Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=6/15/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAN / IAEA (L-ONLY) CQ

NUMBER=2-316729

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

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HEADLINE: Iran Warns Europeans on Nuclear Criticism

INTRO: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami warns Europe's big powers that continued pressure on Tehran to alter its nuclear program may jeopardize its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. But, as V.O.A.'s Greg LaMotte reports from our Middle East bureau in Cairo, experts see President Khatami's warning as little more than a political ploy.

TEXT: President Khatami is reported to have sent a letter to the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany warning them that continued criticisms of Iran's nuclear program would harm mutual trust and Tehran's cooperation with international nuclear inspectors.

The International Atomic Energy Agency is considering a tough resolution drawn up by the Europeans that sharply criticizes Tehran for not fully cooperating with the nuclear agency. Several senior Iranian government officials also threatened to reconsider Iran's cooperation with nuclear inspectors.

Cairo University lecturer and expert on Iranian affairs, Amal Hamada, says Tehran's latest threats are little more than political posturing.

/// HAMADA ACT ///

They can not be that bold because they are aware of the political consequences behind not doing it with the international agency. So, I think, if you read the history of the Iranian cooperation, or dealings, with the I.A.E.A. international agency, it has always been like this: We will not sign, we will not sign unless you do something. And, the international agency would come up with a recommendation that is not as tough as the U.S. wants it. And, then they submit. It has always been like this. So, they will do it at the end, but they are trying to get the best out of this if they can.

/// END ACT ///

The head of the center for Asian studies at Cairo University, Mohammed el-Sayed Selim, is also an expert on Iran. He says Iran has every right to develop nuclear technology, but believes Tehran will, in the end, comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, known as N.P.T.

/// SELIM ACT ///

This is a game and each one wants to use all its bargaining chips in order to get the best option. So, these Iranian threats are part of this political bargaining. I do not believe Iran will withdraw from the N.P.T. or honor their threats. I think this is sort of political bargaining in order to reach a situation in which Iran would apply the N.P.T. as it was stipulated in 1968.

/// END ACT ///

Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi says Iran has no plans to produce nuclear weapons.

Tehran insists its nuclear program is solely for the peaceful production of electricity. But other countries, including the United States, have accused Iran of trying to conceal a nuclear weapons program.

The I.A.E.A., whose board of directors is meeting in Vienna this week, is expected to adopt a resolution that rebukes Iran for failing to fully disclose its nuclear activities, but stops short of calling for U.N. sanctions against Tehran. (SIGNED)

NEB/GL/MAR/RAE/KBK