Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/14/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=POWELL / IRAN (L-O)

NUMBER=2-314105

BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Secretary of State Colin Powell says Washington is worried about Iran's nuclear program after that country canceled the return of international inspectors. V-O-A's Stephanie Ho reports from Washington.

TEXT: Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," Secretary Powell said the United States is not the only country that is concerned.

/// FIRST POWELL ACT ///

We are worried about Iran and we have brought a great deal of international pressure to bear -- the International Atomic Energy Agency, working with our European Union colleagues and working with the Russians.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Powell's remarks follow an I-A-E-A resolution Saturday that condemned Iran for hiding activities believed to be related to developing nuclear weapons. The resolution praised Tehran's increased openness to inspections. But it deplored recent discoveries of key nuclear technology that Iran previously had not mentioned.

In response to the I-A-E-A resolution, Tehran has indefinitely postponed any inspections, saying future cooperation would have to be renegotiated.

Iran insists its nuclear activities are for electricity generation. The United States suspects Iran of having a secret nuclear weapons program.

In Washington Sunday, Secretary Powell warned that the International Atomic Energy Agency will be reviewing Iran's case to see if any progress has been made during meetings in June.

/// SECOND POWELL ACT ///

If the I-A-E-A finds their (Iran's) actions unsatisfactory, it has the option of referring it to the (U-N) Security Council for action. I won't prejudge now what those actions might be, but the Iranians need to understand that the international community is not going to just sit by idly while they continue to move in the direction of a nuclear weapon.

/// END ACT ///

The agency's director general Mohamed ElBaradei will be in Washington Monday to discuss these recent developments with American officials. (SIGNED)

NEB/SHO/RH