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Progress made in settling differences over Iran`s nuclear program

IRNA

Moscow, Sept 9, Itar-Tass/ACSNA/IRNA -- Reports coming in from the 
Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters 
indicate positive shifts in the settlement of differences over the 
future of Iran`s nuclear program and in the provision of reliable IAEA
control over the entire process, an official at the Russian Ministry 
of Atomic Energy told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. 
He said the diplomatic sources in Vienna close to the IAEA circles
had expressed confidence that Iran was ready to get down to talks with
the IAEA and to sign a supplementary protocol to the Treaty on the 
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. As a result, IAEA inspectors 
will have a chance to inspect Iran`s nuclear facilities without prior 
notice and to conduct soil, water and air probes. 
The Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy believes that Iran will be 
able to conduct constructive work with IAEA and to expand its nuclear 
energy cooperation with Russia if the two sides find a positive and 
mutually suitable solution. 
At the same time, the Ministry of Atomic Energy official told 
Itar-Tass that a decision to put off the date for signing a protocol 
on the return of Spent Nuclear Fuel from the nuclear power station in 
Bushehr should not be linked to the discussion of Iran`s nuclear 
program at the IAEA. 
Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev said before 
his departure for Hungary that the preparation and signing of the 
Russian-Iranian protocol on the return of Spent Nuclear Fuel from the 
nuclear power station in Bushehr was a technical matter. He expressed 
the hope that the document would most likely be signed in Moscow soon.
In the meantime, well-informed Moscow diplomatic sources noted in 
interviews with Itar-Tass that the `soft` draft of a resolution on 
Iran`s nuclear program would most likely be passed in Vienna before 
the end of this week. 
That would persuade the Iranian leaders to step up their decision 
on signing a protocol on safeguards with the IAEA. 
The same sources believe that the United States hasn`t enlisted 
the support of the majority of the 35 members of the IAEA Board of 
Governors required for the adoption of the initial `tough` version of 
the resolution, suggesting that the Iranian issue should be considered
at the next session of the UN Security Council. 
/AH/210 
End