Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=10/21/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH IRAN (S-O)

NUMBER=2-308910

BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS

DATELINE=SINGAPORE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The White House is welcoming Iran's decision to agree to unannounced inspections by international nuclear regulators and suspend its uranium enrichment program. VOA's Scott Stearns reports from Singapore where President Bush is continuing his tour of Asia.

TEXT: White House spokesman Scott McClellan says Iran's decision is a "positive step" and what is important now is for the country's leaders to follow through with those new commitments.

He says the Bush Administration has been in close contact with European officials who brokered the deal.

An Iranian official said the suspension of the enrichment program is a temporary measure to build trust with the international community. The deal comes ten days before an international deadline for Iran and follows meetings in Tehran Tuesday between Iranian officials and foreign ministers from Britain, France and Germany.

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran must still provide a complete declaration of all its past nuclear activities, as well as official notice it will sign the "additional protocol" to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty allowing for the unannounced inspections.

President Bush says Iran is secretly developing weapons. Iran says its nuclear program is only for generating electricity. (SIGNED)

NEB/PT/KL