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NAM states resist IAEA`s tough resolution on Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, March 13, IRNA -- The non-aligned countries squared up here 
Saturday against a strong-worded resolution on Iran, saying there is 
no evidence to date to show that Tehran`s nuclear program is related 
to an atomic weapons program. 
Issuing a statement ahead of the resolution`s approval by the 
nuclear watchdog`s board of governors, they also welcomed Iran`s 
pledge for full transparency and cooperation with the International 
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 
The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries said they had reached a 
compromise to accept the resolution with the exception of the decision
to defer until the board`s June meeting progress in verifying Iran`s 
declarations. 
NAM said it interpreted the decision `to mean that the board of 
governors shall reach conclusions at the June meeting on the basis 
of the Director General (of the IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei)`s next 
report` on Iran`s nuclear activities. 
Tehran says its nuclear program is aimed at peaceful intentions, 
to generate electricity when the country`s fossilized resources 
diminish. 
The Islamic Republic voluntarily suspended its nuclear enrichment 
on December 29, 2003 and signed an additional protocol to the 
non-proliferation treaty, allowing snap inspections. 
NAM said it `underscores that this voluntary gesture is only 
aimed as a confidence building measure, intended for the prompt 
closure of the issue`. 
"NAM believes that full transparency and cooperation of Iran is 
a welcome development and should lead to a new chapter of interaction 
between Iran and the (International Atomic Energy) Agency," the 
statement said. 
The 35-member board of governors decided on Saturday to withhold 
response to the nature of the Islamic Republic`s nuclear activities 
until receiving a report which, it asked IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei 
to compile before the end of May. 
The resolution, issued without a vote, came following intensive 
closed-door negotiations, amid the US-led lobby to send a 
strong-worded message to Tehran. 
In issuing the resolution, the board of governors noted `with 
satisfaction that Iran signed the Additional Protocol on December 18, 
2003 and ... committed itself to acting in accordance with the 
provisions of the protocol`. 
The board also took note of Iran`s voluntary decision to suspend 
all uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, saying it 
`constitutes useful steps`. 
But, it said it `noted with serious concern` what it called 
Tehran`s omission of any reference `to its possession of P-2 
centrifuge design drawings and to associated research, manufacturing, 
and mechanical testing activities`. 
The resolution was issued apparently after a deal was struck, 
making its tone softer. The resolution, however, seems only slightly 
changed from what was originally drafted by Canada and Australia. 
Iran`s IAEA ambassador, Pirooz Hosseini, on Wednesday denounced 
the draft nuclear resolution on Iran, saying it was `tough and 
one-sided`. 
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi had warned IAEA against taking any
`wrong` decision, clarifying that such decisions will force us to 
react`. 
"While we have rendered our best cooperation with the agency 
(IAEA) and continued our negotiations with the Europeans but ... 
unfortunately the agency is sometimes influenced by America," he said 
on Wednesday. 
BH/214 
End