Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=9/26/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IAEA / IRAN (L O)

NUMBER=2-307952

BYLINE=MELANIE SULLY

DATELINE=VIENNA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The International Atomic Energy Agency says its planned visit to Iran next week has been postponed at the request of Tehran. Melanie Sully reports from I-A-E-A headquarters in Vienna, Western diplomats say the delay raises questions about Tehran's credibility.

TEXT: Two senior I-A-E-A experts were to leave for Tehran Sunday, and a follow-up team was to join them next week.

But the Iranians said they want more time to prepare for the inspections, and have asked the I-A-E-A for at least another week. Iran has until the end of October to answer all the agency's questions on its nuclear program, which it claims is purely peaceful.

The I-A-E-A says its scientists want to discuss inconsistencies in Iran's account of tests on gas centrifuges that could be used for a nuclear weapons program.

The delay follows media reports that international inspectors have found more traces of highly enriched uranium at locations in Iran.

Western diplomats say Iran could provide all the information the agency is seeking relatively quickly, and see the delay as adding to an already big "confidence deficit."

I-A-E-A spokesman Mark Gwozdecky says this is not the first time Tehran has delayed a visit from the agency.

/// GWOZDECKY ACT ///

A year ago -- almost exactly -- we had the first revelations of these new facilities in Iran, and a year later, we're still proceeding in a very unsatisfactory manner. First, they brought us there in February -- after a long delay, they finally allowed (I-A-E-A chief Mohamed) ElBaradei to go in February.

/// END ACT ///

The I-A-E-A is hoping this new delay will still give its experts enough time to analyze material, and make a report for the next Board of Governors meeting at the end of November.

Iran has just lost its seat on the board, due to a normal rotation in membership. So, it will have no vote, if the I-A-E-A decides to refer its nuclear program to the U-N Security Council. (SIGNED)

NEB/MS/MAR/TW/KL