Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=11-12-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-S-Iran Nuclear (S-Only)

NUMBER=309766

BYLINE=David Gollust

DATELINE=State Department

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A senior State Department official took strong issue Wednesday with an International Atomic Energy Agency report concluding there is no evidence that Iran has a covert nuclear weapons program. Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs John Bolton says the I-A-E-A assessment is "impossible to believe." VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: The Bush administration has long held that Iran's nominally-peaceful nuclear program conceals a secret weapons effort. And Mr. Bolton is making clear that assessment stands despite the I-A-E-A report released Monday, which accused Iran of two decades of secret nuclear activity but said there was no evidence of a bomb project.

In remarks prepared for a Washington speech that officials said were approved at the highest level, Mr. Bolton said Iran has enriched uranium and re-processed plutonium in what he said "can only be" an attempt to build a capacity for nuclear weapons.

He said the I-A-E-A report confirms that Iran has been engaged in such activities for many years and has "deliberately and repeatedly" lied to the U-N agency about it.

Mr. Bolton reiterated the U-S call on the I-A-E-A governing board to hold Iran accountable when it meets next week in Vienna, and be prepared to declare it in non-compliance with its international obligations, action that could lead to U-N sanctions. (Signed)

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