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ElBaradei : Iran moving in the right direction

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Brussels, March 2, IRNA -- The Director General of the International 
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, Tuesday welcomed the 
European initiative on Iran`s nuclear program and noted that the 
Islamic Republic was moving ahead in the right direction. 
ElBaraedi told a small group of reporters in Brussels that in his 
latest report on Iran`s nuclear program "there are good news and bad 
news." 
"The good news is that we are seeing more Iran cooperation, access
to sites, the fact that they have suspended comprehensively their 
enrichment program. That`s all good news," he stressed. 
"The bad news is that there are some R&D (research and 
development) activities that has not been declared as before." 
"We expressed concern about that because Iran said before that 
their declaration in October was comprehensive and complete and 
accurate. That is a sort of a setback in the confidence building that 
we are trying to create," he said. 
ElBaradei is in Brussels to speak at an European energy conference
Tuesday night. 
His report is being considered at the IAEA Board`s next meetings 
beginning 8 March in Vienna. 
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog said he will be having lunch 
later with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. 
"He (Solana) has been quite involved in the whole Iran issue. We 
have been keeping very close contact," he said. 
The Europeans, in particular the UK, Germany and France, have been
working very closely to move forward in the right direction, noted 
ElBaradei. 
"In Iran, we are moving in the right direction if you compare 
where we were a year ago and where we are today. We have now full 
understanding pretty much of Iran`s program." 
"Should Iran continue to cooperate, continue to give all details 
we should be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel." 
He said the initiative by the three European countries "was 
extremely helpful in working with Iran to have a comprehensive 
suspension." 
"At this stage stopping or suspending the enrichment program was 
a very important part of building confidence," noted the IAEA chief.
He said Iran`s commitment to suspend its enrichment program was 
matched by the European side to start a dialogue with Iran for a trade
agreement and for relaxing sanctions on export of control technology. 
"I very much welcome that. We are clearly moving in the right 
direction." 
ElBaradei said he expected a dialogue to start between the EU and 
Iran within a month or two on the trade agreement. 
ElBaradei said he had no doubt that Iran will issue instructions 
in a day or two to suspend its enrichment program. 
NK/216 
End