IAEA Debates Iran Nuclear Situation
VOA News
18 Jun 2003, 16:56 UTC
The United States tells the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency that Iran's nuclear program is reason for "grave concern."
Speaking in Vienna Wednesday at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. representative Kenneth Brill told the agency that Iran must submit to more intrusive inspections of its nuclear facilities.
Mr. Brill made the remarks during a debate on a report by the IAEA that claims Iran has failed to honor promises to disclose information on the import, processing and storage of nuclear materials.
Iran's representative, Ali Akbar Salehi, dismissed U.S. accusations, saying the acquisition, development and use of nuclear weapons contradicts Iran's moral principles.
The U.N. nuclear watchdog must now decide how to react to the report by its advisers. Analysts say a strong resolution condemning Tehran and demanding it allow more inspections is unlikely to pass. A weaker statement is much more likely.
The developments in Vienna follow protests in Tehran by hundreds of Iranians demanding greater freedom from Islamic clerical rule.
Demonstrations took place Tuesday night around Tehran University for the eighth consecutive night.
The official Iranian news agency (IRNA) says similar demonstrations were held in at least six other cities. But the report says the number of people joining the rallies appears to be dwindling.
Protesters have been expressing anger at both the government of President Mohammad Khatami as well as un-elected Islamic clerics who have been blocking the president's efforts at reform.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday the Iranian people were dissatisfied and were demonstrating for their rights. He rejected Tehran's charge that Washington had instigated the marches.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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