• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Moussavian: Suspension a voluntary decision by Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, Sept 13, IRNA -- Spokesman of the Iranian delegation to the 
sixth session of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic 
Energy Agency (IAEA), Hossein Moussavian, said here Monday that 
since the beginning, suspension has been a voluntary decision of the 
part of Iran in a bid to build confidence. 
Moussavian told reporters on sidelines of the IAEA Board meeting 
that Iran had decided after conclusion of Tehran declaration with 
European trio on October 21, 2003, to voluntarily suspend the uranium 
enrichment program. 
"We have done maximum confidence building measures since October 
2003," said Moussavian. 
"We have signed protocols and we have implemented protocols, we 
have issued declarations, we have provided inspectors` full access 
to the sites, we have agreed with the complementary access." 
The IAEA inspectors have over the past few months had 
complementary access to the sites on 13 occasions which is something 
unprecedented in the IAEA history, he reiterated. 
"They have had about 800-man a day inspection to Iran during the 
past one year, therefore we believe that enough confidence about 
enrichment program of Iran has been built with the Agency," the envoy 
emphasized. 
The main issue of suspension practically is introduction of 
material to centrifuges which has been suspended by the Islamic 
Republic of Iran, he added. 
"We believe that the voluntary suspension by Iran is aimed at 
building confidence on the peaceful nature of Iran`s nuclear (uranium)
enrichment. The main issue of suspension is introduction of gas which 
is suspended but we believe that the suspension can not last for 
ever," the Iranian envoy added. 
"It can be continued just for a short period of time to build 
confidence and we have taken all necessary steps in order to give IAEA
enough confidence." 
IAEA, today, has full control over all enrichment activities of 
the Islamic Republic of Iran, Moussavian said stressing that the 
enrichment is the legitimate right of all members therefore no one can
challenge Tehran`s legitimate right. 
"I believe that every thing would be finalized by November," he 
underscored. 
On the issue of conversion, Moussavian stressed that in its 
reports, the IAEA has welcomed Tehran declaration and has gone to 
the normal procedure of safeguard. 
As to the issue of the Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) project 
in Isfahan, in central Iran, Moussavian said the project, has since 
the very beginning been under full supervision of the IAEA and within 
framework of the safeguard agreement. 
Asked by an Arab reporter whether Israel was lobbying against 
Iran`s nuclear program, Moussavian responded, "sure". 
1422/1420