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West unimpressed by Iran's 'charm offensive'
Photo: AP

IAEA reaffirms concern over Iran nuke program

Western envoy dismisses Iran 'charm offensive,' upcoming report to highlight nuke worries

An Iranian effort to show rare openness about its disputed nuclear program is doing little to dispel Western suspicions about Tehran's atomic ambitions, with one Vienna-based envoy dismissing it as just a "charm offensive."

 

Diplomats said they believed the UN nuclear watchdog would once again highlight concern about possible military aspects to Iran's nuclear activities in its latest quarterly report, due to be submitted to member states in the next few days.

 

Ynetnews coverage of Iran threat:

 

"I expect it will be a bit tougher than the last one. Still a number of outstanding matters related to PMD (possible military dimensions) that Iran refuses to answer," a Western envoy told Reuters on Thursday.

 

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at uranium enrichment plant (Photo: AP)
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at uranium enrichment plant (Photo: AP)
 

Another diplomat painted a similar picture, saying Tehran had failed to address the IAEA's core concerns.

 

The UN International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) - tasked with ensuring that nuclear technology is not diverted for military aims - has repeatedly complained about Iran's lack of cooperation over allegations of military-linked nuclear work.

 

In previous reports, the IAEA has in vain urged Tehran to provide prompt access to sites, equipment, documents and people relevant for its probe.

 

'100% transparency, openness'

In a move that Iran said showed the country's "100% transparency and openness," it allowed a senior IAEA inspector to tour the Islamic state's main atomic facilities last month, including one for developing advanced enrichment machines.

 

The IAEA has been trying since 2008 to gain access to sites linked to the manufacture of centrifuges used to refine uranium - material which can have both civilian and military purposes - but Iran had until now ignored the requests.

 

Tehran last week also signaled some flexibility in responding to IAEA questions, with state television quoting a top nuclear official as saying the agency should present "their main claims" together with relevant evidence and documents.

 

But the Western envoy suggested Iran was merely using an old tactic to ward off any harsher international pressure on the country, while pressing ahead with its nuclear work.

 

"The Iranians' recent charm offensive has not changed the Agency's view on what Iran still needs to do," he said.

 

For several years, the IAEA has been investigating Western intelligence reports indicating Iran has coordinated efforts to process uranium, test high explosives and revamp a ballistic missile cone to accommodate a nuclear warhead.

 

Iran rejects the allegations as forged and baseless.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.01.11, 17:38
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