how some countries that
had voiced support for its nuclear stance had voted at the meeting of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

China, Russia and South Africa, which had supported Iran, abstained from the
vote. Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki had rejected as illegal
the resolution that called on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment-related
activities until it proves they are peaceful and resume talks with France,
Britain and Germany.

He said now Iran had no reason to implement the Additional Protocol to the
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that allows the UN to make spot checks of
nuclear facilities.

The protocol has not yet been ratified by parliament.
"Iran has no legal commitment to continue implementation of the Additional
Protocol," ISNA quoted Mottaki as saying.

Mottaki predicted a rough ride at the next IAEA board of governors meeting
in November, when the case could be referred to the Security Council.

"We will use all diplomatic measures to preserve our right (to have nuclear
technology)," he said.

Iran denies it is seeking atomic bombs and says its nuclear programme is
only for generating electricity.

But it concealed its atomic fuel programme from the IAEA for 18 years.

Mottaki said Iran had no intention to pull out of the NPT if it falls foul
of the Security Council.

Iran had expected stronger backing at the IAEA.
Russia, which is helping Iran build a nuclear power station, was diplomatic
in its assessment, saying it hoped its abstention showed dissatisfaction
with some "disputable variants on settling the situation", but that the
resolution would lead to further talks to settle questions over Iran's
nuclear work.

South Africa said it regretted the division and lack of time given to
reaching a consensus.

Monday : 26/09/2005

http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/engblue/article.php?lang=E&id=99697


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