Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE= 10/14/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= IRAN/NUCLEAR (SHORT ONLY)

NUMBER=2-308662

BYLINE= JAMES MARTONE

DATELINE= CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The head of the United Nations nuclear monitoring agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, is meeting with Iranian officials in Tehran to press for full disclosure their nuclear program. The visit comes ahead of an October 31st deadline set by the International Atomic Energy Agency for Iran to prove it does not have a secret nuclear weapons program. James Martone reports from VOA's Middle East Bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Ali Akbar Salehi, says he is hopeful the talks with Mr. ElBaradei will succeed. He told the Reuters news agency he expects the visit to be positive, and he expressed the hope that these talks will resolve all the issues in dispute.

On route to Tehran Wednesday, Mr. ElBaradei said Iran should not expect an extension of the October 31st deadline to answer questions regarding its nuclear program. He called for total transparency in Iran's nuclear program, and faster movement in that direction by Iranian officials.

Iran says its nuclear program, which includes the development of enriched uranium, is only for peaceful purposes, like providing energy. But the United States claims Iran is pursuing a clandestine nuclear weapons program, and other nations are also concerned, resulting in last month's IAEA vote to set the deadline.

If the agency's board is not satisfied with Iran's answers by the end of the month, it could refer the issue to the United Nations Security Council. (signed)

NEB/JM/AWP